Chuck Leavell's piano work is much on a par with Nicky Hopkins' work for the Rolling Stones. This version is the one heard on most classic rock radio stations, and any kind of various artist compilation on which "Jessica" has been featured. [4] Leavell noted the song presented a challenge, since earlier instrumentals were more serious in nature: "How do we make this a little more intense and make it work as an Allman Brothers song? Written by guitarist Dickey Betts, the song is a tribute to Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, in that it was designed to be played using only two fingers on the left hand. 1 contributor total, last edit on Aug 08, 2016. The arrangement was crafted prior to recording, which took place at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia. Pony Boy 5:51 [3] Betts had crafted the main melody of the song but became frustrated with its direction afterward. Jessica Tab by The Allman Brothers Band with free online tab player. The tune is also well known as the opening theme to the original BBC TV show Top Gear and for the 2002 format of the series, albeit a modernised cover version. (The Sun Is a Mass of Incandescent Gas), Nederlandse Top 40 – The Allman Brothers Band", "The Allman Brothers Band Chart History (Hot 100)", Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas, An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: First Set, Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival: July 3 & 5, 1970, S.U.N.Y. Many critics at the time called it a highlight of the album, and a 2006 Wall Street Journal article deemed it "a true national heirloom". Leavell also plays grand piano on this tune, playing a solo around the 2:30 mark. Well, remember that quarantine that we are in? It was also used throughout the 2000's on The Weather Channel as background music for the Local on the 8s. Jessica is an instrumental piece by the Allman Brothers Band, released in December 1973 as the second single from the group's fourth studio album, Brothers and Sisters (1973). They played the song together, and Betts became frustrated, as it went nowhere following the opening and main verse riff. "[1] Dudek had worked out harmonies with Betts and believed he would be recording with Betts, but Betts dissuaded him, noting that he had already played harmonies on "Ramblin' Man" and that critics might believe him to be in the band if he played harmonies on "Jessica". Amazon: 3 : Ramblin Man. "I wasn't there, so I can't say what Les did or didn't do, but I take that with a grain of salt. Betts wrote the majority of "Jessica" at the band's farm in Juliette, Georgia. "[10] Billboard singled it out as one of the "best cuts" from the album,[11] and it was mentioned as a highlight by Janis Schacht of Circus. Overview ... Jessica. [9], Initial reviews of the song in 1973 were very positive. Jessica • I've wanted to do a playthru of this song for years, but the amount of work needed to do that would require so many hours of free time. I really love music ❤I hope you enjoy! Its been a while since I've learned a solo note-for-note, and it was glorious fun. [8] Although "Jessica" rose no higher than number 65 on the Hot 100, it later became a staple of classic rock radio. "[1] After Dudek left Capricorn Records to tour with the Steve Miller Band, he was let out of his contract, which involved no credits on the publishing deal for Brothers and Sisters. Track 6 from their fourth studio album "Brothers & Sisters" released in 1973 copyright Capricorn Records. Upon his return, Dudek showed him his new section. The song peaked best on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, where it peaked at number 29 on March 9, 1974. The addition of Leavell in particular changed the band's sound and direction, which has often been considered most evident on "Jessica". [18] In one episode, James May recreated the tune using nothing but exhaust notes from several cars, while in another episode the tune in its full version was heard to be played over the radio when the three presenters tested in America (Series 12, Episode 2). The 1973-1974 Allman Brothers Band featured here is the one that most fans actually saw, since most listeners didn’t discover them or get to their concerts until after the deaths of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley. Songs. The Allman Brothers Band formed in 1969 in Macon, Georgia, United States and blended different strains of Southern Rock related music— Blues, Country, Gospel, Jazz, and more— into a flexible, jam-oriented Rock and Roll style. Jelly Jelly 5:46 5. "I'll never forget, right when we got in Dickey's truck, it started to lightly, almost mystically, snow, as if it was Duane sending us a message: 'Hey, you guys finally got that tune. One accurate version. [4] Dudek accompanied Betts on guitar, in order to illustrate both the rhythm guitar and the melody. Seeing Chuck Leavell play this legendary piano solo inspired me to finally learn it note-for-note on guitar. In January 2006, a Wall Street Journal article referred to the piece as "a true national heirloom." [3] "Jessica" was an attempt to write a song that could be played with just two fingers, in honor of Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who played with two left fingers due to severe burns. Issued as a single following the immensely successful "Ramblin' Man", "Jessica" did not receive the same level of chart success. "Jessica" is a rock instrumental written by Dickey Betts, guitarist of The Allman Brothers Band. Add to Custom List. "I really need to have an image in my head before I can start writing an instrumental because otherwise it's too vague. "Dickey lit up like a lightbulb he was so happy, because now we had the new section the song desperately needed," he remarked. Leavell created the transition between the piano and guitar solos. [1] Dudek instead played the acoustic rhythm guitar, while Leavell played harmonies on piano. The original version on Brothers and Sisters clocks in at 7:30, although there is a shortened single edit, which cuts out some of the main theme at the end of the piece, trimming it to 4:00 exactly. 