Jesus Just Left Chicago, Part 1 (Guitar Lesson with TAB)

“Jesus Just Left Chicago” (or “Jesus Done Left Chicago” is a blues song by ZZ Top off of their Tres Hombres album. The track is closely connected with the song “Waitin’ for the Bus”. According to "The Reverend" Billy Gibbons, he got the idea for this song when he was a teenager. He was talking on the phone to a friend who was known as "R&B Jr," who had lots of strange sayings in his lexicon. One day Billy was talking to him on the phone when he blurted out, "Jesus Just Left Chicago!" Talking about this song with Rolling Stone, Gibbons explained: "We took what could have been an easy 12-bar blues and made it more interesting by adding those odd extra measures. It's the same chords as "La Grange" with the Robert Johnson lick, but weirder. Robert Johnson was country blues - not that shiny hot-rod electric stuff. But there was a magnetic appeal: 'What can we take and interpret in some way?'"
Here's part 2 - solo: • Jesus Just Left Chicag...
Mark Z’s Guitar School: mark-z-guitar-school.teachabl...
Please help support my lessons by donating here: paypal.com/paypalme/mzabel335
Get TABs: tinyurl.com/2s3c7c2a
1970s Rock Guitar, Volume 1: mark-z-guitar-school.teachabl...
Back In Black 40th Anniversary Course: mark-z-guitar-school.teachabl...
Classic R&B Guitar Essentials (25% off with MARKZRNB25)
mark-z-guitar-school.teachabl...
Dock of the Bay (15% off with MZBAY15)
mark-z-guitar-school.teachabl...
Electric Blues for the Absolute Beginner (25% off with MARKZBLUES25)
mark-z-guitar-school.teachabl...
Join “The Joy of Guitar” (Facebook): groups/thejo...
More 1970s Lessons: • 1970s Guitar Lessons
#markzabelguitar #1970sguitar

[@MarkZabel]

Here's part 2 - solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaHKpHiqbsyCqdU Mark Z’s Guitar School: mark-z-guitar-school.teachable.com/courses Please help support my lessons by donating here: www.paypal.com/paypalme/MZabel335 Get TABs: tinyurl.com/ybpzjuwm 1970s Rock Guitar, Volume 1: mark-z-guitar-school.teachable.com/p/guitar-hits-from-1970-volume-1

[@stevenaboud1508]

Hi Mark, Your "Jesus Just Left Chicago" is awesome, thanks. I can hardly wait to see (and hear) Part 2 with the guitar solos! Steven

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Steven. Should be coming up soon!

[@noc0noc]

Amazingly taught Mark, so simple and so effective, for me you are an inspiration and constant source of learning, thank you so much

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome, thank you!

[@firebyflint]

This was very helpful and very well taught. I'll be checking out the next video very soon. Love the sound. thanks

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Vernon!

[@geraldbrown2875]

Fantastic Mark, a big thank you! Definitely my favourite ZZ Top song, and your absolutely right they sure have lots of great songs!👍🎸🇨🇦

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@raytheprinter]

Such a badass tune,Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

It *is* badass, isn't it? Thanks for watching!

[@georgew.morrowiii118]

Thanks, I remember this Lesson, an Oldie but a Goodie.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks for listening

[@curtismclean6697]

Thanks so much! I luv your teaching style. you are right...great tune. So glad I m finally learning it. Thanks again

[@MarkZabel]

Rock on!

[@rgmanica]

Great lesson, Mark! I'm trying to learn this song by myself all day long, but I'm very rusty and my ears were telling that some parts were missing. Nice job! You showed! As you said Billy Gibbons can make such simple things sound amazing with some tricks. Thanks for showing it!

[@MarkZabel]

You're very welcome. Happy to help!

[@GSG834129]

Excellent lesson of ZZTop Jesus Just Left Chicago! thank you.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Gary!

[@nathangoncalves488]

@@MarkZabel Nice backing Track mate

[@lauriecarter8931]

Hi Mark,So Brilliant for something so simple it sounds huge.Luv it Cheers.

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, so simple ... hallmark of a great player - simple and great.

