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.

Sportsthoughts (152) – Why were England so bad against Iceland?

Posted on June 28, 2016 by John S

So we lost 2-1 to Iceland in the last 16 of the Euros. Had we won, we would have been up against France in the quarters, and didn’t have high hopes about that one. But it would have been par … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Oh England!

Posted on June 24, 2016 by John S

I live and die through England, Through England, It leaves a sadness. (“England” by PJ Harvey) It’s democracy for sure… but oh England, what have you done? A vote for isolation, division, racism, hatred. A deluded vote that doesn’t recognise … Continue reading →

Posted in Random stuff | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Sportsthoughts (151) – Euro 2016 predictions!

Posted on June 11, 2016 by John S

Slightly slow off the mark, as the tournament started yesterday, but France beat Romania as expected, so nothing’s happened to change my views yet. So here are my predictions for the tournament. Guaranteed to be wrong! Winners : Spain Second: … Continue reading →

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Wembley Stadium, 5 June 2016

Posted on June 8, 2016 by John S

So, three years on from Bruce’s last appearance at Wembley, we were back on Sunday to enjoy the latest instalment. Last time, in June 2013, I concluded in my review that it was the best concert that I had ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

My Top Twenty – Most played songs on iTunes/iPod

Posted on June 4, 2016 by John S

I’ve compiled plenty of lists of favourites in the past – top tens, twenties, hundred albums, even a 200 tunes. But do they actually represent what I listen to most? I thought I’d  sort my iTunes by “plays” and see. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Let’s Eat Grandma at Electrowerkz, Islington, 1 June 2016

Posted on June 2, 2016 by John S

Last night my friend Jon and I ventured up to Islington and a venue in an old warehouse called Electrowerkz to see a new young duo called Let’s Eat Grandma. Jon had heard them on 6 Music, and they are … Continue reading →

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

Safety in numbers!

Posted on May 30, 2016 by John S

Today Kath and I, with our friends Jon and Maggie, walked along the Thames path from Cholsey downstream to Tilehurst, just outside Reading. Some very beautiful scenes, which I’ll post later this week; but I loved this scene of some … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos, Random stuff | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Radiohead at the Roundhouse, 26 May 2016

Posted on May 28, 2016 by John S

The first Radiohead concerts in the UK since 2012, and in London they chose to play three nights at the Roundhouse. It’s a great venue – maybe my favourite – but it only holds about 3,000. So fewer people will … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Have You Heard? – (74) “A Moon Shaped Pool” by Radiohead

Posted on May 23, 2016 by John S

  A week or so ago I downloaded three albums that I felt would transform the music of 2016 so far: PJ Harvey’s “The Hope Six Demolition Project”, James Blake’s “The Colour in Anything” and, the big one, Radiohead’s “A … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Sportsthoughts (150) – To Lyon for the rugby – and more!

Posted on May 15, 2016 by John S

This weekend, my friend Jon and I treated ourselves to a weekend in Lyon, one of France’s great cities, for the two European club rugby finals. Both France v England clashes: on Friday evening, Montpellier v Harlequins in the Challenge … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos, Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments