"How Long" by 1970s British rock group Ace was the band's highest charting hit, reaching #3 in the U.S. It had a slow, smoky groove like another Brit band hit, the Climax Blues Band's "Couldn't Get It Right." It's been kept alive not only by frequent airplay, but by a plethora of covers. From soul songster Bobby Womack to country chanteusse Barbara Mandrell to rock royalty Rod Stewart. The song lends itself to a voice that's rough like sandpaper, yet smooth as satin. All of the notable covers do it justice, but Ace's version remains ace.
Many think this song is about adultery, but it's actually about lead singer Paul Carrack discovering that his bassist was covertly working with Sutherland Brothers and Quiver. Carrack, the "Man with the Golden Voice," after leaving Ace performed with Roxy Music, Squeeze and Mike + the Mechanics. While he had a great deal of success with these groups, "How Long" with Ace truly defined his caramel, Buffalo Springfield-ish voice and solidified that he'd be entrenched in rock history.
You can learn more about Ace here:
About the Curator - Sonya Alexander
After graduating from UCLA, Sonya trained to be a talent agent. After realizing she belonged on the creative end, she started freelance writing, covering film festivals for Los Angeles local papers. She's written about film, video games, global affairs, wildlife conservation and, most recently, music. She specializes in classic rock, classic soul, blues, classic country, classical and world music and is tri-coastal, residing in Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans.
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