Ace -

Ace was an English soul-rock band from Sheffield that released three albums on Anchor between 1974 and 1977. Guitarist/vocalist Alan King hailed from ’60s modsters The Action and their psychedelic rebirth Mighty Baby. Keyboardist/vocalist Paul Carrack recorded three 1970–72 albums with brass-rockers Warm Dust and subsequently scored high-profile stints with Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics.

Members: Alan “Bam” King (guitar, vocals), Paul Carrack (keyboards, vocals), Terry “Tex” Comer (bass), Phil Harris (guitar, 1972-76), Steve Witherington (drums, 1972-73), Chico Greenwood (drums, 1973-74), Fran Byrne (drums, 1974-76), John Woodhead (guitar, 1976-77)

Background

Ace formed in Sheffield in December 1972 as Ace Flash and the Dynamos before shortening the name to Ace. The lineup joined Paul Carrack and Terry “Tex” Comer from Warm Dust with Alan “Bam” King from The Action and Mighty Baby, alongside guitarist Phil Harris and drummer Steve Witherington. The group built its early reputation on the pub-rock circuit with keyboard-led soul phrasing, tight rhythm playing, and an easy but controlled pulse. Fran Byrne replaced Witherington before the first album.

Five-A-Side

Ace released their debut album, Five-A-Side, in 1974 on Anchor.

The album features guitarist–singer Alan “Bam” King, lead guitarist Phil Harris, singer–keyboardist Paul Carrack (organ, piano, electric piano), bassist Terry “Tex” Comer, and drummer Fran Byrne. Carrack six cuts, with added credits from King, Comer, Harris, and Jes Walker. Carrack’s keyboards and Comer’s bass hold the center of the arrangements, while the two guitars cut short figures through a steady backbeat and a relaxed soul-rock pulse. The playing stays smooth in attack, but the rhythm section keeps enough weight underneath to stop the songs from drifting.

“Sniffin’ About” and “Time Ain’t Long” push a quicker pace with brisk bar-band drive. “The Real Feeling” and “How Long” settle into a softer keyboard-led harmony textures, with Carrack’s vocal lines set high in the mix and Harris adding spare lead phrases around them. “Why?” turns toward road fatigue and working-band routine, while “Know How It Feels” keeps the same easy motion with a firmer rhythmic tug.

A1. “Sniffin’ About” (4:44) — Carrack, King
A2. “Rock & Roll Runaway” (3:08) — Carrack, Comer, Harris, King
A3. “How Long” (3:21) — while ostensibly about romantic betrayal, Carrack wrote the lyrics upon learning that Comer had been moonlighting with pub-rock rivals Sutherland Brothers & Quiver.
A4. “The Real Feeling” (2:23)
A5. “24 Hours” (4:00)

B1. “Why?” (3:43) — laments road-life fatigue and the general public’s ignorance of the drudgery involved: “People think it’s easy, they ain’t never tried; to work on stage for a living, never seen the other side.” Carrack spurns these assumptions in the soaring chorus line: “I ain’t complaining, but it seems like a crying shame; The folks with the least to give are the ones with the most to gain.”
B2. “Time Ain’t Long” (3:53) — Carrack, Jes Walker
B3. “Know How It Feels” (3:27)
B4. “Satellite” (3:00)
B5. “So Sorry Baby” (3:54) — Harris

Ace recorded Five-A-Side at Rockfield Studios in Wales and Trident Studios in London, and mixed the album at Trident. John Anthony produced. Dennis Mackay, John Anthony, Mike Stone, Pat Anthony, and Pat Moran engineered the sessions, with Neil Kernon and Peter Fielder as tape operators. Chris Hughes, Bud Beadle, and Mick Eves added horns to “24 Hours” and “Satellite.”

Anchor issued “How Long” backed with “Sniffin’ About.” It reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 24 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, No. 3 in Canada, and No. 20 in the UK. “Rock & Roll Runaway” followed and reached No. 71 in the US. The album reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200.

Time for Another

Ace released their second album, Time for Another, in December 1975 on Anchor.

The album retains the same five-piece lineup with Paul Carrack, guitarists Alan “Bam” King and Phil Harris, and the “Tex” Comer/Fran Byrne rhythm section. Songwriting credits spread across the full band. The songs sit on shuffling drums, soft keyboard beds, light guitar twang, and close ensemble singing. Carrack’s keyboard parts keep the center steady while the guitars and rhythm section work in short, low-key patterns around him.

“I’m a Man” runs on a loose shuffle. “You Can’t Lose” keeps a measured rock pulse, and “Ain’t Gonna Stand for This No More” leans into a slow blues gait. “No Future in Your Eyes” and “Sail On My Brother” place Carrack’s voice over fuller chord movement and a warmer keyboard glow. “Does It Hurt You” widens the texture with Rusty Young’s steel guitar.

