Author Archives: John S

Unknown's avatar

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.

iphonelondonscenes – 06

Posted on October 4, 2013 by John S

There’s a new kid on the Victoria Street block. It’s called, prosaically, 62 Buckingham Gate – that’s the street which connects Victoria Street to Buckingham Palace. It has been built on the site of the old Selborne House, where I … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

On reading “Bleak House” and “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens

Posted on October 3, 2013 by John S

This summer just past, inspired by reading Clare Tomalins’s biography of Charles Dickens, “A Life”, I’ve read two of his magnum opuses, both around a thousand pages long. “Bleak House” and “David Copperfield”. Both were truly magnificent. The kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

iphonelondonscenes – 05

Posted on October 3, 2013 by John S

This is a building at the junction of Grosvenor Gardens and Buckingham Palace Road in Victoria. I walk past it every day and think, this could be in Paris. 7th arrondissement? I checked on the web, and found that it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

iphonelondonscenes – 04

Posted on October 2, 2013 by John S

View from meeting room A.

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

iphonelondonscenes – 03

Posted on October 1, 2013 by John S

This is what you get when you are waiting on the eastbound District Line platform at Acton Town. Waiting, waiting….

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

iphonelondonscenes – 02

Posted on September 30, 2013 by John S

The Cross Rail development at Victoria. You may have seen my blog wondering how anything ever gets built. It’s here if you didn’t.

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Top Ten – Manic Street Preachers

Posted on September 29, 2013 by John S

Haven’t done a top ten for a while. Apologies dear reader, but they take quite a lot of effort, uploading tracks, photos ‘n’all. But here’s a good one to get things going again. The Manic Street Preachers aren’t a band … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

iphonelondonscenes – 01

Posted on September 29, 2013 by John S

Thought I’d start a new series of photos snapped on my iPhone – still languishing on a version 3 at the moment. Daily scenes – never mind the quality, feel the place. With apologies in advance for likely bias towards … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Have You Heard? (43) Dizzee Rascal vs Nirvana

Posted on September 28, 2013 by John S

I was reminded today how much I loved this when I first saw it on Jules Holland’s Yew Year’s Eve Show a couple of years ago. Dizzee’s own rap, “Stand Up Tall”, combined with Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Awesome!

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Have You Heard? – (42) “Papua New Guinea” by The Future Sound Of London

Posted on September 27, 2013 by John S

An ambient-techno-rave classic from 1991. One of my favourites from the era. I’ve been listening to FSOL as I write about all the brilliant electro-dance music in the early 1990s. “Papua New Guinea” is just about the best. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments