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.

Picasso and Modern British Art at the Tate Britain

Posted on May 29, 2012 by John S

Been meaning to write about this for a while, having been a couple of times to the exhibition.  It’s a mix of things: partly a collection of Picasso works that have found their way into British hands and partly a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Buzzocks, Brixton O2 Academy 26 May 2012

Posted on May 29, 2012 by John S

The Buzzcocks. One of the great punk bands. Up there with the Pistols, Clash and Jam. Northern songs of lost love, exclusion, misery.  But with the best pop melodies of any punk band. Their album “Another Music In A Different … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sportsthoughts (26) – You Ain’t Seen Nothing Like The Mighty Quins!

Posted on May 28, 2012 by John S

We did it!.  We won the Premiership Final! Quins 30 Leicester 23! Blimey, it was tense at the end. Full time about to end, but Leicester still in possession, virtually on Quins’ line, put in at the scrum. Play continues … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Our Top Ten – Coldplay

Posted on May 25, 2012 by John S

John: This is a special Top Ten, because it’s a joint effort between  my son, Kieran, and me. Kieran is 16, going on 17,  and is into a wide range of music.  Rap is his main thing, but like so … Continue reading →

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

Have You Heard? – ( 15) “Girl From The North Country” by Bob Dylan…and Johnny Cash

Posted on May 22, 2012 by John S

“The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” is my favourite Dylan album. And that is saying something. I’m always staggered to think it was only his second album, coming out in 1963. It has tunes like “Blowing in the Wind”, ‘A Hard Rain’s … Continue reading →

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

My new domain name – tfw5.com !

Posted on May 22, 2012 by John S

People who know about these things keep on telling me I should purchase my own domain name – so I have! Not really sure what difference it makes, but anyway, I’m now, as far as any readers of this blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Random stuff | 6 Comments

My Top Ten – Prince

Posted on May 21, 2012 by John S

Prince’s time was the eighties and early nineties, and he, more than anybody – even Michael Jackson – symbolised the coming together of musical genres. Dance, rock, sweet soul, pop, metal, funk, rap. Black and white – no boundaries. Prince … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Sportsthoughts (25) – We are Premier League, I said we are Premier League!

Posted on May 20, 2012 by John S

So West Ham blew it in the regular season, coming third in the Championship – drawing too many home matches at the business end of the season and being caught out by the remarkable winning surge of Reading in the … Continue reading →

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

Sportsthoughts (24) – Scenes from Quins vs Northampton playoff semi final

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John S

Last Saturday was the semi final play off for Quins against Northampton. Destination Twickenham, 26 May, Premiership playoff final. A season of games ultimately counting for nothing.  Quins came top of the league, but if they don’t win the playoffs, … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard? – (14) “Marquee Moon” by Television

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John S

“Marquee Moon” is one of the great New York New Wave albums of the late seventies.  No, it’s more than that. It is, for me, one of the great albums of all time. It may even be in my top … Continue reading →

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