A1. “I Think It’s Gonna Last” (4:38) — Paul Carrack
A2. “I’m a Man” (3:55) — Alan King, Fran Byrne, Paul Carrack, Phil Harris, Terry Comer
A3. “Tongue Tied” (4:37) — Terry Comer
A4. “Does It Hurt You” (4:23) — Alan King
A5. “Message to You” (4:20) — Phil Harris

B1. “No Future in Your Eyes” (3:23) — Paul Carrack
B2. “This Is What You Find” (3:55) — Alan King
B3. “You Can’t Lose” (4:25) — Fran Byrne, Phil Harris, Terry Comer
B4. “Sail On My Brother” (4:31) — Paul Carrack
B5. “Ain’t Gonna Stand for This No More” (4:05) — Alan King, Fran Byrne, Paul Carrack, Phil Harris, Terry Comer

Ace recorded Time for Another at Rockfield Studios in Wales and Advision Studios in London. John Anthony produced, Ted Sharp engineered, and Neil Kernon served as tape operator. Rusty Young played steel guitar on “Does It Hurt You.”

Anchor issued “I Ain’t Gonna Stand for This No More” backed with “Rock & Roll Runaway” in the UK, where it reached No. 51. “No Future in Your Eyes” followed with “I’m a Man” on the B-side. The album reached No. 153 on the Billboard 200.

In June 1976, as Ace situated in the US, Harris cleared for guitarist John Woodhead.

No Strings

Ace released their third album, No Strings, in January 1977 on Anchor.

The album features their revised lineup with John Woodhead and veterans Paul Carrack, Alan “Bam” King, and the “Tex” Comer/Fran Byrne rhythm section. Carrack takes the lead role across much of the album, and the arrangements place his voice inside polished keyboard textures, broad chorus lines, and a brighter studio finish. Woodhead slots into the guitar chair with a clean, controlled attack that fits the album’s smooth surface.

“Rock and Roll Singer” opens with horn punches and a fuller band spread. “You’re All That I Need” rides a light soul-pop pulse with stacked harmonies around Carrack’s lead. “Movin’” and “Found Out the Hard Way” push harder through sharper rhythm movement and cleaner forward drive. “Let’s Hang On” and “C’Est La Vie” keep the set in a softer register, with Carrack’s voice carried by keyboards and close backing vocals.

A1. “Rock and Roll Singer” (4:59) — Paul Carrack, Terry Comer
A2. “You’re All That I Need” (3:43) — Paul Carrack
A3. “Crazy World” (3:28) — Alan King
A4. “I’m Not Takin’ It Out” (3:30) — Paul Carrack
A5. “Movin’” (4:28) — John Woodhead, Paul Carrack

B1. “Gleaming in the Gloom” (5:40) — Alan King, Phil Harris
B2. “Let’s Hang On” (3:14) — Paul Carrack
B3. “Why Did You Leave Me” (3:56) — Terry Comer
B4. “Found Out the Hard Way” (4:04) — John Woodhead, Paul Carrack
B5. “C’Est La Vie” (3:19) — Paul Carrack

Ace recorded No Strings at Shangri-La in Malibu and Cherokee Studios. Trevor Lawrence produced, Rick Ruggieri handled recording, Bill Schnee mixed, and Doug Sax mastered the album at The Mastering Lab. Lawrence also arranged the horns for “Rock and Roll Singer,” with Bobby Keys and Trevor Lawrence on tenor saxophone and Jim Price and Steve Madaio on trombone.

Anchor issued “You’re All That I Need” backed with “Crazy World,” then “Found Out the Hard Way” backed with “Why Did You Leave Me.” The album reached No. 170 on the Billboard 200.

Postlude

Ace split in July 1977 when Carrack, Comer, and Byrne joined the backing band of Scottish belter Frankie Miller.

In 1979, Carrack worked as an auxiliary for the reformed Roxy Music and released his first solo album, Nightbird, in 1980 on Vertigo. He replaced Jools Holland in Squeeze for their 1981 album East Side Story, singing lead on their international breakout hit “Tempted.” His 1982 album Suburban Voodoo spawned the MTV-rotated “I Need You.”

In 1985, Carrack surfaced as one of two singing Paul’s (along with Sad Cafe frontman Paul Young) in the Genesis spinoff Mike & The Mechanics, singing on their hits “Silent Running” and “The Living Years,” a 1988 chart-topper from their second album. Between those songs, he scored a solo hit with “Don’t Shed a Tear” from his 1987 album One Good Reason.

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