Thursday, August 27, 2009

Jango Song Of The Day-Ace

Artist:Ace
Song:How Long
Album:The Best Of Ace Featuring Paul Carrack




This very memorable song by the British group Ace was a top five hit in 1975. The group didn't last that long but lead singer Paul Carrack has gone on to a very successful career. Guitarist Alan "Bam" King started out in the 60s group The Action and then Mighty Baby. He got together with guitarist Phil Harris and they recruited singer songwriter keyboardist Paul Carrack and bassist Terry "Tex" Comer from the group Warm Dust. They went through several drummers but settled on Fran Byrne in 1974. The group signed with Anchor Records and their debut album Five-a-Side spawned How Long. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Carrack wrote and sang lead on most of the album. Though most think How Long is about a failed love affair, Carrack says he wrote the song after he discovered that Comer had secretly been playing with the band The Sutherland Brothers And Quiver. Their second album Time For Another didn't do anywhere near as well. Harris was replaced by John Woodhead and Ace moved to Los Angeles but they split up in 1977. King moved to New Zealand and Carrack, Comer & Byrne joined Frankie Miller's band. Carrack left to join Roxy Music in 1979 and in the 80s was lead singer for Squeeze and later Mike & The Mechanics. He has also had a lot of success as a solo artist. Ace was the first time most folks had heard him. This comp from Varese has their first album and a few other things. Here's Ace performing How Long 1975.

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