Amazing that a song of this length--with no words--can hold my attention, move my soul, and lift my spirits every time I listen to it! The lead guitar solo that starts at 5:00 in is simply amazing. Dickey Betts is truly a guitar virtuoso!
Dickey Betts doesn't get nearly as much attention as plenty of other guitarists, but he is a true master of his instrument, both technically and creatively.
Emotional playing, that's what makes Dickey Betts so damned fine as a guitarist. He feels his notes, right down at his core. Not many guitarists get there, but lots of them try.
@@garyschneider8829 I live in Sarasota, Fl, Dickie is a local and used to show up unannounced and play at a dive bars here and there. Havent heard of him doing that lately, read recently he is well but not playing due to a health. He had a nasty fall at his house on the bay a couple years ago and cracked his head, and also a small stroke.
@@DSRQ1 He had cancelled some shows after his fall (I had tickets to see him in Hampton Beach, NH, which didn't happen), and I think he's recovered but maybe doesn't feel up to touring anymore. I'm hopeful that, even if he never puts his own band together again, he might eventually do some sit-ins with his son Duane in the Allman Betts Band.
I'm listening to Jessica and I'm crying. What a great musician. Rest in Peace Mr Dicky Betts. I'm 67 and for 56 years I have been loyal to the Allman Brothers.Thank You Dicky Betts ps your music lives on, Amen 😊
I’m 34 & also very saddened by the news. ABB was the unknowing bridge that my father handed me to discover present day jam bands like Widespread Panic. Hard not to think about times spent in Florida listening to ABB. Find me a better band to listen to in the hot sun; you can’t!
Oh NO, we just lost our rock and roll man! I am just beside myself! What can you say about his catalogue of work? RIP, Dickie Betts, never lay down that instrument, wonderful friend🙂
How any human being could come up w/ these melodies, riffs and piano compositions is insane, what a masterpiece that will never be seen ever again! The music of the 60 and 70 was the greatest of all time and will never be duplicated! These great players were all kids of the baby boom w/ their own unique characteristics that will never be emulated again. Imagine putting these super groups together I.e Skynard,Altman’s,Zepplin,Pink Floyd,Ac/Dc etc etc by meeting each other and sitting around day after day practicing w/ out the aid of computers, or being able to virtually pop up a “how to video “in a nanosecond , unreal two decades we will never see again!!!
Pete. mate. How right thou art. I adore this music. But the thing that constantly astounds me is the fact that he "just learned it" and then "just played it". Mate that is a 6 stringed instrument in a 4 piece band. (Then of course there's the Allmans).
Only there are a guitar player not mentioned here i would compare to them. His voice perhaps weren't so lovely, but his hands were magic. Rory Gallagher
I'm afraid that what we have now are memories from the LPs the Allman Brothers recorded. I will pass the music on to my grand kiddies. What a legend the Allman Brothers were. I'm afraid there never will be another Silver Dollar like the Allman Brothers. .
tears flow. Jessica has been on my playlist since 1973, make that 51 years and counting. Now this music enters into the realm of eternity, and I will be eternally jamming to it
Dickey Betts will always be one of my favorite guitarists; sharp, clean as a whistle, and absolutely impeccable timing. The man was an astonishingly great Guitar *Master*!
He is truly one of the greatest, but he is also a complete a$$hole to work with. I don’t know that from personal experiences, but anything I have read on the history of the Allman Bros band never fails to mention Betts’s problems of alcohol abuse and pissy attitude. But, of course most southern rock bands work hard and play hard. They are nothing like the soft boy bands dumped on us over the last 20 years
What you are hearing here is the kind of rock & roll that was played from the 60s to the mid 80s, music made with meaning, harmony, melody, but above all, everything played by the greatest musicians.
This performance is stellar. Betts in his prime- but holy cow. Listen to the Bass player. The keyboard player and drummer. Tightest Performance. Incredible musicians-every one👍🇺🇸
Always told my daughter, Jessica, that this was one of my all-time favorite songs, and that it always made me think of her. She suddenly passed away last month, and this song means even more to me now. RIP sweetie. Daddy always loves you.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear this.. Please accept my sincere condolences as I type this through my tears. Jessica is my fave Betts/Allman tune and if I ever had a little girl I wanted to name her Jessica 🌹
All of us Allman Brothers fans have a,ways know what a great guitar player Mr Betts is. This song written for his daughter is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the memories sir❤️💕🥰
@@cspruitt3190 That’s great! I named by daughter Melissa and my West Virginia getaway place is called ONE WAY OUT. We ABB fans sure loved our band❤️💕✌️
@terrymoses204 * Exactly! Dickey and Chuck were joined at the hip musically, and Jessica is a prime example of it! Beautiful! RIP Dickey Betts, and all the rest of the musical giants of The Allman Brothers Band that we've lost...