[@ZeppelinUK]

Hi Mark, just stumbled upon your two KZbin videos for this song - I plan to learn to play all three instrument parts for this song - and your lessons for this and the solo section are the hardest parts of the song to learn so you've made things a lot easier, I just have to bear in mind to down tune the A string to G and account for that while learning from this video, thanks for the upload!... 😊

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and for your comments. Tuning the A to G is more critical with the solo where you want that "drone". On the rhythm it's not as critical if you're careful to avoid the A string and just hit the D, G, B strings. Rock on!

[@kahuna2]

Fantastic Mark. Without a doubt the best JJLC lesson on the `tube! Billy would be proud my friend!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!! Appreciate the kind comment!

[@TheDMcGinley]

Very cool, Mark, nice breakdown of progression, thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Dan!!

[@johnpick8336]

Great Lesson !!! Thank you Mark !

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks John!

[@boboplex]

Your lessons are fantastic. Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you ... Ooh, that's another good ZZ Top song! :)

[@texfulton]

Thank You ! Awesome lesson. I'm not a music reader and this was a great way to teach it.

[@joachimlachmann3487]

One of my favorites. Thank you very much. Greetings from Frankfurt, Germany. Keep on.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Joachim! Greetings from Ithaca, NY USA.

[@ineffablewhune]

I really appreciate when the instructor gives anecdotal info on the song structure elements; adn their personal opinions and etc. (no sarcasm intended) cheers man

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you like that. I try to add little "tidbits" but to keep it to a reasonable minimum.

[@JWCFB]

I'm beginner level, thank you nice sir for this great rock tune.

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@Torino2006]

Great lesson.Great style of teaching.Many thanks !

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you liked it!

[@k.t.robinson6339]

Thanks for your lessons Much appreciated. Cheers from Colombia

[@MarkZabel]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching. Greetings from upstate NY, USA!

[@johnhogan5342]

Really found this useful..... thanks so much for putting it together!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jacks-and-queens]

Perfect lesson.Thank you so much for the details!Great :-)

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. There's another one coming on this, so stay tuned!

[@Terrysoddy]

You nailed it . Great job

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks man!!

[@imageskj1]

Well played sir! Such a fun song to jam on. Thanks for the tips. Love how the standard blues are subtlety underneath this tune. BFG is a true master.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@jaykidd5789]

way to go brother.... that was fantastic....

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks a ton!

[@mma1st105]

Awesome guitar. Sounds great.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@rjjen1696]

Great job with a great tune

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. It has always been one of my favorites too!

[@Goreadyourbible]

Thanks for the lesson. Thought it was a good one to learn after “Waiting For A Bus”

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@brittain522]

Thanks, that song is so cool!

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. And yes, it's a great song I agree. Thanks for watching!

[@gilmourrules1]

Great work on this..!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Gary! This is so fun to play and just get into the groove of it.

[@brentgilbert4208]

Great groove to that song!

[@MarkZabel]

You know it!

[@bonzo1928]

Nice lesson, on the beer now but will check this out again tomorrow! Thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

Rock on!

[@mseabs741]

Awesome lesson Mark. Another great song and in my opinion one of ZZ Top's very best. Tres Hombres is a monster album.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Mark! Yes, definitely one of their best on a TOTAL MONSTER of an album!!

[@kenclark3361]

You are an awesome teacher and talent THANK YOU

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you Ken!

[@gordonray3091]

Thanks Mark you are awesome.

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@gunnerdee84]

Awesome stuff is always Mark thank you. Did I miss your part to the solo I was really looking forward to that but I have not found it on KZbin maybe you haven't had the chance to put it up thanks again for all your hard work and teaching us some great songs

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Derek! No, you haven't missed it. It's coming up soon. I appreciate the kind words my friend!

[@gunnerdee84]

Thanks Mark, looking forward to it 😀

[@alanlevy3343]

Thanks man! Very useful! Greetings from Argentina, be safe!

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching. Greetings from NY, USA. Be safe yourself!

[@1_benjy_1]

great song🙏🙏

[@calebamusicilikeacousticco4404]

Excellent, looking forward to working on this

[@MarkZabel]

Fantastic!

[@rextorrinello6691]

Awesome, thank you.

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@armandom28]

Nice lesson man...thanks

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure! Glad you liked it.

