Listen to Marillion’s reworked orchestral version of Fantastic Place

Marillion
Marillion (Image credit: Freddy Billqvist)

Marillion have released their reworked orchestral version of Fantastic Place.

The original version appeared on the band’s 2004 album Marbles, with the new take on the song included on With Friends From The Orchestra, which Steve Hogarth and co recently recorded with string quartet In Praise Of Folly.

The album, which features a selection of Marillion’s best-loved tracks, will be released on CD, 2LP gatefold on heavyweight vinyl, limited and coloured 2LP and on digital and streaming platforms on November 29 through earMusic.

Announcing the album with a video for Estonia, Marillion said: “Since this year’s conventions we have directed our energies to the early part of our creative process which will lead, at some point, to our next studio album.

“However, we also took a quiet decision that it could be a beautiful thing to re-record some of our catalogue along with our friends from the orchestra.

“So our brilliant producer and collaborator Michael Hunter wrote some new string arrangements and we took a week out to go to Real World Studios and record with our friends – the wonderful string quartet In Praise Of Folly, the brilliant flautist Emma Halnan and the gifted French Horn-ist, Sam Morris.

“The result has exceeded our expectations, is indeed a thing of beauty, and gives us the chance to release this 80-minute CD to accompany our November and December European tour together.

“We hope you enjoy the songs and agree with us that some of them are actually better than the originals! Whether or not you agree with that bold statement we’re sure this work will move you."

Marillion are currently on tour with In Praise Of Folly across the UK, with their next show taking place at The Forum in Bath on Saturday (October 9).

A deluxe edition of Marillion’s 1995 album Afraid Of Sunlight was released on November 1 on 4CD/Blu-ray and as a 5LP box set.

Marillion: With Friends From The Orchestra

<a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FFriends-Orchestra-VINYL-Marillion%2Fdp%2FB07Z74ZZKX%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"" target="_blank">Marillion: With Friends From The Orchestra
Marillion recently hooked up with touring partners In Praise Of Folly to record a selection of their best-loved tracks, giving nine of them an orchestral makeover.

Marillion: Afraid Of Sunlight Deluxe Edition

<a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FAfraid-Sunlight-Deluxe-Marillion%2Fdp%2FB07X7YPQBQ%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"" target="_blank">Marillion: Afraid Of Sunlight Deluxe Edition
Marillion's 1995 album Afraid Of Sunlight has been reissued on 4CD/Blu-ray and as a 5LP box set and include remixes, demos, live cuts and a documentary.

Marillion: With Friends From The Orchestra
1. Estonia
2. A Collection
3. Fantastic Place
4. Beyond You
5. This Strange Engine
6. The Hollow Man
7. The Sky Above The Rain
8. Seasons End
9. Ocean Cloud

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.