The arrangement was crafted prior to recording, which took place at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia.

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".

[2] Guitarist Dickey Betts wrote the song at "the Farm," a 432-acre (175 ha) "group hangout" in Juliette, Georgia.

[4] The two hopped in Betts's pickup truck with their guitars in excitement, with intentions to show each band member their new instrumental.

"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.

[1] In contrast, Dudek claims Betts walked with him into manager Phil Walden's office, demanding he receive songwriting royalties for Jessica.

[1] Drummer Butch Trucks questioned Dudek's account, noting that they all spent time crafting the arrangement.

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.

"[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.

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.

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.

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.

It moves, it boogies, it carries the piece along with incredible style and is met halfway by Dickie Betts' clean, sweeping guitar lead.

[14] Per album liner notes[15] 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.

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.