The members were assembled from various other professional bands, and were all competent musicians. Carrack and Comer had previously played with Warm Dust, and King with Mighty Baby, whose antecedents were the 1960s band The Action. Ace were popular on the pub rock circuit. Their music was pop with a funk influence.
Before the recording of their debut album, Five-A-Sid, ex-Bees Make Honey drummer Fran Byrne replaced Witherington. The single "How Long?" (a song about one of the members leaving for another group) was taken from this record, and was a significant chart success, achieving a Top 20 place in the UK Singles Chart, and reaching number three in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its bass introduction was similar to that of "Travelling Song" by Pentangle. Carrack's electric piano was also prominent on the recording. In addition, "How Long" is believed to have been an instrumental influence on Steely Dan as well as shaping the vocal styling of Boz Scaggs.
The band eventually moved to the United States, and replaced Phil Harris with Jon Woodhead in June 1976. They disbanded in July 1977, when most of the remaining members joined Frankie Miller's band.
Carrack has since played in Eric Clapton's band, played with Roxy Music for the Manifesto album and tour, joined Squeeze in the early 1980s, and later played with Mike + The Mechanics. He also re-recorded "How Long", as a solo artist, which became a UK Top 40 hit again in 1996.
Please click here to buy this classic recording!
No comments:
Post a Comment