"Smoke On The Water, Fire In The Sky", a photo from New York, Northeast

Photographer's Note

Smoke On The Water
by Deep Purple
Ranked 426th on the 500 greatest rock hits ever

We all came out to montreux
On the lake geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didnt have much time
Frank zappa and the mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
We had to find another place
But swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

We ended up at the grand hotel
It was empty cold and bare
But with the rolling truck stones thing just outside
Making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We make a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know well never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

phwall, dareco, Gerrit, fulvio52, plimrn, Charo, jaywalker ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

baba_flies (8829) 2008-10-21 11:16

Actually a true story and also a dedication to Claude Nobs (funky claude), Director over all these many years and "the heart beat" of the Montreux Jazz Festival ... I like the "smoke" and now we can see someone in the boat, how nice, paddling along, exploring the shore line and again fall peaking ... NICE :))) Enjoy your day, it is dark here ... Barbara.

Barkan (187) 2008-10-21 11:17

Hello Tom,
Beautiful reflection of autumn colours in such a mysterious weather. Thanks for the bonus track as well:) Tfs.
Regards,
Barkan

WelshTraveller (354) 2008-10-21 12:14

Cool quote!! Nice photo too!

Davidwh (3662) 2008-10-21 13:12

Hi Tom,
Its been a while my friend....sadly haven't had much time lately. Lovely colours of autumn....something I really miss here as trees aren't seasonal over here.A lovely composition and I like the oily texture of the water.Take care.
Regards, David

phwall (6787) 2008-10-21 13:14

Hi Tom,
The opening riff from that song is every young mans right of passage. I like the shot, colour and movement, as they say in my business, makes for an interesting shot.
I love the wooden kayaks you use, so much better than the plastic ones, back to the shot, beautiful setting, the autumn trees, ripples on the water and that clear blue sky.
Peaceful scene, so long as its not a house on fire causing all that smoke.
Good stuff.
Regards
Pete

dareco (17136) 2008-10-21 13:32

Once again those red leaves that I love so much!! A very nice reflection and good depth and detail. TFS

jmcl (14535) 2008-10-21 13:38

Hi Tom,

hope you and yours are well ... beautiful colors .. wonderful scene .. I think maybe a touch more contrast .. but wonderful image .. the texture of the water is great .. very nice. take care, John

jurek1951 (42198) 2008-10-21 13:47

Hi Tom,
Well seen, the view is beautiful, great colours and a good composition.The lighting is well done.
Georg

Gerrit (62042) 2008-10-21 15:16

Hi Tom.
beautiful flaming colors and a remarkable hazy atmosphere under the autumnal sun.
Fine composition.
Regards, Gerrit

AROBN54 (11475) 2008-10-21 17:26

Brilliant fall colors, Tom, even through the haze. I love the composition with the bright fall colors on one side and the green pine on the other. The kayaker is in an excellent spot and this is a wonderful autumn shot! Many thanks and warm regards,
Shelly

(Oh, and I love that song, too)

papon (1487) 2008-10-21 20:08

Hi Tom!!
Beautiful color!!
I simply love this color of the trees...this is really representing the season...Very nice POV..It looks like a painting..
Congratulations for such a good color and compositions...

Cheers,
Sunandan.

gracious (20025) 2008-10-22 1:09

Hello Tom,
Great title well suited for this beautiful image! I had played this song in the band many years back, good song!
as for the image is real nice with it's awesome lighting, wonderful colour and details
many thanks for the sharing
cheers
Tony

snunney (130967) 2008-10-22 4:07

Hello Tom,
A very appealing autumn scene which benefits much in atmopshere from the passing canoeist. Warm golden tones in the foliage which is also nicely reflected in the rippling waters.

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-10-22 6:43

Hi, Tom.
The lyrics of the song, as you know, tell a true story: on December 4, 1971, Deep Purple were in Montreux, Switzerland to record an album using a mobile studio (rented from the Rolling Stones) at the local casino ("the gambling house" in the song lyric). On the eve of the recording session, Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention were playing in the theatre. During the gig a fire broke out: somebody in the audience had fired a flare gun into the ceiling, causing the rattan covering to catch fire, as mentioned in the "some stupid with a flare gun" line. The fire destroyed the entire casino complex, along with all the Mothers' equipment. Smoke on the water became the title of the song thanks to Roger Glover (who says the title occurred to him when he woke from a dream a few days later) and refers to the smoke spreading over Lake Geneva as the members of Deep Purple watched the fire from their hotel across the lake.
I happened to be In Montreux at the time (not too far from my hometown of Turin, Italy), to see Frank Zappa, but couldn't find tickets...
I still play that riff, on my black 1971 Les Paul, for the joy of my neighbors...
Great shot, buddy. Wonderful lighting and colors!
Have good day, you & your pals. I'll see you soon.
Fulvio.

feather (51130) 2008-10-22 7:16

You have a wonderful collection of autumn colours in your recent gallery. This is another beauty with the red leaves + their reflection in the water. Well timed to place the boat with space to sail into.
Kath

plimrn (21344) 2008-10-22 15:04

Hi Tom,
I like the way the kayak gliding through the reflection echos the colors of the beautiful trees at their peak. So who is paddling your boat these days??
HLJ, Pat

cfreire (11741) 2008-10-22 15:14

Hi Tom,
Another splendid autumn's capture with beautiful colors and reflections. The POV is smart with good depth and reflections indeed. Well done. Regards, Consuelo

jplebrun (21208) 2008-10-22 15:56

Hi Tom
de toute beauté ce mélange de brume et de couleurs de l'automne, tu as bien saisi le bon moment avec le kayak dans l'environnement belle composition
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

ktanska (44492) 2008-10-23 5:59

Hi Tom,
Very intense fall reds showing against the sky Trees are like on fire, but is there smoke? Great looking experience.
I'm just going to Montreux for a weekend, let's hope the weather will look like that!
Kari

Charo (51290) 2008-10-24 3:21

Hello Tom,
Lovely walk in canoeing, and relaxing with a magnificent landscape full of color.
Good momentum and excellent details and reflexes.
Best regards,
Charo

jaywalker (16105) 2008-10-24 11:02

Hi Tom, I remember Smoke on the water very well, however I never know of it's ranking, the photo is beautiful with those autumn colours a blaze in the background & the canoe is well positioned & I must admit I would like to be on that water, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

clic (76) 2008-10-26 15:27

Hello Tom
No wonder why the kayakist takes a break; a pleasant smell of burning leaves comes from behind the house and contributes with the fiery colors and thier reflected image to an enjoyable autumnal mood!
Best regards.
Robert

mumek (20226) 2008-10-30 3:09

Hi Tom!
Beautiful colours of the water and superb reflections. Fantastic autumn scenery with lonely kayaker. Great shot.
best regards
ziggy