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.

Julia Jacklin at the Scala, 2 March 2017

Posted on March 3, 2017 by John S

I first came across Julia Jacklin at the End of the Road festival in September last year. The programme gave her a good write up, describing her music as a cross between alt. country and grungy lo-fi. I read about … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 122 – Views from Lambeth Bridge

Posted on February 22, 2017 by John S

It’s about 5.30, Friday evening. I’m on my way to a leaving do at the brilliant Zeitgeist bar in Vauxhall. On the Black Prince Road. Excellent German beers. It’s a wonderful evening, seeing and talking to so many good people. … Continue reading →

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Emily Barker at King’s Place, 16 February 2017

Posted on February 18, 2017 by John S

On Thursday I went to Kings Place to see Emily Barker play with her new band and with her new songs. She’s spent time in Memphis and the Sam Phillips studio recording a new album, “Sweet Kind of Blue”, which … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes 121 – Tate Modern

Posted on February 13, 2017 by John S

Went to the Tate Modern yesterday to see The “Radical Eye” (Elton John’s early C20 collection of modernist photos) and Rauschenberg exhibitions. Liked the photos – Man Ray the highlight. Rauschenberg a mixed bag – liked the collages; the rest … Continue reading →

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The glory of Prague

Posted on February 12, 2017 by John S

“As a concept of cultural history, Eastern Europe is Russia, with its quite specific history anchored in the Byzantine world. Bohemia, Poland, Hungary, just like Austria, have never been part of Eastern Europe. From the very beginning they have taken … Continue reading →

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Duke Garwood at the Bodega, Nottingham, 9 February 2017

Posted on February 11, 2017 by John S

Unusually, on Thursday, I went up to Nottingham to a concert – the guitarist Duke Garwood, whom I’d first caught at Latitude in 2015 (see my piece on the Sunday shows). I really enjoyed his show then – those slowly … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (156) – Dimitri Payet and West Ham: love turns to betrayal

Posted on February 4, 2017 by John S

In January, Dimitri Payet, West Ham’s one time hero, refused to play for the club. This is a man apparently on £125,000 a week – football persists in describing salaries as a weekly amount. £6.5 million a year. Refusing to … Continue reading →

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Cabbage at the Lexington, 2 February 2017

Posted on February 4, 2017 by John S

Yesterday I went with my friend Shane to see a band called Cabbage at the Lexington on the Pentonville Road. I’ve a soft spot for this place. It is a good pub on the ground floor, and the concert room … Continue reading →

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“Lazarus”, by David Bowie and Enda Walsh, at the King’s Cross Theatre, 22 January 2017

Posted on January 22, 2017 by John S

This Sunday afternoon, Kath and I went to see the last performance of “Lazarus”, the musical created by David Bowie and playwright Enda Walsh. You probably know that this was first performed in New York in December 2015, not long … Continue reading →

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Amber Arcades at Oslo, Hackney, 18 January 2017

Posted on January 21, 2017 by John S

Back to Hackney, to see Amber Arcades again. Jon and I saw them at the Moth Club in Hackney in October last year. There’s a bar/ restaurant on the ground floor which is very good – nice food and a … Continue reading →

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