171,166 views, added to favorites 1,198 times. We have an official Jessica tab made by UG professional guitarists. Songwriting always has some gray areas, because if someone plays a particular riff does that mean it's part of the song or part of the arrangement? I do not intend any copyright infringement. This is merely my interpretation and is for fun only. [1] "I didn't understand all that exactly at the time, but in retrospect, I should have got 50 percent. At the end of the last episode of the 18th series of the show, Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash played his version of the tune. The acoustic guitar is played by Les Dudek. Jun 29, 2012 - Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. A January 2006 Wall Street Journal article referred to the piece as "a true national heirloom. An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: 2nd Set, Why Does the Sun Shine? The song's main melody consists of two keyboards and Betts's electric guitar harmonizing. The String Cheese Incident - 11/4/14 - Jessica (Allman Brothers Band) I think it could be a group credit almost, and if any one person would have a writing claim it would be Chuck Leavell, who added a tremendous amount to 'Jessica'," said Trucks. AllMusic Rating. Jessica NOTE: Lyrics and copyright information are fan-contributed and may be inaccurate. Favorites. Playing via Spotify Playing via YouTube Because it wasn't a completed song until I gave him the bridge section, the part that goes to the G chord," remembered Dudek. Reviews have been widely positive. The Allman Brothers Band formed in 1969 in Macon, Georgia, United States and blended different strains of Southern Rock related music— Blues, Country, Gospel, Jazz, and more— into a flexible, jam-oriented Rock and Roll style. Jessica • I've wanted to do a playthru of this song for years, but the amount of work needed to do that would require so many hours of free time. He invited fellow guitarist Les Dudek over to collaborate on it, and Dudek performed the bridge. Jessica was first released on the band's 1973 album Brothers and Sisters, and has subsequently been used in many musical contexts. [1] The song would wind up with two keyboards and one guitar. Author mikepj1027 [a] 67. [19] "Jessica" is also used for most international versions of Top Gear, including the US version which used it as its theme only during the first season. "[13], A later recording of "Jessica", a live recording included on An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: 2nd Set (1995), won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards in 1996.[14]. Jessica 7:28 7. The signature melody line, as with all of Dickey Betts' instrumental compositions, is played harmonically among various instruments, in this case, Betts taking the melody on guitar, Chuck Leavell playing the top harmony line on the Fender Rhodes electric piano, and Gregg Allman playing the bottom harmony line on the Hammond organ. This live album was released by Capricorn Records largely as a way of raising money in a hurry, but it fares surprisingly well musically. So that's what I did. The Allman Brothers Band: 07:31 . I get an emotion or an idea I want to express and see what I can come up with," said Betts in 2014. They look like the post-teen punk band rehearsing next door, and there is little in their music that we haven't h… Come And Go Blues 4:53 4. Southbound – The Allman Brothers Band 5:09 Jessica – The Allman Brothers Band 7:28 Midnight Rider – Gregg Allman 4:23 One Way Out – The Allman Brothers Band 7:58 Long Time Gone – Richard Betts 4:30. I recorded this during the first week of lockdown, a few days after seeing The Brothers perform it at MSG. In the studio, the musicians worked on the song's arrangement, which took six days. … Wasted Words 4:19 2. [2] Guitarist Dickey Betts wrote the song at "the Farm," a 432-acre "group hangout" in Juliette, Georgia. Betts wrote the majority of "Jessica" at the band's farm in Juliette, Georgia. After the death of group leader Duane Allman in 1971, the Allman Brothers Band continued on, adding keyboardist Chuck Leavell. Add to My Collection. Look at the track records of what each of them has written besides Jessica. The Allman Brothers Band’s comeback album, and their best blues-based outing since Idlewild South that restored a lot of their reputation. Youtube; Jessica The Allman Brothers Band. [3], According to session musician Les Dudek, he co-wrote "Jessica" but did not receive credit. User Ratings (0) Your Rating. Ramblin’ Man 4:48 3. Scrobble songs and get recommendations on other tracks and artists. The Allman Brothers are a rather heavy white blues group out of Muscle Shoals. [4] According to Dudek, he formed the bridge section while Betts was away, checking on their steaks. View official tab. at Stonybrook: Stonybrook, NY 9/19/71, Play All Night: Live at the Beacon Theatre 1992, The Essential Allman Brothers Band: