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.

“I Was There – A Musical Journey”. Now on Amazon and Kindle!

Posted on November 26, 2016 by John S

  Finally! All the tweaks and formatting done. The page index revised, then revised again.  “I Was There – A Musical Journey”, the story of my musical life, is now available on Amazon and Kindle. You can see the Amazon … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

“Born to Run” (the autobiography) by Bruce Springsteen

Posted on November 21, 2016 by John S

Bruce Springsteen is responsible for the best record I ever heard – “Darkness on the Edge of Town”. He is responsible for the best concert I ever saw – Wembley in 2013, when he played the whole of “Darkness on … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Have you Heard?- (80) “The Sound of Crying” by Prefab Sprout

Posted on November 13, 2016 by John S

I don’t know if you’ll all know Prefab Sprout. They are an English band, who shone brightest in the 1980s, led by singer and all-round musician Paddy McAloon. They were indie I guess, but with a touch of Steely Dan … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Whitney and Julia Jacklin at Koko, Camden, 10 November 2016

Posted on November 11, 2016 by John S

Last night my friend Jon and I went up to Koko in Camden to catch up with a couple of bands who were at End of the Road but we missed. Julia Jacklin, an Aussie singer whose sound could be … Continue reading →

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

Songs for America

Posted on November 9, 2016 by John S

Woke up this morning… 6.45. Grab the iPhone. Guardian news app. The latest on Hillary’s victory margin.  It’s all Trump. Why is it all about Trump? Oh…… ‘Tis democracy. The American people have spoken. Just like the people of England … Continue reading →

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

The Big Moon at the Scala, Kings Cross, 3 November 2016

Posted on November 4, 2016 by John S

  To the Scala in Kings Cross to see The Big Moon, another of the bands I saw for the first time at End of the Road, and really liked. In fact I saw them twice at End of the … Continue reading →

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

Have you Heard? – (79) “Ear to the Door” by Blue House

Posted on November 3, 2016 by John S

I’ve got a new favourite song – one of those I just can’t stop playing. And it doesn’t rock! It chugs along in a Velvet Underground fashion. It isn’t dead sad either; instead it’s a wistful reflection on a break … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Bad Company at the O2 Arena (the Dome), 29 October 2016

Posted on October 30, 2016 by John S

WARNING: if you are under 40 this review may make no sense at all, unless you liked your parents’ record collection. Tonight I succumbed to the temptation of a a huge dose of nostalgia. I saw Bad Company at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker at Shoreditch Town Hall, 26 October 2016

Posted on October 26, 2016 by John S

Back in Shoreditch for another concert. At this rate I’ll have to roll my trousers up and grow a beard! A different sound altogether to Pumarosa on Monday. This time I was at Shoreditch Town Hall for Josienne Clarke and … Continue reading →

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

Noiseannoys!

Posted on October 26, 2016 by John S

I wanted to share this playlist with you for no other reason than it is SO DAMN GOOD! I play Lindi Ortega to move me, The Staves to soothe me, Radiohead to enthral me, Bruce Springsteen to inspire me. But … Continue reading →

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