Descending Scale Review

[michelej1]

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

[sharksfan2000]

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.

[Mrpeabody]

Originally Posted by sharksfan2000

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.

[sharksfan2000]

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.

[doodyhead]

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

[Mario]

Originally Posted by doodyhead

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.