Concert at the Arena di Verona, a roman amphitheater originally built in 30 A.D, "Live in Verona"
After a brief orchestral intro, things kick in with a rousing ‘Highway Star.’ All these years on, and singer Ian Gillan is still able to deliver. Though not the full-on force of nature he was 40 years ago, he is powerful throughout the entire performance. Highlights are plenty: ‘Hard Lovin’ Man,’ ‘Maybe I’m a Leo’ and ‘Strange Kind of Woman’ are all done justice here.
Though the presence of keyboard legend Jon Lord is missed, replacement Don Airey holds down the fort with respect. Meanwhile, this performance shines a bright light on the attributes of Steve Morse on guitar. He has certainly settled into his role in the band since joining in 1994.
The orchestral backing here is never a distraction, and on certain songs (‘Rapture of the Deep’ and, surprisingly, ‘Woman from Tokyo’) it adds an unexpected dimension. That being said, and to be perfectly honest, they don’t need any added power, especially with the main man, Ian Paice behind the drum kit. He and bassist Roger Glover still combine to make one of the finest rhythm sections ever to wander onto a rock stage.
Lyrics
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't 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
Smoke on the water
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
Smoke on the water
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 we'll never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
Songwriters: Ritchie Blackmore / Ian Gillan / Roger D Glover / Jon Lord / Ian Paice
Smoke on the Water lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC