Posted on 02/26/2021 4:48:45 PM PST by simpson96
"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). 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.
Betts wrote the majority of "Jessica" at the band's farm in Juliette, Georgia. He named it after his daughter, Jessica Betts, who was an infant when it was released. She had bounced along to the song's rhythm, and Betts attempted to capture her attitude with its melody. He invited fellow guitarist Les Dudek over to collaborate on it, and Dudek performed the bridge. The arrangement was crafted prior to recording, which took place at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia.
The Allman Brothers Band - Jessica (1973)
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
Two of the best guitar players ever in the same band, Duane Allman and Dickey Betts.
Interesting that the graphic shows both Duane and Gregg Allman. I’m pretty sure “Jessica” was written after Duane’s death in 1971 and was released in 1973.
GREAT track - one of their best!
This song reminds me of when I was young and I would walk through fields with grasshoppers jumping everywhere and butterflies would flutter about.
Duane Allman may be the most underrated guitarist of all time. Listen to any of the “Layla” tracks where they isolate his slide guitar, and you realize how awesome he was as a studio session guitarist with some of the top bands of his day.
I got to see The Allman Brothers in concert one time with Bonnie Raitt in the stadium at UMASS on a hot summer day back in 1980...:)
That was shortly after I got out of the Navy, first rock concert I ever went to. My first concert was supposed to be The Who in Providence, RI in December 1979, but all those people got crushed in a stampede earlier that month.
Duane Allman did not play on Jessica, he died in October of 1971 from a motorcycle accident.
It takes me back.
Way back.
Skynyrd. Allman Bros. Marshall Tucker. Janis. Redeye. Kristofferson. Many others. Memory fogs, but that music...
Oh, Yeah. Good stuff.
Incredible band.
“the most underrated guitarist of all time.”
Not by the Rock and Roll crowd I’ve hung out with for the last 50 years.
❤️ that tune. Boy does that bring back memories. Thanks for posting simpson96.
The original theme song of BBC’s “Top Gear”
The Outlaws..
I was in high school at the time you are talking about in Massachusetts. My brother called me from a wedding hotel in Western Massachusetts and told me the Allman Brothers were staying at the hotel and he got me their autographs because I was a big fan. He saw Dickey Betts throw his girlfriend into the pool. Of course I’ve lost them since then. And none of my friends believed that they were real. Probably the time you saw them tour. I saw them a few years later at Boston Garden with Edgar Winter backing them up. Rock and roll!
The Outlaws.
**********************
Outlaws were it during my high school years. Graduating 1981. I still remember this funny story. Friends of mine played in a band and the high school was nice enough to let us have a break one day and listen to them in the auditorium. After awhile the principal approached the lead singer and told them to wrap it up so the lead singer returned to the microphone and told us that the show had to end and they only had time to do a quick finishing song. They proceeded to play Green Grass and High Tides. I still remember the looks on the teachers faces as they didn’t know what to do as the guitar solos went on and on for 20 minutes.
I got into this this morning and I had t'work t'get my head back into my failing 73 yo self.
DAMN ... we had a life and fun !
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.