[@scootmcgoot570]

You got it bud. That guitar sounds hella good!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks brother!

[@3cardmonty602]

La Grange - my favorite, but Oh Man Mark - U might've made this my favorite now!

[@MarkZabel]

It's on the short list of songs to do. Love it too!

[@blahblahoink]

Excellent

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you so much 😀

[@alaskaaksala123]

Perfect!..thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

You bet. Thanks for watching!

[@steveshepherd3271]

Simple but very effective,thank 👍🇬🇧🎸👍

[@MarkZabel]

No problem 👍

[@manfredehmann2222]

Never underestimate an old man with a guitar All very best for you and your family for Christmas. Best wishes from Germany. Manfred

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@grenda5]

damn Mark. you are a ray of sunshine! for hacks like me you give awesome lessons and they keep coming ! thanks so much. this piece I will be trying to get down for my next project. great stuff sir!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! It's all music, and as long as you're having fun it's all fine!!

[@jeffreyschnoldt5388]

My favorite zz top song

[@MarkZabel]

Maybe mine too, but there are a few others that compete with it too. Love Nationwide too!

[@jamesholmberg3158]

Freaking Awesome! So Simplistically Pure that it dredges up a Wide Expanse of Complicated Emotions for me. Wait. What did I say? 😉

[@MarkZabel]

Rock on!

[@snowdog202]

Great tune.

[@MarkZabel]

You know it! One of the best ones out there!

[@kenweinreich8472]

Great job! And love the Melody Maker.....dont see those very often !

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you very much! It's really a great guitar. Something really nice about having to find a way to get multiple sounds with just one pickup. I find it perfect for that early to mid 70s rock sound.

[@kenweinreich8472]

@@MarkZabel I had a crap electric as a kid and I started playing with a new kid who had a Melody Maker. He let me try it and I was stunned at how easy it was to play... I wanted one from that moment on abd realized how much of a difference there was between a good and a crap guitar.

[@meinhendl]

thank you very much , Sir !

[@MarkZabel]

Most welcome!

[@erolgermannemmanuel5637]

📡🎸Mark thank you for the fine lesson & stay safe man !

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks, you too!

[@clintjames7327]

VERY NICE THANKS

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you!!

[@daveg5340]

Open G (just the A string lowered) makes it sooo much easier, especially for the C chord with hammer on!

[@MarkZabel]

It is a bit easier, but this is also easy. To do the solo precisely though you need to tune the A down to G. (Gives you that pull-off.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaHKpHiqbsyCqdU

[@itguy8900]

Not that hard to go g to c. But i get it man

[@itguy8900]

@@MarkZabel yes! The pull offs are key. I just recorded it myself. Goin to see Billy tonight in MN.

[@alfonsoromero5853]

Just heard your first chords, and suscribed.

[@MarkZabel]

That's awesome! Welcome aboard! Let me know what else you'd like to hear.

[@kevintaylor8832]

Mark very helpful!

[@MarkZabel]

Hi Kevin. Glad you found it helpful!

[@trishakelly4934]

Really nice version- I like the b flat flourish, adds flavor, makes it tasty...

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you like it!

[@JJLECTER-INSANITIPAIN]

good stuff ----.........

[@jimgrill]

Hey thanks! Great tone, btw.

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you too!

[@kenclark3361]

Thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks so much Ken! Much appreciated!

[@ghostlyninja]

awesome

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@roncolpo5056]

Nice.....im on it !

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@shadowjammer]

"THANKS BROTHER" !! ✌😉

[@MarkZabel]

You bet!

[@andyp5743]

This is a great lesson. Thanks! That main G to C/G chord is a hand hurter though. 🙈

[@robertgiles9124]

Could be because you ae squeezing too hard...most people do that. Also changing the way you hold the guitar and getting rid of excess tension in arms and shoulder helps.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Great vid! Did you ever do the pt2?

[@MarkZabel]

I did. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaHKpHiqbsyCqdU

[@Beachbumartist]

He does that famous Robert Johnson turn around.

[@markmartin3221]

Thanks Rabbi worked it from one end to the other and all points in between

[@MARDO1111]

Thanks

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome.

