Album review: TIM BOWNESS – Flowers At The Scene

Inside Out [Release date 01.03.19]

‘Flowers At The Scene’ is Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson’s first joint production in over a decade – they have been working as a duo under the no-man name since 1987 – although it is a Tim Bowness solo album. It is also a guest heavy album including Peter Hammill (Van Der Graaf Generator), Andy Partridge (XTC), Kevin Godley (10cc), Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Jim Matheos (Fates Warning/OSI), David Longdon (Big Big Train) and Dylan Howe.

Tim Bowness has a wonderfully mellow, dreamy vocal that sits atop the intricate music. There are many highlights including ‘Borderline’ which features Dylan Howe on drums and Big Big Train’s David Langdon on flute, added to the trumpet of Ian Dixon. Dixon appears on ‘Rainmark’, where his trumpet solo is as impressive as the guitar solo from Fair Warning’s Jim Matheos. The work and thought that has gone into each song, every note even, is simply stunning.

‘Not Married Anymore’ is a poignant piece, again the vocals lead the listener on and the dreamy soundscape adds to the song’s overall appeal.

The sound and production is spot on as you would expect given Steve Wilson’s involvement, with mastering by Steve Kitch (The Pineapple Thief). Of particular note is the percussion and drums throughout, never overpowering yet a key element to the album’s overall sound.

The real treat for this reviewer is the album’s final song ‘What Lies Here’, as it features a rare appearance by both Kevin Godley and XTC’s Andy Partridge. Both their vocals drift in and out of the song, which features a particularly fine performance from Tim Bowness and the keyboards/effects are mesmerising.

Tim Bowness is loved within prog rock circles for his solo albums and ‘Flowers At The Scene’ should see wider acclaim outside of the scene. It is an album that needs your full listening attention, background music this is not. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


Please log in/register