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.

Honeyblood at Koko, Camden, 16 June 2017

Posted on June 17, 2017 by John S

I’d been waiting for this one with real anticipation, ever since it dawned on me that Honeyblood had made two of the finest albums that I have heard for a long time. When I reviewed “Babes Never Die”, I was … Continue reading →

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

Have you Heard? – (82) “Slowdive” by Slowdive

Posted on June 10, 2017 by John S

Slowdive are a band who were cast as part of the “shoegaze” movement on the early 1990s. Music in which the guitars drifted and occasionally roared, and the vocals were dreamy. Haircuts were floppy. I was not averse to this … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A summer songs playlist

Posted on June 8, 2017 by John S

A friend at work asked me for a summer playlist. It’s on Spotify. A bit of a mix of the breezy, the dancey, the sultry and the chilled. Open to suggestions for additions!

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

Field Day festival, Victoria Park, Hackney, 3 June 2017

Posted on June 6, 2017 by John S

On Saturday, my friend Jon and I went up to Hackney in East London, Victoria Park to be precise, for the Field Day music festival. It’s the first time either of us had been, although it has been well-established for … Continue reading →

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

My Top Twenty – Steely Dan Songs

Posted on May 29, 2017 by John S

The other day, one of my biggest blog followers (a select bunch!), he who shall be known as DC, requested a Steely Dan top ten. This stemmed from a show we went to last year, at the Half Moon, Putney, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

lovelondonscenes 132 – A short Thames walk, from Hammersmith to Kew

Posted on May 29, 2017 by John S

Yesterday, Jon, Maggie, Kath and I did a completist walk, filling in a gap in what we’ve walked together, though the route was very familiar to me, at least, having cycled it a zillion times. Starting at Hammersmith Bridge and … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Love and Hope (for Manchester)

Posted on May 23, 2017 by John S

Last night’s atrocity at the Manchester Arena is beyond words, as many, including the singer Ariana Grande in the aftermath, have said. Beyond senseless. Pure evil. I have nothing I can add to that – just my heartfelt best wishes … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Sportsthoughts (158) – Those Premier League predictions!

Posted on May 22, 2017 by John S

So, it’s that time of the year to ‘fess up and check my predictions against the outcomes in the Premier League, with the season finishing yesterday. And it’s fair to say that they were even wider of the mark than … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes 131 – Brick Lane, on reflection

Posted on May 18, 2017 by John S

In April I had a walk through the City and onto Brick Lane and Spitalfields. This one I took of a building which fired the image back at me. My favourite Brick Lane moment was just off Brick Lane. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

lovelondonscenes 130 – View from Millbank Tower, 28th floor

Posted on May 13, 2017 by John S

Back here for another work team event – we are next door. The views are stunning, especially over Lambeth Bridge and into the City. The Thames, fairly low tide, looked very muddy today. Maybe it’s the perspective from this height.

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