How Long (has this been goin' on) ended up not long!
Junglies | Morrisville, NC United States | 03/05/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"British pop in the 1970s saw the end of the psychedelic pop and rock, the transformation of progressive rock into ELP and their ilk, ultimately to Punk but throughout it all there was pub rock and strangely enough, brilliant one hit wonders.Two of my most enduring pop/rock memories of the 1970s are How Long by Ace and Pick Up the Pieces by the Average White Band. Both were constant plays on the radio, both were by musically competent hard working bands, and ultimately both songs are all that people remember those bands for.Ace were born from the remnants of British psychedelic band Mighty Baby and fell into that collection of bands who played their hearts out in small and medium sized venues across Britain. Dr. Feelgood, Brinsley Schwartz, Kilburn and the High Roads to name a few.This album is a collection of Ace songs. They are relatively short with great vocals and good playing and the songs themselves stand up pretty well. Unfortunately the band were never able to reproduce their success with any of the other songs and consequently the songs have never stuck. For those of us who saw the band, they were one of the better bands of the genre and their albums sold moderately well. I have the album in my collection along wiith others by similar bands but for the average listener there is not enough in this collection to maintain their interest. Alas, the album is sold on the back of their hit which might help sales but will ultimately disappoint buyers.Perhaps the best memorial to Ace would be a Pub Rock compilation with some of their best songs on it."
As soulful as Wayne Newton
dev1 | Baltimore | 04/10/2000
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Ace came on the U S music scene about 1975 with a knock-out blue-eyed soul hit tilted `How Long.' The single had sweet harmony vocals, a bluesy lead guitar and an unforgettable underlining bass hook. The infectious formula was repeated again with success on `Why.' Also, `Sniffin' About' is a hard driving number that's certain to get you on your feet and shaking your booty (on whatever it's called this year). Unfortunately, the three mentioned numbers are this only ones worth notice. Ace is a group of talented musicians, but they lack the ability to create music with urgency. The remaining cuts on this CD are about as soulful as Wayne Newton."
Hey, Guys -- Lighten Up!
sugarday | 01/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ace is an awesome band from the '70s. Maybe they aren't the Rolling Stones but so what? The tracks are original and inventive and bring back a flood of memories from a happily misspent youth."
An answer to Steely Dan from England
D. R Hayes | Clermont, FL. United States | 06/10/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is how I interpret Ace. Mind you Ace was formed just about the same time as Steely Dan was, and while Steely Dan had numerous hits Ace is only known for 1 major hit, and that was from 1975. "How Long?" will be the song that they're going to be known for, and why not? it's one of the best romantic love songs in my book(please don't someone tell me that this is actually a breakup song. My nerves wouldn't stand it.). It's got a groovy soul feel to it, it's got a fabulous musical arrangement, good vocals, but the instrumental break/ guitar solo is what makes it so romantic. I know with me if I was out with a lovely girl, and when we got to that part of the song I would see her in a completely different light. The normal things of our relationship would go out the window, and now it's too late as I long for her in a more deeper, and intimate way. She's looking so different, and yet more and more beautiful, and every pulse within me wants it to be too late I don't care what happens next it'll make me more of a man as I look at her, and say with my eyes "You're pleasing me....YOU'RE PLEASING ME .....YOU'RE PLEASING ME......AAAHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!" Imagine that all coming from a 20 second break. Anyway, back down to Earth Dan. The rest is alot of progressive style music, but there were a few songs here that would've made good follow ups though like "You're All I Need", and "No Future In Your Eyes". It's a shame they didn't make it bigger than one song in America, but Paul Carrack would go on to form Squeeze, and make it big here with them. This is still pretty good music though."