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.

Oh no, I just bought Queen’s Greatest Hits! Oh yes, they’re really good!

Posted on February 3, 2012 by John S

And the platinum version at that. Three CDs’ worth. I’ve been resisting that purchase for years.  I’ve got a bit of history with Queen though.  It’s one of those guilty pleasures. The immediate cause of the purchase was the 50th … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Westminster Cathedral – a trapped treasure

Posted on January 30, 2012 by John S

I work in a tower block at one end of Victoria Street, London SW1, the station end.  It’s fine- in fact it’s good.  The surrounding shops are excellent, there are plenty of restaurants and bars, and the transport links are … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photos | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Fiftypartydisconightmareorheavendownload!

Posted on January 27, 2012 by John S

I’m doing the music this Saturday night for three very special people who have turned fifty in recent times. One’s my wife; the other two are her close friends all the way back to school days. It will be great. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Sportsthoughts (9) – a big weekend

Posted on January 23, 2012 by John S

It was a big weekend for the football and the rugby, this weekend.  In the rugger it was the last round of group games in the Heineken Cup – who would qualify for the quarter finals? In the footie, Sky … Continue reading →

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

Histories of…..

Posted on January 21, 2012 by John S

I’ve just started reading an epic book, “The History Of Christianity”, by Diarmaid (Dermott?) MacCulloch. It’s going to take me a long time. It’s 1016 pages long and the print is very small! Now that I am both short sighted … Continue reading →

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

Have You Heard? – (8) “This City Never Sleeps” by the Eurythmics

Posted on January 20, 2012 by John S

“You can hear the sound of the underground train, though it feels like distant thunder…” I made a playlist and put it on CD for a couple of people close to me at Christmas which I called “Night”. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Have You Heard? – (7) She’s Lost Control” by Joy Division

Posted on January 18, 2012 by John S

Writing about Joy Division tonight for my book on music, I found this video during what passes for research! Two great tracks, “Transmission” first, but at 3.13 is the one I wanted to write about: “She’s Lost Control”. An extraordinary, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

St James’s Park, a sunny autumn day

Posted on January 15, 2012 by John S

On 21 November last year, 2011, I was walking back from a meeting along Birdcage Walk, which edges St James’s Park in the centre of London.  At one end of the park lies Buckingham Palace, at the other the corridors … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photos | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Have You Heard? – (6) The Worldwide sound of Gilles Peterson

Posted on January 13, 2012 by John S

I like a lot of different kinds of music. It can confuse people – how can you possibly like Metallica and, I dunno, Joni Mitchell?  How can you reconcile  Bruce Springsteen with Underworld? The Clash with Alicia Keys? Kate Bush … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (8) – festive football madness

Posted on January 9, 2012 by John S

Back to work, finally, tomorrow. Dumped the Christmas tree today.  The festive season is truly over. As ever, the footie went a bit bonkers over the festive season. Is it the sprouts or a heavy-lying Christmas pud that turns some … Continue reading →

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