The absolute best "driving down the road" song ever. No contest. No debate. It makes the road level and the pace quicker and the smile wider and home (or any destination) all the closer.
Superb rendition of Jessica by rock guitar icon Dicky Betts and the incomparable, ageless keyboard artist Chuck Leavell! So beautifully performed. I can listen to this over and over again. God Bless you Dicky Betts, and keep it going Chuck!
@@qua7771 It's pretty major harmonically with the exception of that part from about 1:00-1:20 in this video. Main riff though is major: Amaj to Bm7/A, a great I-ii vamp. Not trying to take anything away from you: he does play in some minor modes through some of that major riff, which can give you the feeling that it's minor overall, but mostly it's major modes with blue notes, that repeating section notwithstanding.
@@PlateOshrimp499 Thanks. I may have misunderstood the root, being that it's played all over the neck. This song certainly can give a player insight as to how to work a scale. I tend to follow shapes, and over time theory slips my mind. I can appreciate when people can articulate theory.
I emailed his manager ( David Spero) when I was one of my “ Jessica” moments. ( for lack of a better term.) I told him my brother called him “ Sir Dickey Betts”. He replied, said he told Dickey and that it was” made his day”.
There are two virtuoso performances here, not one. Chuck Leavell is not getting enough recognition here. Stupendous performances on keyboard AND guitar.
Yes ! And the Allman’s lost a real asset when Chuck left. Brothers and Sisters is one of their greatest albums, and Chuck was integral to that sound, especially as a rhythm player. And why not have 2 keyboard players, along with their 2 drummers and (usually) 2 guitarists ? Gregg’s organ is great, but it doesn’t give you the percussive, rhythmic aspect of a real piano. And Chuck could’ve brought back their jazz-influenced jam band chops from their early days.
Woke up this morning with an unusual sadness in my heart, knowing Dickey Betts has left this earth, but with “Jessica” playing in my head. I’ve been listening to this song since ‘73, and love it as much now as I did then. In addition to his soaring, melodic guitar playing Dickey’s songwriting gave the Allman Bros Band their absolute best songs: In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Blue Sky, Jessica, and Rambling Man. More than fifty years later, these songs bring me joy. Better yet, they have continued on. My own kids-and many of their friends, growing up-were turned on to the ABB and are confirmed fans. And best of all, the other day when I called my daughter, I heard “One Way Out” playing on her stereo in the background. I asked her about it, and she said that my 6-year-old granddaughter had put the record on and that it was her new favorite record. Carry on Duane, and carry on, Dickey. Your music looks like it’s going to live forever.
Imagine being in love, ( age 19) with another couple hanging out with you, on a “ Criss Craft” going down a river on the way to Boothbay Harbor on a sunny day, drinking Cape Coders and listening to Jessica!!!
I’m here on 6/6/24 . Just returned from. Allman Betts show in Tarrytown,NY Duane played this very guitar. So emotional as Dickey is only gone less than 2 months and his son,who looks like him,plays like him was up there singing Blue Sky. ❤️A beautiful thing to witness.
Man what a Helluva guitar player.. and just look at the Glowing Smiles on the rest of the band members Faces..They All knew they were part of something.. Glorious....RIP ... Dickey Betts....Mr Dilly and All of Us will always ..Miss you..Sir 🙏🎸😓
Love Dickie Betts!! What a guitar player...Love his acoustic playing also with Gregg Allman and group on stage back in the 90s playing Melissa. Greatest music of all time...Gregg and Allman Brothers!! Good Memories, sure wish we could go back to that time again. Life is so short. Blessings to all
@@robertgarland805 Yes I agree...doesn't get any better!! That's great!! Wishing you many healthy and happy years to come. The fever never goes away...Blessings
My deepest condolences to the Betts family. Dickey Betts and the Allman Brothers' music were a large part of the soundtrack of my youth. May you rest in peace, Mr. Betts.
I saw the Allman Brothers on 22 April 1971 at Middle Tennessee State University and have been a loyal fan ever since and Dickey has been my #1 guitarist ever since. RIP Dickey!!
Age 62 here. Have been crazy about this song since age 19. Just imagine being on a Criss Craft boat, on the Kennebec River headed toward Boothbay Harbor. In love, drinking Cape Coders and listening to Jessica! It doesn't or hasn't ever gotten any better than that!
I'm 75,been playing the guitar for 62,been playing jessica for years yet everytime I hear it by Mr.Betts I hear parts that have eluded me all these years,Ive come to realize that the major parts are always the same but his solos in the middle will always be different because his talent is never ending
Right before he died I emailed his Manager David Spero. I said “ Dickey channeled Jessica from a higher source.” He wrote back saying Dickey also believed that. This instrumental isn’t human.
