What an unbelievable, trend setting album. At a time when the Rock-Country (Southern Rock) music was coming into its own, this was the benchmark album that all others would come to be measured against. The unique blend of rock and country on this CD is exceptional.

Beginning with "Caballo Diablo", a story about a horse and a man's quest to tame him this album moves through songs of attitude (Long Haired Country Boy), songs of barroom mischief (Trudy), of feelings for home (Georgia) and wanting to roam (Feeling Free), of the 'redneck coaliton' (The South's Gonna Do It Again) to some bluegrass covers with drums (Orange Blossom Special) this CD is terrific.

In my opinion this is Charlie's best project. It stands with fond memories in my youth and as I've grown older it has not diminished. A first class project that showed what southern rock is supposed to be all about. A top notch band with great songs can only mean one thing - a top notch CD.

Add this to your collection even if you don't like Southern Rock or Charlie Daniels, as long as you like music you will enjoy the eclectic nature of this project.

This is a classic southern rock album, there isn't a bad song on it. From the hard driving Caballo Diablo to the blues rock No Place to Go, CDB's southern roots are evident. This is a CD that was meant to be listen to turned up loud, while you sing along. The spirit of early seventies, southern rock isn't expressed better than it is here.

CHARLIE DANIELS BEST ALBUMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON CD.

Released in 1974, this is the fourth album from the Charlie Daniels Band, and the fifth from Charlie Daniels overall. It is also the first (oldest) Daniels album that is available on CD. It is 42 minutes long and the sound quality is fairly good, but not perfect.

This was the major break through for Charlie Daniels. His previous albums hardly got any airplay, until his third album, Honey In The Rock, with Uneasy Rider. Also, the FM radio stations would play No Place To Go. I remember the first few times I heard it, and tried to figure out who the band was (Allman Brothers? Marshall Tucker? Quicksilver?).

With Fire on the Mountain, Daniels hit it big with The South's Going To Do it Again. Sort of Daniels' and southern rock's answer to Peter, Paul and Mary's, I Dig Rock and Roll Music.

Long Haired Country Boy was also a mild hit. It has one of my favorite lines: "the early morning sun shines/through the bubbles in my beer". Also getting airplay was Caballo Diablo, a rocking country song.

Fire on the Mountian also included live versions of Orange Blossom Special and No Place to Go (at 11 minutes) for the Southern Boogie fans.

Like many of his later albums, Fire On the Mountain would be a regurgitation of earlier works. Trudy and Georgia were also on Daniels first album (called Charlie Daniels). No Place to Go was on Honey in the Rock and Orange Blossom Special was a concert standard for Daniels and was on other live compilations featuring Daniels and other southern rock bands.

For many this is the first Daniels album because the first four have been forgotten (almost lost). In the late seventies, they were re-issued, but with different covers and titles. Honey in the Rock was re-issued as Uneasy Rider and Way Down Yonder was re-issued as Whiskey. None of these are available on CD.

Daniel's first hit, Uneasy Rider, was a spoken word number about a long haired hippy type getting a flat tire in front of a redneck bar, and how he had to fight his way out once the rednecks realized he had long hair. In a nasty turn, he made a remake of Uneasy Rider, called Uneasy Rider 88 on Homesick Heroes. In this updated version, Daniels accidently winds up in a gay bar, and he brags about how he beat up the fags.

Charlie Daniels was in his thirties before he formed his first band. Prior to this he tried writing for others (Elvis did one of his songs), was a studio musician (played on some of Dylan's records) and was a producer (Youngbloods). With the Charlie Daniels Band, he did southern rock for nearly a decade before going more country. He has a "museum" in Nashville, which is the back part of a store in the downtown area, a few doors down from Hooters.

Daniels Band was probably the second Southern Rock band (after the Allman Brothers). He added some more country to the sound (the Allman Brothers were more blues and jazz oriented). He also added the ridiculous big fat good old boy personna with the ridiculous oversized cowboy hat. He had some good songs and added some depth ot the music with his guitar playing and fiddle.

One of the best albums of it's time! Charlie Daniels at his best. Fantastic grooves great storytelling. If you are looking for the essence of who Charlie Daniels is this is it!!!

I bought this album (I agree - sorry CD)when it was brand new and have kept it ever since....

Saw the CDB right after his came out and have been hooked ever since...