Alex James appreciation

[metalhipslop]

I really feel he is way too underrated. the bass in blur is one of the things that got me so hook to the band. She's So high to Girls and Boys... I always listen mostly to the bass, since i'm a bassist.... Movin On and He Thought of Cars are probably the 2 best.

Probably already a thread like this but I want to say name again ALEX JAMES. He is a great bass player who is also a CHEESE farmer. I mean, Who doesn't love cheese and amazing bass playing!?!?!


She's So high to Girls and Boys

[Sushi]

I have been listening to The Magic Whip non stop this week and have actually been thinking this very thing! I couldn't agree more. He's one of the best bass players of all time. All of his basslines are basically hooks and there are so many songs that just wouldn't be without Alex. No Girls and Boys, no Go Out, no Entertain Me, no Ghost Ship; a LOT of the Magic Whip's great sound in general is due to his playing. It MOVES, man. It's all over the place and it perfectly fills in the spaces.

On top of that, he might actually be the number one Blur fan.

[davidsutter]

You know people never mention Pressure On Julian when they're talking about Alex's basslines.
I'd say that bass riff is better than the guitar line and the whole song would fall flat without it!

[Lt Pinkerton]

This may sound like heresy but he's almost as essential to Blur's sound as Graham imo. The guy's just flawless.

[rob_graves]

Alex is one of the best.

[thespider]

OK quick question,

Can anyone name a British bass player from the 90s who's as well renowned/as good as him?

No I can't either.

[101reykjavik]

It's a shame - I think Alex's reputation in the media precedes him. It casts a bit of a shadow over his bass playing which, as you say, is beyond most from the 90s, or for that matter lots of bands from other eras too.

[JAIME]

Good thread.

Steven(Alex) is one of my favourite bass players.
I love these great basslines: There's No Other Way, Popscene, Star Shaped, For Tomorrow, Colin Zeal, Pressure On Julian, Girls & Boys, End Of A Century, He Thought Of Cars, Entertain Me, Beetlebum, M.O.R., Movin' On, Bugman, Coffee & TV, Brothers & Sisters, Ghost Ship, etc.

Also, his wonderful book "A Bit of a Blur" is one of my fave books. I enjoy every page of it.

[Consigliere_11]

I have to say that maybe because of Alex James I started to really enjoy blur... The bass line in "Jets" is incredible and was one of the reasons I initially fell in love with "Think Tank'... His other performances are great as well, and they are well listed higher, but the "Jets" one... This was a starter for me. Simple and awesome

[JAIME]

I forgot to mention Chemical World's bassline. I like that one.

[thespider]

As far as I'm concerned, the bass line to Girls & Boys is the closest anyone's ever got to "Good Times" by Chic.

[aldamasta]

Alex is a great author, A bit of a blur is a wonderful book from front to back. He's just a fantastic guy, couldn't ask for better!

[munch]

Good thread.

Steven(Alex) is one of my favourite bass players.
I love these great basslines: There's No Other Way, Popscene, Star Shaped, For Tomorrow, Colin Zeal, Pressure On Julian, Girls & Boys, End Of A Century, He Thought Of Cars, Entertain Me, Beetlebum, M.O.R., Movin' On, Bugman, Coffee & TV, Brothers & Sisters, Ghost Ship, etc.

Also, his wonderful book "A Bit of a Blur" is one of my fave books. I enjoy every page of it.

might have to read that again!
Also, to this day.... never knew he was called steven *mind blown*

[Mallard No. 22]

It's a shame - I think Alex's reputation in the media precedes him. It casts a bit of a shadow over his bass playing which, as you say, is beyond most from the 90s, or for that matter lots of bands from other eras too.

Yes, he has 'celebrity' status, probably more than Damon does. He is the sort who would appear on 'cheesy' TV shows (in more than one sense.... )

Steven(Alex) is one of my favourite bass players.
Also, his wonderful book "A Bit of a Blur" is one of my fave books. I enjoy every page of it.

Interesting point because his book, like a lot of autobiographies written while their career is still current, is a bit uneven. Jumping from one situation to another, the chronology may be incorrect. Then again, he did call it 'Bit Of A Blur'. Chris Evans and Tim Burgess books are the same.

Whereas the biographies by Loiuse Wener and (surprisingly?) Shaun Ryder are much more specific.

[rich]

yes Alex is bloody good, I love his bass playing - but I'm not sure he's the best bass player in blur