Tag Archives: music

Have you Heard? – (77) The latest from James Blake and Frank Ocean

Posted on September 18, 2016 by John S

I’m talking about “The Colour in Anything” by James Blake and “Blonde” by Frank Ocean. I’ve been meaning to review James Blake’s “The Colour in Anything” for ages. It came out in May, at about the same time as Radiohead’s … Continue reading →

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End of the Road festival, 2016

Posted on September 8, 2016 by John S

  This year, my friend Jon G and I decided that we should try a second festival after Latitude. We chose End of the Road, which, as its name suggests, is one of the last big festivals of the season … Continue reading →

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Have you Heard? – (75) “Where Boys Fear to Tread’ by Smashing Pumpkins

Posted on August 23, 2016 by John S

I’m on the tube, coming back from a few beers with my good friend Paul D. Music a big topic of conversation through the evening. He is a massive fan of Neil Young, Grateful Dead and Americana, as well as … 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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Latitude 2016

Posted on July 19, 2016 by John S

Another year, another Latitude. My fifth. Three days when you shake off the daily grind and just relax, watch 30 bands, drink Tuborg and enjoy the sense of community that is all around. OK, if it rains there is a … Continue reading →

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Massive Attack and Elvis Costello live, July 2016

Posted on July 9, 2016 by John S

Not together, but two of my all-time favourite artists played in London this month. Massive Attack opened the British Summer Time series of live concerts in Hyde Park on Friday 1 July. Elvis Costello and the Imposters played the Roundhouse … Continue reading →

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Wembley Stadium, 5 June 2016

Posted on June 8, 2016 by John S

So, three years on from Bruce’s last appearance at Wembley, we were back on Sunday to enjoy the latest instalment. Last time, in June 2013, I concluded in my review that it was the best concert that I had ever … Continue reading →

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My Top Twenty – Most played songs on iTunes/iPod

Posted on June 4, 2016 by John S

I’ve compiled plenty of lists of favourites in the past – top tens, twenties, hundred albums, even a 200 tunes. But do they actually represent what I listen to most? I thought I’d  sort my iTunes by “plays” and see. … Continue reading →

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Let’s Eat Grandma at Electrowerkz, Islington, 1 June 2016

Posted on June 2, 2016 by John S

Last night my friend Jon and I ventured up to Islington and a venue in an old warehouse called Electrowerkz to see a new young duo called Let’s Eat Grandma. Jon had heard them on 6 Music, and they are … Continue reading →

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Radiohead at the Roundhouse, 26 May 2016

Posted on May 28, 2016 by John S

The first Radiohead concerts in the UK since 2012, and in London they chose to play three nights at the Roundhouse. It’s a great venue – maybe my favourite – but it only holds about 3,000. So fewer people will … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments