3 American women (1977) ?

**Marcodj** · January 8th, 2006, 04:40 PM

This is a song from 1977.... but I didn't understand what is it...

3 black women from USA... for the first time in Italy in 1977...

Maybe "Don't think away" ?

http://s5.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1L...S3MFMBPM9QLVNO

Thanks again for your precious help !

**NickNack** · January 8th, 2006, 07:08 PM

DON'T TAKE AWAY OUR LOVE
DON'T TAKE AWAY OUR LOVE
I CAN'T TAKE IT
I CAN'T MAKE IT WITHOUT YOU

NEEDING YOU MORE EVERYDAY
LOVE WON'T FADE AWAY
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT
THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
I WANNA SHOUT IT

**Marcodj** · January 8th, 2006, 10:25 PM

Mmmmmh.....nice words....but the female group ?

Thanks. :o

**Marcodj** · January 8th, 2006, 10:34 PM

Wow, thanks NickNack...hurrah!

HODGES, JAMES AND SMITH
Don't Take Away Your Love

Bingo ?

**Marcodj** · January 8th, 2006, 10:44 PM

They began as Hodges, James, Smith & Crawford in 1971. They were actually the brainchild of Motown A&R director William "Mickey" Stevenson. The Crawford was Carolyn Crawford who had worked with "Mickey" when she recorded a couple of singles for Motown in the 1960's. After H.J.S. she went on to record and work with Hamilton Bohannon from 1974-1979.
All the girls were Detroit natives and were personally picked by Stevenson for his girl-group vision. They all came from different points to arrive at Stevensons door. Pat Hodges played the clarinet in a local Detroit band then attended college where she earned a B.A. degree in music. Denita James studied ballet and tap dancing while growing up in a quiet and normal household, singing was something to do in addition to her dancing. And Jessica Smith had practiced her chops in the local church like many of the great singers of our time, never dreaming of a career in secular music.
All the girls answered an ad that Mickey placed in the local Detroit papers "looking for talented young ladies, dancers, singers, musicians to form an all girl group."
Stevenson had a great vision for the young ladies. He personally managed and guided them on each and every step of their careers. He groomed them much in the same way they Berry Gordy groomed his stable of artists for stardom. He created a top-notch nightclub act built around them and their individual talents. Soon they were being booked into the country's top supper clubs and showbars, Detroit's "Flame", Chicago's "Mister Kelly's" and New York's "Bottom Line." Soon the they were rivaling the Supremes and had taken their act international. A Press Show in Germany, the Cafe Royal in London, the London Palladium with Jack Jones, Vegas, Reno, & Tahoe gigs, and television appearances in all the major European countries.
In 1973 they signed a recording contract with 20th Century Fox Records. Their first album, "Incredible" ...was not! The only thing incredible about it was the speed it reached cut-out bins at discount record stores. A good album, it just didn't get a decent push. Another 20th Century album disappeared so fast that most people can't recall its title. The lack of recording success didn't doused their enthusiasm or dim their flame, they continued traveling, doing all the plum gigs.
Once again in 1976 they decided to try recording and signed with London Records. "What's On Your Mind" received quite a bit of promotion and acclaim that unfortunately didn't transform into sales. The 12" single of "Since I Fell For You/I'm Falling In Love" and "Don't Take Away Your Love" probably sold as much or more copies than the album.
A second release in 1978, "What Have You Done For Love" proved they could sing, and they displayed their talent best on "Darling I Promise," "You Know Who You Are," and a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's "You Can't Hide Love." The trio offers a good remake of Stevie Wonder's "Seems So Long," but the highbrow, campy treatment given to some of these selections will turn off diehard R&B and disco fans.
One last 12" single, a cover of "Dancing In The Streets" failed to ignite any fires on the club scene, even after being remixed. It was labeled to be from their forthcoming album of the same name. To my recollection the album never materialized. The ladies turned to session work as background vocalists in the late 1970's most notably for Bobby Womack and Sylvester. The trio disbanded officially in 1979. Denita James went straight into the studio and recorded vocals for the 1979 soundtrack of "Love At First Bite" before disappearing from site. Pat Hodges went straight into retirement, but has recently resurfaced as background vocalist in 1999 on works by Pandora, Holly Robinson and Kenny Wayne Shepard. Jessica Smith, the most prolific of the three, had started session work in 1970 for Kim Weston. All through the H.J.S. era she continued her session work. She can be heard on recordings by such diverse artists as America, Elton John, Arlo Guthrie, Crabby Appleton, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Al Kooper, Maria Muldaur and literally hundreds of others.
Sadly the trio disbanded never achieving the success they or Stevenson tried so hard to obtain. Thankfully we have their meager recording output to enjoy and treasure, and if for nothing else we can savor the memory of dancing to "Since I Fell For You....."

http://soulcellar.co.uk/hodges/Hodges.html