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. Django had suffered damage to his left hand in a fire at his home when a very young man, losing nearly all use of his two small fingers on that hand, but went on despite that to become one of the world's greatest and most influential guitarists. 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. Some accounts credit Dudek with the acoustic intro on the recording. The arrangement was crafted prior to recording, which took place at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia. Along with _'Jessica,'_ Zappa's _'Sexual Harassment in the Workplace'_ and _'Silver and Gold'_ by Quicksilver Messenger Service are among my favorite rock instrumentals.
almost sad that 80% of the people familiar with this song only know it as the theme song for Top Gear, and with that shows 20+ year Intl. run, that's like 450 million people that have never heard more than the 1st 3 bars if that lol ... hey,... 450million people love this song by default Not Bad DB!
@@wilywascal2024Cool background story!!! What about Little Martha?? Once, driving back to Wis. from Flagstaff in '86, I hit repeat and played Little Martha continuously through 4 states!!!!!!!
@@thomasfoss9963 ~ _'Blue Sky'_ is another great one, too! So many great songs from the Allman Brothers Band, the quintessential Southern rock group who defined the genre. Although, still prefer Molly Hatchet's version of their song _'Dreams I'll Never See,'_ which I think has more punch to it. (My brother prefers the original.)
What impresses me about Dickie Betts is that he is able to master blues music, country music, jazz music, and rock music so well. His gifts and talents don't stop at one genre of music. Cheers!
Not better than, srv, hendrix, bloomfield, terry kath, alvin lee, page, blackmoore, johnny winter, duane allman. Just to name a few, but yes he is up there
Loved the work by Dickey and loved the group. Unique and transcendent. Got to meet Betts in the late 70’s when I was bartending in Columbus OH. Still play Jessica on cloudy days when a boost is sublime. Be well all.
We've all lost a very talented man who knew how to play damn good music long time ago when life was simple as pie. Too bad those days are long gone... What a shame...
So glad i lived in the era of the greatest music the world will ever see. Kinda feel sorry for younger folk they have no freaking clue what a musician is.
I teach a 7thgeography class, I am 50 years old, and grew up with all the great music, and in each unit I give the students music to listen to from different areas of the world. They are the least open minded, most brain-washed, little humans ever. If it doesnt have a hip hop beat, they won't listen to it, with frequent claims of , ''this sounds repetitive'' its amazing what happened to the world
Me too. What else can we say this about? And it’s been since 1980 for me. It’s astonishing I could not tire of anything with that much repeated exposure!
Dickey Betts is in a league of his own. He is flawless and so gifted. The best in my opinion. If you really want to be blown away, watch RU-vid video of him do Blue Sky live in Germany 1991. Good God!!! I have NEVER seen a better performance . I have seen all the great guitarists in concert and there has never been anyone that can even come close to this man.🎸🎸🎸🎼🎼🎼🍄🍄🍄
That is so true. One of the best that they don't talk about much he's one of the best I ever saw alive in concert with the Allman Brothers and with his own band awesome dude.
Everytime I hear this I remember being in college (early 70's) out on the quad, tossing footballs or frisbees while young good looking girls in halter tops would watch us. The music was piped out of some dorm windows and I wish I had had the good sense to know just how good I had it back then!
Unfortunately, "I didn't get on the bus" until 1983. I was a jock as they say until I took my first drug, Mescaline. From then on I immersed my self in the rock and roll world. The Allman Bro. Neil Young, Bob Dylan. Santana. Catching up with the Outlaws, Skinnered
Right on!!!! I've seen Dickey Betts and the Allman Joy's from Alpine Valley to Red Rocks-- Always a 3-4 hr show showing how great this band was!!! Hung out with Dickey in Milwaukee after a Summerfest show-- and they always stopped in at Fatmans bar in Gurnee il. after Alpine shows for a couple beers and some pool... Ive got photos of Dickey and Gregg playing pool with us in Fatmans.....
R.I.P. Dickey Betts & thanks for all the fantastic guitar slinging/singing, we’ll never forget about you, the bands music is forever imprinted in our ♥️ & Soul. Peace.🤍🤍🤍
Dicky was great got to meet him a couple of times got some of the greatest pictures of him on my wall signed blue skies forever ramble on brother thanks for all the great music u made
Greatest road trip song ever! Packing the car. Loading up your friends and heading down the highway enroute to the west coast in the summer of 1980. Two weeks on the road listening to great music and seeing some of the greatest landscapes in he world! Life doesn’t get much better than that.
Dickey Betts never got the recognition that he deserved, he was over shadowed by the Allman boys, my gosh , he added so much, the bassist here, funny hair or not, is also very talented
He was well know and thought of in my high school in beautiful St. Louis county Mo. It’s easy to tell who the truly greats are, they always let the supporting cast shine when in concert!
RIP Dickey. this has got to be one his most classic pieces. No one will ever be able to play the piano on this one better than Chuck Levelle. Blue Sky, 'Liz Reed, Melissa, Seven Turns - All great tunes the master blaster of country music. Sleep now in peace until we are all called home.