[@philf4086]

Great lesson! I usually play this in open G, but honestly I can't tell any sonic difference from yours in standard tuning.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Open G totally works too. An easy way to do it decently is just to tune the A string to G. Gives it a little more bottom end than I have here. Also, in the solo it's helpful, so that's what I do nowadays. Thanks for watching!

[@rgmanica]

Do you think that Billy Gibbons plays it in open G?

[@johnmarshall3903]

Great job Mark, awesome tone, what kind of amp?

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks John! Believe it or not, it's a super simple setup. I ditched my tube amps a while back because I couldn't chance lifting them any more. I'm using a Blackstar ID:Core 10. That's it. Whatever effects I'm using are on-board. They cost all of $100 or so, and they're easy to dial in. It's strictly a practice amp ... no way you could play out with it. But for a small space it really does a great job. And the stereo effect is neat too.

[@eshred69]

Great instructional viddy! Where is part two (solo)? Thanks Mark

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Part 2 is coming. Haven't published it yet.

[@eshred69]

Thanks for responding, Mark. I'll subscribe and keep an eye out (not literally, of course)haha. -Cheers

[@MarkZabel]

Okay, thanks! Yes, don't be literal about that!! :)

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Great lesson. Such a great tune. I love how you recommend we (students) don't download the tab and figure it out on our own. Who does that?!

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vincentagee7007]

Billy Gibson Rocks

[@MarkZabel]

Indeed he does!

[@phillipzappel9491]

You nailed it more bass

[@MarkZabel]

Yep.

[@eidrikgrenson9031]

I notice that to really get into this, you have to really play the ZZ part!! Great Job, BTW Mark!!

[@MarkZabel]

No doubt you need to get into it. Thanks for watching and for the kind comment!

[@tomg6284]

Nice Melody Maker. I have a duel pick up model.

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, they're really good guitars IMHO. They can get that early 1970s dirty sound well.

[@rxtp17]

Great job... very helpful. I am questioning how you name the chords (but you're playing them perfect) Is the 2nd chord a C or an Am7? Makes more sense he plays G, Am7.... then C, Dm7.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful. Naming conventions on chords are sometimes ambiguous, but if I remember this video well enough, I think this one is fairly clear. Playing only on the D, G, and B strings you have all triads. G to C (1st inversion triad - spelled E, G, C) and C to F (spelled A, C, F). Or you can tune the A-string down to G as Billy often did and play strings 5, 4, 3, and 2. Still it's G to C and C to F. For the 2nd chord (C) you still have a C triad: (G, E, G, C) C and Am7 are of course very closely related chords. C is spelled C, E, G (any order and duplication of notes is okay) and Am7 is spelled A, C, E, G. Note that Am7 is not a triad, as it takes 4 different notes for a full spelling of the chord. Having said that, it's certainly okay for you to think of playing that 1st inversion C triad as "a rootless Am7" if it helps you remember it or visualize it. That makes sense to me.

[@pedaphelps]

those guys are pretty amazing for a 3 piece

[@MarkZabel]

mk phelps You know it! Hey, the first installment of the tune you asked for was recorded today. I'll be posting it next week.

[@pedaphelps]

cool will look forward to it. big thank you

[@Manoj-xc2sm]

Hey, great instructional! Where are the tabs you mention?

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. Here you go. Link in the description. Get TABs: tinyurl.com/ybpzjuwm

[@Docdaddy56]

Great lesson! Thank you!!! Looking for a backing track to practice with. Did you create yours or download it from somewhere?

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. I probably downloaded it from guitarbackingtracks.com, which is shut down. Ultimate Guitar couldn't afford it any more. I would guess that there are a few on KZbin now. Also, karaoke-version.com will probably have it for a modest price.

[@Docdaddy56]

@@MarkZabel thanks for the reply!

[@mikedr1549]

For such a super talented guitar player Billy made the most out of simple chords. A good lesson for us all - it's not about how flashy or complicated it is - it's all about the song!

[@MarkZabel]

Exactly!

[@danf4447]

the simple things can be tricky to get right

[@MarkZabel]

Absolutely!

[@raysom2740]

Mark, what is the model gibson you're playing?

[@MarkZabel]

It's a Gibson Melody Maker. One of my favorites ... though I did put in a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder in it.

[@donmikler]

Nice tip to mute the 6th string with your right hand pinky between c and g :)

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Don!

