Fire on the Mountain

Grateful Dead, 1978, from Shakedown Street. Solo by Jerry Garcia.

A two-chord groove that Garcia fills with bright, rhythmic phrases, usually paired live with Scarlet Begonias.

Fire on the Mountain rides a hypnotic two-chord groove, and that open framework gives Jerry Garcia room to play some of his most rhythmic, dancing phrases. On the Shakedown Street recording and especially in concert, his lines are short, bright and syncopated, often built from repeated figures that he pushes and pulls against the beat. The simplicity of the harmony means everything depends on feel, and Garcia's touch keeps it from ever sounding static. Live, it was most often paired with Scarlet Begonias, with the transition between the two becoming a favourite part of shows. Listen for how he uses small shifts in picking attack and tone to create variety within the same two chords, rather than relying on speed.

Fire on the Mountain by Grateful Dead is featured in our Jam (#14) list. The solo is played by Jerry Garcia and the song was released in 1978.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Jam Band Guitar Solos — #14
• The Best Grateful Dead Guitar Solos — #8

Sources