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 (133) – Arsenal end on a high

Posted on May 30, 2015 by John S

So Arsenal beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final today, 4-0. They played superbly. In fact, I’d say it was one of the best FA Cup performances I’ve ever seen. Maybe even the best. Their attacking verve was quite … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (132) – Quins’ and Hammers’ seasons splutter to a close

Posted on May 19, 2015 by John S

It’s been a bit of a damp squib of an end to the football and rugby season, at least if you support West Ham and Harlequins. Both have had little to play for, for some time now, and it shows. … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard? – (64) Three Kinds of Beautiful: new albums by The Unthanks, Laura Marling and The Staves

Posted on May 14, 2015 by John S

Three of the albums I’ve been listening to a lot recently are all beautiful sounds that have their roots in folk music. But the artists have evolved, taking different directions, but still capturing the soulful essence of our traditional music. … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 95

Posted on May 4, 2015 by John S

Kew Gardens in bloom, 3 May.              

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Sportsthoughts (131) – The Bees sneak through!

Posted on May 2, 2015 by John S

It looked like Brentford had blown it, as far as the play-offs were concerned. In the top six of the Championship for much of the season, a string of draws – usually after they had been in the lead – … Continue reading →

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Sharon van Etten at the O2 Empire, Shepherd’s Bush

Posted on April 30, 2015 by John S

This was a concert that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I first became aware of Sharon van Etten when she released her album, “Tramp” in 2012. At the time I played it a few times, but … Continue reading →

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“Man and Superman” at the Lyttleton, National Theatre

Posted on April 27, 2015 by John S

Yesterday Kath and I went to see George Bernard Shaw’s famous play, “Man and Superman”, at the Lyttleton Theatre at the National. A Saturday matinee performance, which started at 1.30 and finished at 5pm. Three and a half hours, which … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 94

Posted on April 19, 2015 by John S

No sooner do I capture one St Luke’s church in Chelsea, that I come across another. In the borough if not the heart of it. This one’s in Earl’s Court, heading towards the river. It’s the site of a primary … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 93

Posted on April 17, 2015 by John S

The last couple of Friday evenings, after finishing work, I’ve walked to South Kensington tube from my place of work on Millbank, by the Thames. It takes about 45 minutes, winding through Pimlico, the bottom end of Belgravia, Sloane Square, … Continue reading →

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Robin Trower at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 11 April 2015

Posted on April 12, 2015 by John S

After the brilliant Courtney Barnett on Thursday, a journey back in time… One of the first concerts I ever went to, in 1975, was a Robin Trower gig at Hammersmith Odeon. We came down to London, from Oakham, in the … Continue reading →

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