Slow Down (Larry Williams song)
"Slow Down" | ||||
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Single by Larry Williams | ||||
A-side | "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" | |||
Released | March 1958 | |||
Recorded | September 11, 1957 | |||
Studio | Masters Records, Hollywood, California | |||
Genre | Rock and roll | |||
Length | 2:40 | |||
Label | Specialty | |||
Songwriter(s) | Larry Williams | |||
Larry Williams singles chronology | ||||
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"Slow Down" is a rock and roll song written and performed by Larry Williams. Recorded in 1957, AllMusic writer Stewart Mason describes it as "raucous enough to be punk rock nearly a full two decades before the concept was even in existence."[1] Specialty Records released it as a single in 1958, but only the second-side "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" reached the record charts.[2] Both songs were later covered by the Beatles.
Recording
Williams recorded the song at Master Recorders, Hollywood, California, on September 11, 1957.[3] Music journalist Gene Sculatti describes the instrumentation provided by the back-up musicians as "unstoppable, nongimmicky, almost careening out of control with its pounding piano and booting sax, 'Slow Down' is arguably Williams's hippest track".[3] The personnel includes:
- Larry Williams – vocal, piano
- Jewell Grant – baritone sax
- Plas Johnson – tenor sax
- René Hall – guitar
- Ted Brinson – bass
- Earl Palmer – drums
The Beatles rendition
"Slow Down" | ||||
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Single by the Beatles | ||||
A-side | "Matchbox" | |||
Released |
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Recorded | June 1 & 4, 1964 | |||
EMI 2, London | ||||
Genre | Rock and roll | |||
Length | 2:54 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | Larry Williams | |||
Producer(s) | George Martin | |||
The Beatles US singles chronology | ||||
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On June 1, 1964, the Beatles recorded most of their version of "Slow Down" at
"Slow Down" reached number 25 on the
In his book
- John Lennon – vocal, lead guitar
- Paul McCartney – bass guitar
- George Harrison – rhythm guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums
- George Martin – piano
However, author John C. Winn states that Harrison played the lead guitar on the track.
References
- ^ Mason, Stewart. "Here's Larry Williams – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- ^
"Top 100 Sides". ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ a b Sculatti, Gene (1989). Larry Williams: Bad Boy (Album notes). Larry Williams. Specialty Records. pp. 2, 6. SPCD 7002.
- ^ ISBN 978-0307452382.
- Billboard.com. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-55652-733-3.
- ISBN 0-19-514105-9.