The 101 Strings Orchestra was a highly successful easy-listening ensemble, renowned for its lush, melodic sound and a discography exceeding 150 albums. Launched in 1957 by record mogul David L. Miller under Somerset Records, it capitalized on the mood music trend, featuring arrangements by Monty Kelly, Joseph Kuhn, and Robert Lowden.
Initially recorded by the Northwest German Radio Orchestra in Hamburg under Wilhelm Stephan, the group’s trademark was its rich string focus, promoted with the slogan “The Sound of Magnificence.” Early releases like The Soul of Spain (1958) blended exotica and lounge styles.
In 1964, Miller sold the franchise to Al Sherman, who rebranded it as Alshire and shifted recording to London. The orchestra adapted to pop trends with albums like Astro-Sounds from Beyond the Year 2000 (1969), later sampled by electronic artists.
Selling over 50 million records worldwide, it achieved five UK chart hits, including a number one. The original run ended in 1981, but the “New 101 Strings Orchestra” revived the name in the late 1990s for modern recordings. Its legacy lies in its timeless, soothing orchestral sound.
Songs of 101 String you can hear at Instrumentals Forever:
| A Taste Of Soul |
| Aura Lee (Love Me Tender) |
| Call Me Irresponsible |
| Everybody Loves Somebody |
| Feelings |
| Guantanamera |
| Memory from ”Cats” |
| Moon River |
| Music Box Dancer |
| Nancy’s Song |
| New York New York |
| Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head |
| Scarborough Fair |
| Strangers In The Night |
| Summer Of ’42 |
| The Girl From Ipanema |
| The Shadow Of Your Smile |
| Theme from ”Elvira Madigan” |
| This Guy’s In Love With You |
