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.

Sportsthoughts (48) – Europe wins the Ryder Cup!

Posted on October 1, 2012 by John S

Well, what about that?…. (Apologies to American readers for the eurocentricity of this review, but you know how it is). What a story! Going into the singles on day three of the Ryder Cup, the US were leading 10-6. Totally … Continue reading →

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

Sportsthoughts (47) – Ryder Cup Day One

Posted on September 29, 2012 by John S

Just spent the last three hours vegging on the sofa watching the USA whup Europe in the fourballs. Only real resistance was from Belgian Nicholas Colsaerts of Belgium, who hits the ball further than anyone else and putted magnificently.  His … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Sportsthoughts (46) – Defending a Fish Supper

Posted on September 26, 2012 by John S

So “Big Sam” Allardyce was angry as his – my – team, West Ham, crashed out of the Capital One League Cup, losing 4-1 at home to Wigan. Wigan! You bet he was angry – with the team of course. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Have You Heard? – (22) How the Clash and the SOS Band, via Beats International, led to Professor Green

Posted on September 26, 2012 by John S

A journey through sound… Still on that Clash reggae trip  – another of the great tracks off “London Calling” is The Guns of Brixton. A bit of Clash bravado, but Paul Simenon contributes a menacing vocal and the bass line … Continue reading →

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

University College, Oxford, in the Autumn Sunshine

Posted on September 23, 2012 by John S

I was a student at University College between 1977 and 1980. The era of punk and new wave! I studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics. The subject generally gets the blame for most things that go wrong in Britain these days, … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Have You Heard? – (21) “Revolution Rock” by the Clash… and Danny Ray

Posted on September 21, 2012 by John S

I’ve been playing a bit of Clash reggae this week.  Never fails to lift you up. Some of the best music ever, in my world. My Have you Heard 3 is a tribute to some of that music. “Revolution Rock” … Continue reading →

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

A visit to the Poble Espanyol, Barcelona

Posted on September 16, 2012 by John S

If you are in Barcelona and fancy a few hours of tranquility and lovely architecture, I can recommend the Poble Espanyol, up in the hills – Montjuic to be precise – overlooking the city. I went there with our friends, … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Have You Heard? – (20) “If Not For You” by Bob Dylan, Olivia Newton-John… and what they spawned!

Posted on September 15, 2012 by John S

I was listening to my iPod on shuffle tonight as I cooked dinner, and on came “If Not For You” by Bob Dylan. It’s from one of his post motorbike crash country albums of the late sixties/ early seventies, “New … Continue reading →

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

My Top Ten – Roxy Music

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John S

Roxy Music are one of the great British bands of the 70s – and 80s. There has never been anyone else like them. When they burst on the scene in the early seventies, I, as a young teenager, didn’t really … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Have You Heard? – (19) Kurt and Kylie!

Posted on September 11, 2012 by John S

So, I was writing a piece for my musical journey book earlier tonight, about Kylie Minogue. Part of a sweep up of 80s popsters who didn’t fit into any other categories. Next to her on my iPod was Kurt Vile, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment