Descending Scale Review
 

Jazz.com, June 10, 2009

http://jazz.com/music/2009/6/10/pete...scending-scale


Peter Green: Descending Scale

ArtistPeter Green (guitar)

CDThe End of the Game (Warner 926758)

Composed by Peter Green
.
Recorded: London, mid-1969


Rating: 93/100 (learn more)

While there isn't much of a descending scale to speak of on this experimental piece by ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, the musical chaos and concurrent deconstruction into freeform noise, volume swells, and subtle feedback provides more thrills than the story behind the music's creation would lead you to expect.

While Green was considered an acid casualty by many (his music began to reflect spacier influences such as the Grateful Dead), his playing was actually stronger on this cut than on anything he had done before. By assuming a clear leadership role, the music sounds spontaneous and refreshing given that most contemporary album releases never dare to venture into such challenging territory.

Just as no one was expecting much from Peter Green (and, subsequently, nothing was heard from him for several years following this release), his talents as an improviser became more apparent. This track and its respective CD are essential, as the music is so freeform that it classifies as "jazz" by a wide margin and owes much of its appeal to the likes of John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Miles Davis (despite defying the track's title, the ascending, dissonant piano scales sound like staples from the Herbie Hancock/Miles Davis Quintet bag of riffs and fills).

Reviewer: Marcus Singletary

Thanks for spotting this review. There's a review for "Bottoms Up" as well:
http://jazz.com/music/2009/6/10/peter-green-bottoms-up

The reviewer gives this one a rating of 98/100.

Just saw this as I was listening to "Bottoms Up" today. Such amazing playing on this track! If you like the FM jams, but never cared for "End of the Game", go back and listen to this one track. You'll hear things you've never heard him do before or since.

I must say that I've never warmed up to most of The End of the Game, but I find "Bottoms Up" and "Timeless Time" to be my two favorite tracks by far.

End Of The Game
 

I bought the album when it camre out and loved it. Within weeks of buying it I saw Miles Davis perform Bitches Brew" at Carnegie Hall in NYC. I can tell you that that album was every bit as in the "NOW" as hearing miles on stage with an all star cast. It is too bad that people get turned off when they don't hear what they expect out of others. They sometimes miss out on something special.

vinnie c

The End Of The Game is my n.1 album ever....a masterpiece!

I'm still dreaming about its re-release as expanded edition.....

Mario.;)

Would love to see an expanded edition. But I'd also love to hear what a remix DJ could do with this material today.

I wouldn't think you'd get PG to revisit this stuff at all today. But if it did happen, I'm sure it would sell at least 20 copies.

Very good review!
Never saw the parallell to Miles Davis, but it's true, the album is reminiscent of Miles' late 60's quintet, partly thanks to Zoot Money perhaps.

Yes a great, great album! Totally unique sounding and a blend of musical influences that in way defies description.

Say whaaaaa
 

Has anyone heard what greeny thinks of the album? Would like to know whether he thought it was good or not at the time and what he thinks now 30 years later.

I find it a little to unfocused for my tastes although there are some nice moments in it.

+1 I heard that Peter left some of the best material out on 'the end of the game', he chose the cuts where he thought the rhythm section played best. Personally I can't imagine anything better than the original album, but I'd sure like to hear the rest of it!


It's time for a 40th anniversary expanded edition.