Tag Archives: music

Prince, 1958-2016

Posted on April 22, 2016 by John S

It’s a shock writing that title. Another great artist struck down. 2016 is proving to be a momentous year for the loss of some of our musical icons. Lemmy, Bowie, and now Prince. And Prince’s departing  sudden, out of the … Continue reading →

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

Two great concerts: Wolf Alice at the Forum; Chvrches at the Royal Albert Hall

Posted on April 1, 2016 by John S

This week I’ve been to two outstanding concerts. On Tuesday it was Wolf Alice at the Forum in Kentish Town. Last night, Chvrches at the Royal Albert Hall. Wolf Alice Chvrches I went to Wolf Alice with my friend Jon … Continue reading →

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My Top Twenty – Scottish pop tunes!

Posted on March 16, 2016 by John S

This one got sparked off by a recent discussion at work about SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon’s choices on Desert Island Discs. Mostly Scottish, but that turned out to be quite wide-ranging, many not exactly Scottish. It got me thinking about … 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 →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Have You Heard? – (72) Erohs Shore

Posted on March 7, 2016 by John S

So, just to to say that one of my blog followers, Resa, put me on to this band, and her partner is involved. But as you’ll know, if you follow this blog, I only write about music I like, and … Continue reading →

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

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 →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Influences and passions : Chvrches, The Staves, Genghar… and Elton John

Posted on February 21, 2016 by John S

In London yesterday it rained, then rained, then rained some more. I used it as a reason to start editing the quotes out of my book, so it’s easier to publish commercially, and just to veg out a bit, watching … 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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Applewood Road at the Exmouth Market Centre, Clerkenwell, 11 February 2016

Posted on February 12, 2016 by John S

I went to a concert on Thursday night just gone in Exmouth Market Centre. I guess you’d call it Clerkenwell. Not an area I know particularly well, but Exmouth Market looked cool – loads of restaurants, cafés and bars. The … Continue reading →

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Two contrasting concerts: Lindi Ortega and Massive Attack

Posted on February 5, 2016 by John S

I went two concerts this week which were both brilliant, memorable. But utterly different experiences. 3 February, Brighton, Komedia: Lindi Ortega. 4 February, Brixton, O2 Academy: Massive Attack. Lindi, a new favourite, whose music has been central to me over … Continue reading →

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