Author Archives: John S

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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.

Reflections on Bob Dylan as he turns 80

Posted on May 24, 2021 by John S

Today is Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday. The troubadour, the poet – with his Nobel Prize – the spokesman for a generation, even if he didn’t see himself that way. And now one of the great survivors, still playing, touring and … Continue reading →

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A Thames Journey: (7) From Hampton Court to Kew

Posted on March 13, 2021 by John S

Glide gently, thus forever glide,                                                                        … Continue reading →

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My Top Twenty Albums of 2020

Posted on December 24, 2020 by John S

2020… A year to forget in so many respects. But a year in which the music didn’t die, despite all the restrictions put on it. Quite the opposite in fact – without the solace and inspiration of music all the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

A Thames Journey: (6) From Marlow to Hampton Court

Posted on November 19, 2020 by John S

In this leg of the journey we move from the picturesque countryside of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire to the suburban outskirts of London. It’s a walk of around 33 miles, which we did in four stretches – the last of which … Continue reading →

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A Thames Journey: (5) From Cholsey to Marlow

Posted on October 27, 2020 by John S

This, the fifth of my Thames Journey series, covers a 36 mile stretch of the river, which we covered in three walks in 2016 and 2017. It’s a part of the journey where the river does a 180 degree turn, … Continue reading →

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The Last Track

Posted on October 14, 2020 by John S

I was listening to Mary Anne Hobbs’ show on BBC 6 Music the other day. She was about to play an Autechre track, which will be the last piece on the forthcoming album. She said she often listens to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , | 2 Comments

lovelondonscenes 171 – From Putney Bridge to Kew Bridge

Posted on September 30, 2020 by John S

It was a pleasant day yesterday – the last for a while if the forecasts are right – so I took the opportunity to have a stroll along the river. I took a train from Brentford to Putney and walked … Continue reading →

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“Everybody Hurts” – Two songs that resonated on a June day this year

Posted on September 27, 2020 by John S

I was looking through notes I’d made on my phone earlier today. I came across this piece I’d written on 16 June with the intention of posting it with some photos I’d taken of central London by the river on … Continue reading →

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A Thames Journey: (4) From Oxford to Cholsey

Posted on September 10, 2020 by John S

This stretch of the river is about 26 miles long. Taking into account various diversions, we probably made it up to 30 at least, over three walks. As with previous walks in this series we completed them at different times, … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (167) – Premier League predictions for 2020-21

Posted on September 6, 2020 by John S

Hot on the heels of my assessment of the season 2019-20, here come the predictions for 2020-21! Who knows what this season will be like with the pandemic far from over and with every chance of a resurgence of cases … Continue reading →

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