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.

Belfast Part Two: The City in Pictures

Posted on April 16, 2018 by John S

Part two of my Belfast trilogy. Mainly photos, but putting them together reminded me how much I loved this city. Even though I’d never looked properly around it before, I felt it was part of me. My second city – … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos, Random stuff | Tagged | 8 Comments

Belfast Part One: A Driver’s Story

Posted on April 10, 2018 by John S

My wife, Kath, and I have just been to Belfast and environs for a few days. It was a brilliant trip. For me, the first proper visit to the the place that my mother is from – I’ve had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Random stuff | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Have you Heard? – (87) “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves

Posted on April 2, 2018 by John S

Kacey Musgraves has just released her album “Golden Hour”. It’s her third album, not counting a compilation of Christmas songs in 2016 (let’s not go there). The first was the breakthrough “Same Trailer, Different Park” in 2013. It was an … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Music for a Celtic Soul

Posted on April 1, 2018 by John S

Celtic soul is a term I use quite a lot when describing some of my favourite music.  I devoted a chapter to it in my book, I Was There – A Musical Journey. It’s music that almost always has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Palace Winter at the Sebright Arms, Bethnal Green, 20 March 2018

Posted on March 24, 2018 by John S

Palace Winter are a band I’ve been dying to see live. Formed by an Australian, Carl Coleman, and a Dane, Caspar Hesselager, their debut album “Waiting for the World to Turn” came out in 2016. I made it No 4 … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Four concerts: Catherine McGrath, Soccer Mommy, Jack Grelle and Rews

Posted on March 13, 2018 by John S

The concerts stacked up again last week. Four in six days. All incredibly enjoyable, in their different ways. First it was Catherine McGrath at the Camden Assembly on Monday. A pub with an upstairs venue, not far from the Roundhouse. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sounds of London

Posted on March 3, 2018 by John S

A while back I put together a New York songs playlist. Well, if New York, then why not London too? Two of the great cities – very different and very similar. And one of the similarities is that they are … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

lovelondonscenes 142 – A walk along the Thames from Battersea to Hammersmith

Posted on March 1, 2018 by John S

As we freeze in the UK in temperatures and snowy conditions we’re just not used to – Canadians or Scandinavians would scoff at our woes – it’s nice to look back to a walk I did a couple of weekends … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Alvvays at the Roundhouse, 23 February 2018

Posted on February 25, 2018 by John S

On Friday just gone, DC and I went to the Roundhouse to see Canadian indie band Alvvays. I first came across them at End of the Road last year. What stood out for me then, even when I was suffering … Continue reading →

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

James Blake at the Roundhouse, 5 February 2018

Posted on February 11, 2018 by John S

Last Monday, James Blake played the Roundhouse in the round. All seating, which was the difference to usual. After all, the Roundhouse is round! It was a concert I just couldn’t miss, so I paid a bit over the odds … Continue reading →

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