Category Archives: Art, books, theatre, cinema

“Lazarus”, by David Bowie and Enda Walsh, at the King’s Cross Theatre, 22 January 2017

Posted on January 22, 2017 by John S

This Sunday afternoon, Kath and I went to see the last performance of “Lazarus”, the musical created by David Bowie and playwright Enda Walsh. You probably know that this was first performed in New York in December 2015, not long … Continue reading →

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The Turner Prize 2016, Tate Britain

Posted on December 22, 2016 by John S

The Tate is a few minutes walk from my office, and I popped down there this lunch time to take a look at the exhibition of the shortlisted artists for this year’s Turner Prize. The prize is for artists under … Continue reading →

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“I Was There – A Musical Journey”. Now on Amazon and Kindle!

Posted on November 26, 2016 by John S

  Finally! All the tweaks and formatting done. The page index revised, then revised again.  “I Was There – A Musical Journey”, the story of my musical life, is now available on Amazon and Kindle. You can see the Amazon … Continue reading →

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“Born to Run” (the autobiography) by Bruce Springsteen

Posted on November 21, 2016 by John S

Bruce Springsteen is responsible for the best record I ever heard – “Darkness on the Edge of Town”. He is responsible for the best concert I ever saw – Wembley in 2013, when he played the whole of “Darkness on … Continue reading →

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Two novels with jazz

Posted on August 5, 2016 by John S

I’ve read two novels this holiday in which jazz plays a part. Sometimes subversive, always arousing emotions, inspiring the writer. When I wrote about jazz in my book, “I Was There – A Musical Journey”, I described a music that … Continue reading →

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“Painting the Modern Garden – Monet to Matisse”, at the Royal Academy

Posted on April 20, 2016 by John S

The exhibition, “Painting the Modern Garden – Monet to Matisse” at the Royal Academy, has just closed. I went a couple of times, and what a wonderful collection! This was art at it’s most appealing: you want stunning scenery, you … Continue reading →

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“The Chimes” by Anna Smaill

Posted on April 11, 2016 by John S

  I’ve just finished reading a rather intriguing and gripping novel called “The Chimes” by Anna Smaill, a New Zealand author. It was long listed for last year’s Booker prize, but I only came across it when I googled “dystopian … Continue reading →

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From Bethnal Green to Elephant and Castle: the language of place, the roots of English music and its twisted offspring

Posted on March 10, 2016 by John S

Two rather different evenings yesterday and today. Last night I was at St John’s Church in Bethnal Green to hear three talks on the Language of Place and some folk music from the Memory Band; tonight it was the irrepressible … Continue reading →

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I Was There is here!

Posted on February 27, 2016 by John S

Eight years in the making, my music book, “I Was There – A Musical Journey”, finally emerges from the printers! This edition isn’t for sale, but I’m working on a version that will be ready for selling soon. So watch … Continue reading →

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Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink, by Elvis Costello

Posted on February 14, 2016 by John S

I’ve just finished reading Elvis Costello’s autobiography, “Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink”. The book got mixed reviews when it came out. Good in parts, seemed to be a theme. Some critics objected to the length, the detail, the supposed name-dropping. … Continue reading →

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