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Thursday 21 January 2016

An Ace Album


Another one from the murky corners
Given that the classic format of an LP is 5 tracks per side (as per the Imaginary Albums of Vinyl Villian fame) it was probably only a matter of time before a band came up with an album of that name.
Step forward Ace with their debut album on Anchor Records from 1974.
They were formed in Sheffield in 1972 as Ace Flash and the Dynamos but this was quickly abbreviated.

They are pretty much famous for their single How Long and nothing else. The follow up single is also featured here. It bombed.
Lead singer Paul Carrack subsequently went on to perform a number of musical atrocities as part of Mike and the Mechanics.

Ace - How Long

Ace - Rock 'n' Roll Runaway

12 comments:

  1. Listening to the opening I thought it could have been Little Feat. This is not a bad song,and certainly not as bad as you intimated the other day.

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  2. Listening to the opening I thought it could have been Little Feat. This is not a bad song,and certainly not as bad as you intimated the other day.

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  3. I recall seeing Ace on the telly back in, about, 1975. Was very impressed and enjoyed the tunes I heard from that album. Never bought it, mind. Probably can't get hold of it now. Carrack had a great voice but let's not mention Mike and his Mechanics.

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  4. Yes, let's mention his work with Nick Lowe and Squeeze instead. Also, he had one great solo album, Suburban Voodoo. And yes, I'm completely serious.

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  5. Never heard of this lot before.

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    Replies
    1. Surely you must have heard How Long before Drew? Do you never listen to Smooth Radio?!

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  6. You lucky bastard Drew. 'How Long' is a song that was never off the radio when I was 11 or 12 years of age. I hated it then and still can't stand it. Play it and I bet you recognise it.

    It was a source of concern when Paul Carrack joined Squeeze as I feared he would drag them right into MOR territory....which he threated to do with the hit single 'Tempted'. Thankfully Mr ex-Genesis came and grabbed him soon after..

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  7. I'm with JC here. How Long is one of those songs I can easily come up with when discussing overplayed tracks from my youth! And when Carrack joined Squeeze AND was given the mic, I was very worried. I guess Difford and Tilbrook were as well since he seemed to only be there for a transitional period and then everything was back in order.

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  8. Well, I always liked How Long, and still do.

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  9. I'm with Darcy on this. How Long is a great song. It just doesn't sound British though. For me it's got an American feel. Having said that the opening is a dead ringer for 10cc's I'm Not In Love. Wasn't aware of Carrack's involvement with Squeeze but Tempted IS a great song

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  10. I've never owned 'How Long' and haven't heard the song in donkey's years, yet still remember practically every word of the lyric. How does that happen?

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