Most people know Ace for How Long. It’s a great song and deserves its place on classic rock radio. But every now and then, I like to dig a little deeper, because sometimes you will find hidden treasures. This one was one of those discoveries for me. The first time I heard it, I couldn’t believe this was the same band. It has a tougher edge, a great groove, and more hooks than a pirate’s convention.
Ace formed in Sheffield, England, in the early 1970s and quickly became part of Britain’s growing pub rock scene. The band featured the soulful voice and keyboards of Paul Carrack, along with guitarist Alan “Bam” King, bassist Terry Comer, and drummer Fran Byrne. Unlike many of the louder bands of the day, Ace relied on tight musicianship and tasteful playing. They fit perfectly into the pub rock movement, where good songs mattered more than flashy stage shows.
This song appeared on the band’s debut album, Five-a-Side, released in 1974. This was the B side to How Long. While How Long became a worldwide hit, this track shows another side of Ace. The rhythm section stays locked in, and Paul Carrack delivers an effortless vocal like he always does. Like so many pub rock recordings, it’s straight ahead. It simply lets the band do what they did best: play together. That’s probably why it still sounds so fresh today.
This reminds me not to stop with the hit singles. So many great bands have albums full of songs that never made the radio but are every bit as rewarding. Ace is one of those bands. It’s another reminder that some of the best discoveries are hiding just below the surface. The album peaked at #11 on the Billboard Album Charts and #16 in Canada in 1974.
Sniffin’ About
Takin’ it easy, takin’ our time, sniffin’ about
We got a notion, time gonna tell and it’ll work out
It goes
There ain’t no sly seducer fooling me
And nothing you can do, Sir, oh no
I learned me a lesson when I was a boy
Just sniffin’ about
You get a connection, selected perfection
It’ll work out
It goes
There ain’t no sly seducer fooling me
Ain’t nothing you can do, Sir, anyway
Sniffin’ about
Checking it out
Sniffin’ about
Checking it out
Well, I learned me a lesson when I was a boy
Sniffin’ about
You get a connection, selected perfection
It’ll work out
It goes
There ain’t no sly seducer fooling me
Ain’t nothing you can do, Sir, anyway
Sniffin’ about
Checking it out
Sniffin’ about
Checking it out
Alright
Alright
(Sniffin’ about)
Alright, I
(Sniffin’ about)
Alright, I was sniffin’
Just sniffin’, sniffin’ about
Just sniffin’ about
I was just sniffin’, sniffin’ about
Checking it out
Sniffin’ about
Oh, I was sniffin’ about
I was checking, checking it out
Yeah, I was was sniffin’ about
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Awesome! 😎
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‘more hooks than a pirate’s convention’? LOL. Maybe just a bit of an exag-arrrr-ation! Ok song though, I’d never heard anything else by them besides ‘How Long’
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Nice. I had the “How Long” single, but I don’t remember this, and I would always play the B-side of my 45s. Thanks for pointing it out.
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I liked this song, Max and they sounded like a mix of Poco and Marshal Tucker to me. I read that Ace struggled to follow up on their hit single ‘How Long’ and experienced several lineup changes, before fizzling out and going their separate ways.
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More hooks than a pirate’s convention? Great line, Max! 😆And a cool Ace song I hadn’t known, since I’m afraid I fell into the-only-know “How Long” department, a song I’ve always loved. Well, I’m glad I’ve now heard a great second track. Frankly, after just one listen, I think it’s on par with “How Long.” The harmony singing is just as sweet. Plus, I dig that honky tonk vibe! 😎
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I remember ‘how long’ ago when that ‘ace’ of a single was released
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