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Rolling Stones Unreleased: Slow Down and Stop
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany, Nov. 13-24 1973 (It’s Only Rock’N Roll sessions) Guest musicians: Nicky Hopkins (piano)
From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: Slow Down and Stop is an unpromising instrumental with Nicky Hopkins on piano. The Stones went to the Munchen studios in 1974 to perform material for an album planned for a quick release. This recording format was a return to the spontaneity captured in sesions such as Beggars Banquet.
Back to Basics: The Rolling Stones Rewind in Munich
In November 1973, The Rolling Stones stepped into Munich’s Musicland Studios looking to recapture a raw, unfiltered vibe. Among the results of those sessions—intended for a fast-turnaround album—was the instrumental Slow Down and Stop, an unreleased track that gives off a loose, spontaneous energy. Featuring the unmistakable touch of Nicky Hopkins on piano, the piece leans heavily into a jam-session atmosphere. Although not one of the band’s more refined moments, it captures a behind-the-scenes glimpse of The Stones stripped down to their creative instincts. It wasn’t about chart-topping hits—it was about revisiting the instinctive magic found in sessions like Beggars Banquet. For fans, it’s like sneaking into the room while the band just lets loose, no expectations, no polish—just vibes. And while the tune may not have made the final cut, its spirit adds depth to the It’s Only Rock ’n Roll era’s rich, often chaotic creative burst.
A Rough Cut with Hidden Charm
Slow Down and Stop might never land on a “greatest hits” playlist, but it tells its own story—a moment when The Rolling Stones hit pause on perfection and leaned into playfulness. In his book The Rolling Stones Complete Recording Sessions 1962–2012, author Martin Elliott labels it an “unpromising instrumental,” yet even that harsh take can’t erase the curiosity it stirs. Hopkins’ piano work, always lyrical and soulful, brings texture to an otherwise skeletal jam. It’s a musical sketch more than a finished painting, but that’s the charm—it’s part of a creative process that valued feel over finesse. Hidden away in the vaults, Slow Down and Stop still speaks volumes about the band’s ongoing pursuit of musical exploration—even in the moments that never saw the spotlight.
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