Author Archives: John S

About John S

I'm blogging about the things I love: music, sport, culture, London, with some photos to illustrate aspects of our wonderful city. I’ve written a novel called “The Decision”, a futuristic political thriller, and first of a trilogy. I’m also the author of a book on music since the 1970s called “ I Was There - A Musical Journey” and a volume of poetry about youth, “Growin’ Up - Snapshots/ Fragments”. All available on Amazon and Kindle.

lovelondonscenes 170 – Back to the heart of London

Posted on June 22, 2020

Last Monday I took a train for the first time in three months to central London, and some of my favourite locations down by the river. I stayed away from the tube and caught a near-empty train at Brentford to … Continue reading →

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40 from 2020

Posted on June 12, 2020

BBC 6 Music has just had a day where all the DJs played their favourite tracks of the first half of 2020. I listened to quite a lot and loved it. And, as ever, discovered a few new tunes I … Continue reading →

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A Thames Journey: (2) From Cricklade, via Lechlade, to Newbridge

Posted on June 3, 2020

This stretch of the river, winding its way through Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire involves a walk of just under 28 miles. We did it over three days at two different times. The walk from Cricklade to a spot between Highworth … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes 169 – Return to the Canal

Posted on May 21, 2020

I walked along the Grand Union Canal for the first time since lockdown today. It’s not that far away, but I have diligently been doing circuits of the local park, listening to podcasts, over the past nine weeks. I was … Continue reading →

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A Thames Journey: (1) From the Source to Cricklade

Posted on May 14, 2020

Sweete Themmes, runne softly, till I end my song. (Edmund Spenser, 1596) One of the things I’ve missed most in this time of lockdown is being able to walk along the banks of the River Thames. I’ve whiled away many … Continue reading →

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Graceland – the Book and the Place

Posted on April 28, 2020

This is a blog I’ve been meaning to write since last year. One of the many pleasures of the End of the Road festival are the interviews that take place in the mornings and early afternoon in the literary tent, … Continue reading →

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Moses Boyd at the Electric Brixton, 12 March 2020

Posted on March 15, 2020

Moses Boyd is a leading member of the new generation of jazz artists who have been causing a bit of a sensation in recent times. His new solo album “Dark Matter” ventures far and wide in its musical influences, but … Continue reading →

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BBC 6 Music Festival – the Roundhouse, 8 March 2020

Posted on March 12, 2020

The BBC 6 Music festival was held in London this year – Camden, in north London, to be precise. Tickets for the three day event sold incredibly quickly, but I managed to get a couple for Sunday for the main … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes 168 – Sunshine on the Canal – or is it the River?

Posted on March 7, 2020

A familiar scene, the Grand Union Canal – and the River Brent. The two become one on this lower stretch, which leads at Brentford into the Thames. After two days of incessant rain and most of the news being about … Continue reading →

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Big Thief at Hammersmith Apollo, 27 February 2020

Posted on March 5, 2020

Big Thief are one of my favourite bands at the moment. I love their combination of folk, Americana and indie with an off-kilter element which reminds me a little of Radiohead. Singer Adrianne Lenker has a fragile but versatile voice … Continue reading →

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