The Epic Years, Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jessica_(instrumental)&oldid=996360899, Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Chuck Leavell continues to perform it as a piano-based piece, as with his version on the album, This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 03:42. Despite this, it became a standard in rotations for classic rock radio stations in the following decades. It's like going to church. [5] Betts later likened the song's creation to architecture, noting that it is "meticulously constructed, and every aspect has its place. "[6], Leavell disagreed with the notion that Dudek co-wrote the song, noting that Betts created the melody of the song and its rhythm. Difficulty: intermediate. Please use the Contact form to send us corrections or to report infringement and we will fix it. Southbound 5:08 6. Bud Scoppa of Rolling Stone wrote, "To my ears, this is the most effective instrumental the Allmans have ever recorded: It breaks the band's recent tendency toward humorlessness while demonstrating vividly that this group can elaborate brilliantly on a motif without once falling into obvious blues or rock & roll patterns. ... Jessica Guitar Tab by The Allman Brothers Band with free online tab player. '"[4], The band had laid down "three or four" track recordings for Brothers and Sisters when Betts brought "Jessica" to the studio. [1] Drummer Butch Trucks questioned Dudek's account, noting that they all spent time crafting the arrangement. "Jessica" is an instrumental piece by American rock band the Allman Brothers Band, released in December 1973 as the second single from the group's fourth studio album, Brothers and Sisters (1973). Followed by the only thing that could follow Chuck...Dickey Bett's gargantuan solo. While he could play guitar – for the Allman Brothers Band, his primary instrument was the Hammond organ, including on “Jessica”. "I was very disappointed, but there was nothing I could say about it," said Dudek later. All content on this page is the property of the copyright owner of the original composition. The tune is in the key of A Major, with the main guitar solo using the key of D Major. We all contributed to the arrangement of the piece, but it was Dickey's song. In January 2006, a Wall Street Journal article referred to the piece as "a true national heirloom." DISC FOUR Can’t Lose What You Never Had – The Allman Brothers Band 5:49 Come and Go Blues – The Gregg Allman Band 4:44 Listen online to The Allman Brothers Band - Jessica and see which albums it appears on. This song is from the 'Eat a Peach" album and the first song the band did without Duane Allman, who died four months before it was released. She had bounced along to the song's rhythm, and Betts attempted to capture her attitude with its melody. "The jazzy sound is not only effective, it's aesthetically beautiful. He maintains that Betts apologized to him about "the whole 'Jessica' thing" years later, claiming Capricorn said they did not have to pay him.[7]. It is widely known as the theme to the BBC Two motoring program Top Gear. A year later when Berry Oakley also died, Lamar Williams was brought in as the bassist replacement, finishing the album Berry did not. "I started playing along, trying to capture musically the way she looked bouncing around the room," said Betts, who named the song after her. [1] In contrast, Dudek claims Betts walked with him into manager Phil Walden's office, demanding he receive songwriting royalties for Jessica. "Jessica" is a rock instrumental written by Dickey Betts, guitarist of The Allman Brothers Band. He named it after his daughter, Jessica Betts, who was an infant when it was released. Written by guitarist Dickey Betts, the song is a tribute to Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, in that it was designed to be played using only two fingers on the left hand. Recommended by The Wall Street Journal. "[12], It has continued to receive praise in recent years. I figured now would be a good time to make this video happen. Jessica, Betts's baby daughter, crawled into the room and began bouncing to the music. More information Allman Brothers - Jessica - Live 1991, via YouTube. Jessica tab by The Allman Brothers Band. It moves, it boogies, it carries the piece along with incredible style and is met halfway by Dickie Betts' clean, sweeping guitar lead. 1. However, most Allman Brothers compilations use the full 7:30 version. [3] Betts had invited him over for dinner, and instructed him to bring his acoustic guitar. It's very therapeutic to go that deep on a song, you get lost in another world, it gets very ethereal. The tune was also featured in the movies Field of Dreams, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, Fear and Lassie, and was used as the opening theme tune for the Dr. Dean Edell radio show. [5] Leavell acknowledged this: "I could say I co-wrote it, because I made a lot of suggestions, but I don't think that's fair. [4] The two hopped in Betts's pickup truck with their guitars in excitement, with intentions to show each band member their new instrumental. Jessica was first released on the band's 1973 album Brothers and Sisters, and has subsequently been used in many musical contexts. It was written by guitarist Dickey Betts. The Allman Brothers Band 35 All-Time Greatest Hits . "Jessica" is an instrumental piece by American rock band the Allman Brothers Band, released in December 1973 as the second single from the group's fourth studio album, Brothers and Sisters (1973).