The Orchestra Hits Back
revitalises chart-topping instrumental hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s using the symphony orchestra. These are full symphonic versions created by leading composers, performers and orchestrators.
Unlike any other orchestral interpretations of ‘classic rock’ tracks that tend to rely on rock rhythm sections, electric guitars and keyboards, these are purely orchestral re-imaginations that focus on the symphony ensemble to create new versions of instrumental hits for the first time.
The first release is Julian Kershaw’s orchestration of Carlos Santana’s ‘Samba Pa Ti’ 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.
The second release is Anna Rice’s arrangement of Peter Green’s chart-topping instrumental, ‘Albatross,’ featuring soloists Greg Magee (flute) and Joy Rice (clarinet).
In November 1968, Fleetwood Mac released ‘Albatross’, which became their first number one in Europe with success in several countries and remains the band’s only number-one hit in the UK Singles Chart, spending one week at the top in January 1969.
The third release is a bold symphonic reimagining of Dick Dale’s legendary instrumental hit ‘Misirlou’, crafted by composer Michael Eimann, injecting fresh power and intensity into one of surf rock’s most electrifying classics.
Misirlou’ gained worldwide popularity through Dick Dale’s American surf-rock version, originally titled ‘Miserlou’ and recorded by Dick Dale and his Del-Tones, it popularized the traditional middle eastern tune in many countries around the world.
In 1962, Dick Dale rearranged the tune as a solo instrumental rock guitar piece. Dale’s father James Monsour and uncles were Lebanese-American musicians, and Dale remembered seeing his uncle play ‘Misirlou’ on one string of the oud. He vastly increased the tune’s conventional tempo to make it into a rock and roll classic and he recorded a new version with this faster tempo for his 1975 Greatest Hits compilation.
Used by Quentin Tarantino in the opening credits of his 1994 film Pulp Fiction, Dick Dale’s ‘Misirlou’ was introduced to a new generation of listeners and a wider audience in the USA and many other countries.
