Download Instrumental   My job here is to create professional-sounding (stageworthy) backing tracks for singers who either don’t want the hassle of a band or can’t afford to pay other musicians…. or just don’t want to pay (vocalists are a greedy bunch).  They take my arrangement, mute the lead vocal track (I usually use flute), rehearse (hopefully) and head for the stage with a new song.  I tend to produce songs I already know cause I’m basically lazy.  And I like to resurrect pieces that have sort of fallen through the cracks into oblivion.  This is one of those tunes.  A friend and valued customer, Lori, suggested this 70’s classic – good call, Lori!

The British group “Ace” recorded “How Long” in 1974.  It was written by Paul Carrack, the group’s keyboard player and lead singer.  I have to say it’s not what you’d call a musical masterpiece.  The verses  are carried by only one chord – that’s right, no chord changes – that’s unheard of!  Can’t think of another song that gets away with that.  Maybe Carrack’s a genius, after all. His chorus does manage to incorporate three chords, but one of them is the same chord used in the verse – so that one doesn’t count.  The guitar solo is relatively uninspired.  And the lyrics repeat themselves.  But somehow, the music comes together to form a great sound and was a huge hit.  I think the Fender Rhodes piano is what makes it work – but then I’m kinda partial to the ol’ “Rhodes”.

The lyrics would make you think it’s all about adultery, as in “How long, has this been going on” and “Cause I ain’t quite as dumb as I seem” (grammar notwithstanding).  But, actually, it was discovered that the bass player had been playing in another band on the sly (the scoundrel!), so Carrack wrote this song about his treachery. Secretly playing with other musicians?  That’s WORSE than adultery!  Shame on bass players everywhere!!