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Rolling Stones unreleased: Freeway Jam
Written by: Max Middleton Recorded: RSM Studios, Rotterdam, Holland, Jan-Feb. 1975 (Black and Blue sessions) Guest musicians: Jef Beck (guitar), Max Middleton (keyboards)
From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: Max Middleton was the kaeyboard player for the Jeff Beck Group and he wrote Freeway Jam, which was included on the March 1975 album Blow By Blow. The album reached number 4 in the USA in April. As a jam track it allowed some free-flowing playing on the organ and guitar.
The 1975 Black and Blue sessions in Rotterdam are legendary in Rolling Stones lore, not just because of the album being recorded, but also due to the incredible energy brought by Jeff Beck. These sessions are a moment in time where Beck, a guitar virtuoso, collaborated with the Stones, adding a unique layer to their music during a period of change for the band. It was a transitional phase for the Stones as Mick Taylor had recently left, and they were still finding their new sound with Ronnie Wood settling in. Beck’s contribution in Rotterdam wasn’t just as a guitarist but as a spark that influenced the direction of the album.
In Rotterdam, the vibe was electric. The band, alongside Beck, jammed through different riffs and ideas, blending blues, funk, and rock into something fresh. Beck’s iconic guitar work was a perfect fit for the Stones’ evolving style, adding more texture to the raw sound they were experimenting with. Black and Blue was all about reinvention, and Beck helped shape that atmosphere.
While the full extent of Beck’s contributions to the album wasn’t fully realized until the tracks were completed, his presence in those sessions created an undeniable chemistry. The sessions were filled with improvisation, exploration, and the kind of collaboration that only rock legends like the Stones and Jeff Beck could pull off. It remains a fascinating moment in the band’s history, showcasing their willingness to push boundaries and experiment, even during a time of transition.
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