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Rolling Stones unreleased:Potted Shrimp
Potted Shrimp is one of those Rolling Stones deep-vault gems that instantly makes you wonder how it ever stayed unreleased. Cut during the Sticky Fingers sessions in late 1970, this instrumental captures the band in full exploratory mode—loose, curious, and clearly enjoying the process. Keith Richards’ familiar-yet-unsettling riff collides with Mick Taylor’s wah-wah flourishes, while Nicky Hopkins’ piano glues everything together with elegance and swing. Charlie Watts pushes hard from behind, hinting at the heavier rock feel just around the corner. Playful, slightly odd, and quietly hypnotic, Potted Shrimp offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Stones experimenting without pressure, chasing ideas simply to see where they might lead.
From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: Again an instrumental but featuring one of Keith Richards’ riffs extracted from his extensive repertoire.This time it has an air of familiarity. It worried Keith that he riff he thought to be new may in fact have been a sound taken from his subconscious. The sessions that produced these tracks were strongly influenced by Mick Taylor. It’s his wah-wah lead guitar that rocks most of the tracks against the piano playing of Nicky Hopkins. Charlie Watts was beginning to sound like a heavy rock drummer pounding to keep up with the electric melodies.
Among the Rolling Stones’ vast vault of unreleased tracks,Potted Shrimp stands out as a quirky yet captivating relic from the Sticky Fingers sessions. Recorded at London’s Olympic Sound Studios in October 1970, this instrumental track showcases the playful experimentation that defined this era. Keith Richards’ riffs weave through the song with a strange sense of déjà vu—he himself worried that some of the licks might have been plucked from his subconscious rather than consciously composed. The track also bears the unmistakable mark of Mick Taylor, whose wah-wah guitar lines add texture and flair against Nicky Hopkins’ fluid piano, creating a layered, dynamic soundscape.
Meanwhile, Charlie Watts’ drumming begins to hint at the heavier rock style that would dominate the Stones’ electric performances, pounding and pushing to keep pace with the cascading melodies. The result is a rare glimpse into the band’s creative process, where experimentation, virtuosity, and playful improvisation collide.
Behind the Music: Crafting the Track
According to Martin Elliott’s book The Rolling Stones Complete Recording Sessions 1962-2012, Potted Shrimp reflects a unique collaboration between the band’s core and their guest musicians. Keith Richards’ riffs, drawn from his extensive personal repertoire, sit atop a foundation of Mick Taylor’s expressive wah-wah guitar. Nicky Hopkins’ piano not only supports but also converses with the guitars, giving the track its signature depth. Watts’ drumming drives the energy, transforming what could have been a simple instrumental into a layered, almost narrative experience. Although Potted Shrimp never made it onto Sticky Fingers, it remains a fascinating artifact, capturing the Stones in a rare, experimental mood and reminding fans of the creative spark that fueled their legendary sessions.
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