Rating:
*** (3 stars)
Title: Five
a Side
Company: Anchor
Catalog: ANCL
2001
Year: 1974
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
Price: $6.00
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Formed from the remaints of pub rockers Clat
Thyger and Flash & the Dynamos; showcasing the talents of vocalist Paul
Carrack, bassist Tex Comer, rhythm guitarist Alan "Bam" King,
drummer Steve Witherington and guitarist Jon Woodhead, Ace emerged as one of
the few mid-'70s pub rockers to meet with large scale commercial success.
Having spent all of 1973 playing one night stands on the British club
circuit, the group was about to disband in favor of pursuing normal day
jobs. At the last moment they were seen by Charisma Records' John Anthony
who asked them to go on tour as an opening act for art-rockers Hawkwind
(definitely an oddball pairing). Impressed by the band's chops, Anthony
arranged for the group to record some demos.
On the strength of their demo tapes Ace was signed to a recording contract
by the small Anchor label. Unfortunately, just as they were about to enter
the studio to record their first album, guitarist Jon Woodhead left to join
the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver (see separate entry). Replacing Woodhead
with Philip Harris, the band released 1974's "Five
a Side." A modest but enjoyable collection of pop-rock,
the collection showcased Paul Carrack's blue-eyed soul vocals. Supported by
the hit ballad "How Long" the album proved to be an unexpected
chart success, reaching #11.
"Five a Side" track listing:
1.) Sniffin' About (Paul Carrack - A.B. King)
2.) Rock & Roll Runaway (A.B. King - Phil Harris - Paul Carrack - Tex
Comer)
3.) How Long (Paul Carrack)
4.) The Real Feeling (Paul Carrack)
5.) 24 Hours (Paul Carrack)
6.) Why? (Paul Carrack)
7.) Time Ain't Long (Paul Carrack - Jes Walker)
8.) Know How It Feels (Paul Carrack)
9.) Satellite (Paul Carrack)
10.) So Sorry Baby (Philip Harris)
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Rating:
*** (3 stars)
Title: Time
for Another
Company: Anchor
Catalog: ANCL
2013
Year: 1975
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
Price: $6.00
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Produced by John Anthony, 1975's "Time
for Another" found the quintet content to refine their
established pub-rock formula. Among the few notable changes; several tracks
including "This Is What You Find" and "Does It Hurt You"
reflected a notable country twang (Poco's Rusty Young contributing pedal
steel guitar). With all five members contributing material, the set was more
democratic, but lacked much of the debut's charm. Professional, if slightly
subdued, nothing on the set came close to matching the earlier "How
Long." As on the debut, Carrack's rough hewn, blue-eyed soul voice
proved the band's mahjor weapon and standout feature, powering tracks as
"I Think It's Gonna Last" and "No Future In Your Eyes."
Elsewhere, given turns at the spotlight, on songs such as "You Can't
Lose," "I'm a Man" and "Sail On Brother" Comer,
Harris and King proved competent, if largely anonymous vocalists. On the
heels of the debut's massive success, their sophomore effort proved a
substantial commercial disappointment, peaking at #153.
"Time for Another" track listing:
1.) I Think It's Gonna Last (Paul Carrack)
2.) I'm a Man (Paul Carrack - A.B. King - Phil Harris - Tex Comer - Fran
Byrne)
3.) Tongue Tied (Tex Comer)
4.) Does It Hurt You (A.B. King)
5.) Message To You (Phil Harris)
6.) No Future In Your Eyes (Paul Carrack)
7.) This Is What You Find (A.B. King)
8.) You Can't Lose (A.B. King - Tex Comer - Fran Byrne)
9.) Sail On My Brother (Paul Carrack)
10.) Ain't Gonna Stand for This No More (Paul Carrack - A.B. King - Phil
Harris - Tex Comer - Fran Byrne)
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Rating:
** (2
stars)
Title: No
Strings
Company: Anchor
Catalog: ANCL
2020
Year: 1977
Grade
(cover/record):
Comments: VG/VG
Available: 1
Price: $5.00
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Produced by Trevor Lawrence, 1977's "No
Strings" was another pleasant, if largely anonymous
effort. With all five members contributing material, Carrack's blue-eyed
soul vocals again provided the isolated highlights. Unfortunately, with the
possible exception of the "How Long" sound alike "You're All
That I Need" (featuring the year's lamest lyrics) and Found Out the
Hard Way, little on the set warranted attention. Tedious AOR, tracks such as
"Gleaming In the Gloom," "Movin'" and "Why Did You
Leave Me" exhibited the same appeal as your normal McDonald's
commercial. Continuing their commercial decline, the set only reached #170.
By the end of the year the group called it quits with Carrack joining
Squeeze before releasing a series of relatively successful solo albums (see
separate entries).
"No Strings" track listing:
1.) Rock and Roll Singer (Paul Carrack - Tex Comer)
2.) You're All that I Needed (Paul Carrack)
3.) Crazy World (A.B. King)
4.) I'm Not Taking It Out On You (Paul Carrack)
5.) Movin' (Paul Carrack - Jon Woodhead)
6.) Gleaming In th Gloom (A.B. King - Phil Harris)
7.) Let's Hang On (Paul Carrack)
8.) Why Did You Leave Me (Tex Comer)
9.) Found Out the Hard Way (Paul Carrack - Jon Woodhead)
10.) C'est la Vie (Paul Carrack)
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