- Fran Byrne - drums, percussion (replaced 

  Steve Witherington) (1973-77)
- Paul Carrack - vocals, keyboards (1972-77)
- Tex Comer - bass, backing vocals (1972-77)
- Philip Harris - guitar, backing vocals (replaced 

  Jon Woodhead) (1973-77)
- Alan "Bam" King - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1972-77)
- Steve Witherington - drums,  percussion (1972-73)
- Jon Woodhead - vocals, guitar (1972-73)

- Paul Carrack (solo albums)
- Juice On the Loose (Fran Byrne and Alan King)
- Mike + the Mechanics  (Paul Carrack)
- Noise To Go (Paul Carrack)
- Roxy Music (Paul Carrack)
- Squeeze (Paul Carrack)
- Sutherland Brothers and Quiver  (Jon Woodhead)

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Five a Side

Company: Anchor

Catalog: ANCL 2001

Country/State: UK

Year: 1974

Grade  (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $6.00

Formed from the remnants 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:
(side 1)

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)

(side 2)

1.) Why? (Paul Carrack)
2.) Time Ain't Long (Paul Carrack - Jes Walker)
3.) Know How It Feels (Paul Carrack)
4.) Satellite (Paul Carrack)
5.) So Sorry Baby (Philip Harris)

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Time for Another

Company: Anchor

Catalog: ANCL 2013

Year: 1975

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $6.00

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 major 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:
(side 1)

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)

(side 2)

1.) No Future In Your Eyes (Paul Carrack)
2.) This Is What You Find (A.B. King)
3.) You Can't Lose (A.B. King - Tex Comer - Fran Byrne)
4.) Sail On My Brother (Paul Carrack)
5.) Ain't Gonna Stand for This No More (Paul Carrack - A.B. King - Phil Harris - Tex Comer - Fran Byrne)

Genre: rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  No Strings

Company: Anchor

Catalog: ANCL 2020

Year: 1977

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $6.00

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:
(side 1)

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)

(side 2)

1.) Gleaming In th Gloom (A.B. King - Phil Harris)
2.) Let's Hang On (Paul Carrack)
3.) Why Did You Leave Me (Tex Comer)
4.) Found Out the Hard Way (Paul Carrack - Jon Woodhead)
5.) C'est la Vie (Paul Carrack)