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Smoke on the Water, Japanese Style

February 25th, 2008 by Claytonian

This is one of those things that one never even contemplates getting to see. The famous English Rock and Roll song Smoke on the Water is being played by a Japanese traditional-style orchestra, named Ooedo No Hikeshi*. It gets really interesting when they start singing.

If anyone knows where to see or hear more of this group, let us know in the comments!

*:Edit: Actually it seems Ooedo No Hikeshi (大江戸の火消し) is more a name commemorating a great fire in Tokyo, and this was a group thrown together for the event. I found this in my search online:

From the 250th anniversary celebration of the Great Fire of Edo (Edo is
the traditional name of Tokyo) … one of many, but the most
destructive, held along with the Great Eruption of Fuji-san 300th
Anniversary. This is the Kabuki-za orchestra and readers along with
part of the Suntory Hall Orchestra, which occasionally features the
Crown Prince on viola (but not in this one).

The guy doing the shamisen solo was my next door neighbor 20-odd years
ago.

I doubt there is anyone on this list who will not recognize the melody.
Turn the volume up LOUD and open all of your windows.

So, I doubt there is more out there in this style. Too bad.
[via Neatorama]
2nd edit: My bad on the thinking it was an old American song. Corrected!



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18 Comments »

Comment by The Overthinker
2008-02-25 20:39:49

It’s normally known as the Great Meireki Fire (明暦の大火), since it happened in 1657, or Meireki 3. One of the world’s most destructive urban fires, and in Japan on a par with the Kanto Earthquake and the March 10 Air-raid for damage. It burned down the keep of Edo Castle, which was never rebuilt.

 
Comment by RMilner
2008-02-25 22:00:41

If you do a bit of research you will find it is a famous English rock song.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Purple

Comment by Claytonian
2008-02-27 22:29:13

my bad; would have corrected it sooner, but I am not getting comment notifications…

 
 
Comment by William G
2008-02-26 02:28:58

This was the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while.

 
Comment by Garamon
2008-02-26 03:23:10

That was great! I hope they do My Woman From Tokyo next. :)

 
Comment by madne0
2008-02-26 08:34:05

I prefer the original (even though it does get overplayed), but this was amazing. Great stuff!

 
Comment by mari fujisawa
2008-02-26 09:22:21

awesome

 
Comment by yvemarie
2008-02-26 09:34:35

very very interesting..japanese ppl can really make use of their own traditional instruments and voices in songs and music that r very foreign to their ears..the whole orchestration were also good..all of them..the conductor,,too and the arrangement they made for the music..sugoi sugoi,,,sassuga nihon,,sassuga nihonggin…..

 
Comment by kay
2008-02-26 15:11:36

that is really cool… the music when played… sounds like the stuff they might use in naruto or something.. especially with that flute they use.

 
Comment by deth
2008-02-26 17:44:19

BRITISH ROCK ACTUALLY. WHERE LED ZEPPELIN AND MARSHALL AMPS CAME FROM.

 
Comment by Bruce Smith
2008-02-26 20:00:38

As others have said it is not an American song. Deep Purple are from the UK ! Get it right ;-)

 
Comment by kawaiiflamingo
2008-02-27 05:11:15

Encore!! Please show us more!

 
Comment by tony:oeb:frosty
2008-02-28 06:26:42

Wow this was awesome. This really made my day!

 
Comment by Ian Horner
2008-02-28 18:04:04

That is possibly the BEST thing that the nation of Japan has ever produced. I NEED to find this on CD, or as a good quality Mp3, or my life will have no meaning!

 
2008-03-25 19:56:57

Awesome!

 
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