The Orchestra Hits Back returns with a thrilling new release: a bold symphonic reimagining of Dick Dale’s legendary instrumental hit Misirlou, crafted by composer Michael Eimann. This dynamic orchestral transformation brings fresh power and intensity into one of surf rock’s most electrifying classics.
“I have known Misirlou for as long as I can remember – like many, through Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction” says Eimann. “When I was asked to arrange it for symphony orchestra, I was immediately thrilled. The Byzantine scale, which already feels exotic to Western ears, opened up a vast sonic palette. Expanding the percussion and unleashing the strings allowed me to preserve the piece’s raw drive and oriental aura, while at the same time revealing surprising new perspectives in an orchestral setting.”
Dick Dale (1937–2019) was an American guitarist and pioneer of surf rock, hailed as the “King of the Surf Guitar. His groundbreaking style blended his Lebanese heritage, Middle Eastern scales, and rapid alternate picking with rockabilly and electric guitar techniques. Rising to fame in Southern California in the early 1960s with his band The Del-Tones, Dale defined the surf rock sound through several hits including his fiery rendition of ‘Misirlou’. His reverb-heavy, wave-crashing guitar tone influenced generations of guitarists, from Jimi Hendrix to Eddie Van Halen. Though ‘Misirlou’ had deep roots in Middle Eastern folk music, Dale’s 1962 version became a cultural landmark and was immortalised again in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994). His enduring innovations cemented his legacy as one of rock’s most influential guitarists.
Released on all digital platforms on 01 October 2025.
The second release in this series is Anna Rice’s orchestration of Peter Green’s ‘Albatross’, released on all digital platforms on 07 July 2023, featuring soloists Greg Magee (flute) and Joy Rice (clarinet).
In November 1968, Fleetwood Mac released their first number one single in Europe, ‘Albatross’, on which Danny Kirwan duetted with Peter Green. Green said later that the success of “Albatross” was thanks to Kirwan. “If it wasn’t for Danny, I would never have had a number one hit record.” The single was a success in several countries and remains Fleetwood Mac’s only number-one hit in the UK Singles Chart, spending one week at the top in January 1969. ‘Albatross’ was re-released in the United Kingdom in April 1973 as part of a CBS Records series entitled “Hall of Fame Hits” and enjoyed a second UK chart run, peaking at number 2.
The first release in the series was Julian Kershaw’s orchestration of Carlos Santana’s ‘Samba Pa Ti’, released on all digital platforms on 12 June 2020, featuring soloists Caroline Dale (cello) and Jamie Talbot (clarinet).
‘Samba Pa’Ti’ was originally released on the Santana album ‘Abraxas’ in 1970. Although one of that album’s most popular air-played tracks, it was not released as a single until 1973, when it reached #27 in the UK Charts. The album was a #1 in the USA and Australia and reached #7 in the UK and France in 1970. It went on to sell six million copies worldwide, including five million in the US.