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.

Have you heard? – (67) Gengahr and This Is the kit

Posted on September 6, 2015 by John S

Over the summer, especially since Latitude in mid-July, the two albums I’ve been listening to most are “A Dream Outside” by Gengahr and “Bashed Out” by This Is the Kit. I’d heard both albums before Latitude and already liked them … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 103. A walk from Erith to Greenwich.

Posted on August 31, 2015 by John S

On the Saturday just gone, Kath and I, with our friends Jon and Maggie, took a succession of trains out to Erith, in Kent, not far from Dartford, to walk back along the River Thames into Greenwich. Why? Well, the … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (136) – West Ham’s wacky start to the season

Posted on August 30, 2015 by John S

Just four games in. I’d have been hoping for six points and we’ve got six points. I’d have expected losses away to Arsenal and Liverpool, wins at home to relegation candidates, Leicester and Bournemouth. So we beat Arsenal and Liverpool … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 102

Posted on August 28, 2015 by John S

The muddy flats of the Thames as the tide drifts away. Photos taken yesterday afternoon, as I strolled from Putney to Chiswick. By the time I got to Chiswick Mall it was pretty much low tide. Near Putney Bridge, looking … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 101

Posted on August 23, 2015 by John S

The moment when the town planners in Brentford, West London, ran out of imagination…

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The Jam: About the Young idea, at Somerset House

Posted on August 18, 2015 by John S

There’s a great exhibition of memorabilia, photos and music about The Jam at Somerset House, on the Strand in central London, at the moment. I went there on Sunday. It was full of geezers in polo shirts, Fred Perrys to … Continue reading →

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My Top Thirteen – Reflective Songs for a Summer Evening

Posted on August 14, 2015 by John S

This was meant to be a ten, but I just couldn’t leave any of the songs out. In the same series though. They are songs with their roots in folk, but few would be classified purely as folk. They are … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (135) – Premier League predictions 2015-16

Posted on August 7, 2015 by John S

So another Premier League season is upon us and West Ham have already been knocked out of the Europa League! Still, until they do something about those interminable Thursday evening matches, few English sides will give it the priority it … Continue reading →

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The Royal Academy summer exhibition

Posted on August 1, 2015 by John S

The Royal Academy has been holding a summer exhibition for 247 years. And this was the first one that I’ve been to! I’m not sure why why I’ve never been before – just never got around to it, I guess. … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard? – (66) MonoTony and Sauna Youth with “Human Troll” and “Transmitters”

Posted on July 27, 2015 by John S

This is a great joint single. Two pieces of the best rock’n’roll noise. MonoTony provide “Human Troll”, which is simply a piledriver of riffage. Sauna Youth’s “Transmitters” is a sparky punk thrash. Love them both! With thanks to Marc Riley … Continue reading →

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