The Three Degrees: Album Of Love + Take 3 (1982)

It is surprising that after 3 major UK Top 10-hits in 1979, a Top 10 album with their Gold compilation, and loads of publicity regarding their relation to Prince Charles, The Three Degrees found themselves without a label by the start of the new decade. Still a popular live act, they recorded an album of love songs towards the end of 1981, including A Sonnet Of Love, penned by Sheila, a medley of their hits, and a re-recording of MacArthur Park which they had initially recorded in 1971. The album was sold and signed at their concert venues at the time. I have expanded the album with their popular BBC special Take 3 from 1982 which was recently broadcast again. The single Liar followed in December '83 but being self-released and a lot of copies being destroyed in a fire at their pressing plant, it only made it to #97 in the UK charts. They recorded another album, Live In The UK, sold at the venues of their 1985 tour, before finally teaming up with Stock Aitken Waterman for The Heaven I Need which narrowly missed the UK Top 40. After a second single, This Is The House, Sheila left the group in 1986.
ALBUM OF LOVE
00:00 A Sonnet Of Love
04:00 I Only Have Eyes For You
08:03 MacArthur Park
15:37 Fame Medley
21:48 Only Those In Love
25:35 Dear God
30:13 Hard To Say I'm Sorry
TAKE 3
34:04 I Can't Turn You Loose
37:04 Introduction
37:25 Fame Medley
38:18 Dirty Old Man
38:57 My Simple Heart
40:06 Year Of Decision
40:51 Take Good Care Of Yourself
42:00 天使のささやき(Japanese Version of When Will I See You Again)
42:46 Fame Reprise
43:33 Sheila: Send In The Clowns
47:07 Helen: Here I Am
50:15 Valerie: Endless Love
54:01 Giving Up, Giving In
55:54 The Runner
57:39 MacArthur Park
1:05:45 Woman In Love
1:11:14 Celebrate!
1:14:35 When Will I See You Again

[@srenjensen5735]

ALBUM OF LOVE 00:00 A Sonnet Of Love 04:00 I Only Have Eyes For You 08:03 MacArthur Park 15:37 Fame Medley 21:48 Only Those In Love 25:35 Dear God 30:13 Hard To Say I'm Sorry TAKE 3 (BBC TV-Special) 34:04 I Can't Turn You Loose 37:04 Introduction 37:25 Fame Medley 38:18 Dirty Old Man 38:57 My Simple Heart 40:06 Year Of Decision 40:51 Take Good Care Of Yourself 42:00 天使のささやき(Japanese Version of When Will I See You Again) 42:46 Fame Reprise 43:33 Sheila: Send In The Clowns 47:07 Helen: Here I Am 50:15 Valerie: Endless Love 54:01 Giving Up, Giving In 55:54 The Runner 57:39 MacArthur Park 1:05:45 Woman In Love 1:11:14 Celebrate! 1:14:35 When Will I See You Again

[@delilahpasseel406]

This facet of the Three “ Jewels” is another expression of the depth of their contribution to the art of music

[@realnikonlover6207]

Legendary sexiness across the board. They hit all the warm spots and bring new meaning to stellar sexiness. Still. Even in their senior years they have the moves. Damn.

[@dwayitis]

Best girl group ever. ❤❤

[@robertodresia]

Magic Songs love it 🥰

[@philipparet8982]

La musique comme je l'aime. Merci mesdames.💗❤

[@stephentresca3536]

Absolutely love them.

[@stephenchandler6738]

Excellent I'll enjoy this post too

[@信介藤谷]

彼らはすごい！世界中に愛されえいる❤🎉

[@lasthero3995]

Mmmhh delicious ❤ I love the sound and voices of this group 👍🤘thx 4 sharing!

[@lasthero3995]

Marvelous🤘😁🤗❤❤

[@lasthero3995]

Donna Gaines Summer sung it in the late 70s and I loved it too🤗👍❤

[@充H]

コンサート会場だけで販売された日本では幻のアルバム！ＣＤ 化してほしい。 有り難う

[@knockshinnoch1950]

The Three Degrees Neve get the recognition they deserve when the history of girl groups is discussed. They were only the 2nd girl group to achieve a no1 single on the UK charts after the Supremes Baby Love in late 1964. Almost a full decade later in August 1974 When Will I See You Again hit the top spot. It would be over a decade before the 3rd girl group achieved a UK No1 single- Sister Sledge with Frankie in 1985. I had no idea this album existed. Although the quality is of course great the arrangements and overall styling are very dated for the early 80s. I really thought the Heaven I Need was going to be a massive hit for them, sadly that never happened and the girls were no longer hit makers, being relegated to the cabaret circuit and the very rare TV booking. The growing oldies circuit gave them a new lease of life in later years. Sheila failed in her bid for chart success as a solo act but her acting skills saw success on a number TV shows in the UK. Thanks for sharing these rare recordings!

[@srenjensen5735]

Thank you for leaving a comment. Very interesting observation with the Supremes, Three Degrees & Sister Sledge, almost 10 years in between each of them.

[@robertodresia]

Well the girls are still touring the worlds… the best is the business know and still know who the were and still are today🙌

[@darrinhauxwell5315]

It's pitched up, but otherwise nice. Haven't heard it in a while. Liar got to number 97, but because of a fire at the pressing plant, only limited copies reached the stores and sold.

[@srenjensen5735]

Yes, you're right about Liar. I'll amend my blurp.