| "Jessica" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by The Allman Brothers Band | ||||
| from the album Brothers and Sisters | ||||
| B-side | "Come and Go Blues" | |||
| Released | December 1973 | |||
| Recorded | December 1972 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | Capricorn 0036 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Dickey Betts | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| The Allman Brothers Band singles chronology | ||||
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| Official audio | ||||
| "Jessica" on YouTube | ||||
"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.
Issued as a single following the immensely successful "Ramblin' Man", "Jessica" did not receive the same level of chart success. Despite this, it became a standard in rotations for classic rock radio stations in the following decades. Reviews have been widely positive. 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".