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.

Sportsthoughts (168) – Premier League predictions for 2021-22

Posted on August 13, 2021 by John S

So, less than a week since the Olympics finished, and only 33 days since the European Championship final, the Premier League is back! And it starts tonight with a fixture that has me torn. My second team, Arsenal, away to … Continue reading →

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How do you know when you are finished? Reflections on Frank Bowling and the arts in general

Posted on August 9, 2021 by John S

I was in Bristol for a few days last week with my wife Kath. Exploring and enjoying that great city. On Friday morning we spent a bit of time in the Arnolfini art gallery down by the waterfront in the … Continue reading →

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Latitude 2021

Posted on July 29, 2021 by John S

  Hey boy, hey girl,                                                                        … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

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 →

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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 →

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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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