[@donmikler]

@@MarkZabel Never gets old. Refresh time - got it!

[@bradmullins1215]

I'm pretty sure Billy plays it with his 5th string (A string) tuned down to a (G). Am I correct, in saying this?

[@MarkZabel]

Sort of. This is the best I can make of the situation. 1. On the record the rhythm is in Open G. 2. Live when immediately preceded by "Waiting for the Bus" it's in standard 3. Otherwise it's as you say. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHbVpahrg695eMU To me it's all about problem solving. Whatever works, works.

[@johnross1561]

Are you playing this in standard turning? And is your solo lesson in standard turning? Thanks

[@MarkZabel]

Hi John. I played this in standard tuning and I played the solo in "fake" open G, which I explain in that video as EGDGBE tuning. You could just use that tuning for this one too and just move the 5th string fingerings down 2 frets and it works fine. The reason I did that for the solo is that it's helpful to have the pull-off from Bb to G to be to an open string. That way it rings out. Thanks for watching!

[@johnross1561]

Ok Thanks. Yeah that's what I'm doing. I pretty much learned to play the rhythm and solo section. Just need to keep practicing. Thanks a lot. Really appreciated

[@fandango4273]

1959 Melody Maker guitar?

[@MarkZabel]

2006, but yeah, Melody Maker. Hard to beat for that early 70s sound!

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

Nice! , I tune my A to G and it is easier to keep the beat going when playing alone

[@MarkZabel]

Yes! Great reason to do it!

[@johnvaden5688]

could you do Bob Dylan "All Along The Watchtower" please?

[@MarkZabel]

Do you really want the Dylan version? (not the Hendrix version)

[@johnvaden5688]

It's hard to find a good Dylan video for it, whereas Hendrix is very common. And they're very different, so I think it's worth considering.

[@MarkZabel]

Okay, good suggestion. It's on the to-do list! I think there's a good reason there aren't any videos of the Dylan version. Dylan's version is a 3 chord trick song. (Just like the solo part of Stairway to Heaven, except in C#m) Hendrix' version is a masterful guitar showpiece. IMHO, one of the top guitar songs ever made. Very inventive rhythmically, harmonically, tonally and with an amazing solo. Dylan, of course, gets a lot of credit for writing the song and I like his version from a musical POV. I'm happy to do the Dylan version, but it will be a very, very (very) short lesson. Really, if you want to give it a whirl before I post it, it's C#m, B, A with a strum pattern almost exactly like the solo part to Stairway to Heaven.

[@johnvaden5688]

Awesome, thanks! I look forward to it!

[@chrisdiceart]

Was hoping the lesson would be in Open G - Like Billy plays it

[@MarkZabel]

It's *exactly* the same patterns. He plays it not in open G, but with only the A-string tuned down to G.

[@kevinmalone8903]

Wasn't this in open G tuning ? Nice interpretation

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. It probably was in open G. My general philosophy is that if you don't need to re-tune, don't do it. Why spend the time or bring multiple guitars to gigs? If it really matters, sure, do it.

[@djas1840]

both. standard is better for this beautiful song.

[@BruceSeesall]

Ride On by ACDC lolll almost

[@MarkZabel]

Yep, AC/DC clearly copied ... or, ahem, were influenced by ZZ Top for Ride On.

[@davestraw3950]

F.Y.I.: Billy recorded this song with a 1950 Fender Broadcaster.

[@MarkZabel]

Okay, thanks.

[@davestraw3950]

@@MarkZabel thought you might enjoy this. Of course, if you make an outrageous claim online, you have to give your source. lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/gInNe6B_aaemf5Y

[@MarkZabel]

@@davestraw3950 Sweet!!

[@SMart7751]

Very interesting!! 👍

[@davestraw3950]

"Outrageous claim"? Wtf are you talking about? You just posted the exact video where I got my information from. So what's your point?

[@stuartstuart321]

bound for new orleans?

[@MarkZabel]

You know it!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

This teacher needs sunglasses by Rayban and a Fender Telecaster

[@MarkZabel]

Ha! Billy is primarily a Gibson player throughout the years though.

[@dennis6325]

This song has a real AC/DC feel to me. Not sure why?