Over the Rainbow

Engrossing ... Louche, amusing, self-effacing and evocative ... [There is] a thrilling, underlying sense of propulsion ... It turns out that life beyond the velvet rope is as hectic and messy as everyone else’s. The result reads like Clarkson’s Farm meets The Darling Buds of May by way of Mötley Crüe’s The Dirt

Engrossing ... Louche, amusing, self-effacing and evocative ... [There is] a thrilling, underlying sense of propulsion ... It turns out that life beyond the velvet rope is as hectic and messy as everyone else’s. The result reads like Clarkson’s Farm meets The Darling Buds of May by way of Mötley Crüe’s The Dirt

Over the Rainbow is a gorgeous book. Warm and funny and generous. James is a true writer

Over the Rainbow is not a typical music memoir, but then James has never been a typical band bore ... This book is a freewheeling - and very funny - account of a middle-aged man given a second chance to play pop star again ... It's rather enviable ... who doesn't want to have fun?

This book is so good. I was astounded by it. It’s absolutely gorgeous. A real page-turner, a joyous read … It’s compelling

Who says you can’t relive your youth? Just tell that to Blur, who reformed recently, made a corker of an album and then knocked out a world tour. Alex James, the band’s bassist, has written a book on the experience — by turns funny and frightening, Over the Rainbow zips along … It’s rich stuff

This may be the most cheerful book ever written … A splendid, entertaining read

Joyfully chaotic …. a memoir of Blur’s comeback year … James is a man fully aware of the pleasures of a life lived ridiculously

Alex James is a writer, farmer, and the bass player with Blur. He lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and five children.