Chanter Sisters

The Chanter Sisters, Irene and Doreen Chanter, are a duo of backup singers. They began recording with a family group called the Chanters which also included several of their brothers.

The sisters then went their own way, recording first under the name Birds of a Feather, and then as The Chanter Sisters, and it is under the latter that they enjoyed their only UK Singles Chart hit when "Sideshow" (not to be confused with the much bigger hit for Barry Biggs with the same title later the same year) entered the chart in July 1976 reaching number 43.^[1]

The sisters have been far more successful in their backup singing career. Their credits include work with Elton John, Long John Baldry, Phil Manzanera, Roxy Music, John Miles, The Secret Policeman's Ball, Van Morrison, Roger Waters, Meat Loaf, Joe Cocker and many other famous names. The pair also had uncredited bit parts as schoolgirls in the 1971 schlock horror film, Twins of Evil.

Although the sisters have predominantly worked together, Doreen has had the more extensive musical career, touring without her sister with several of the above named bands. However, the pair continue to work together in the recording studio, providing backup vocals for Chris Farlowe as recently as 2003.

Doreen also found success as a song-writer, being responsible for "Star", a UK hit in 1982 for Kiki Dee.

References

1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 100. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 

Recordings

LP First flight

Cuckoo-cuckoo/Darlin’/Side show/Hound dog/Band of gold/(You’re love has lifted me) Higher and higher/Halfway to paradise/Turn Rolling Stone/ Blue Jean days/All the young dudes/Loving you is (UK – 1976) Polydor PD 1 6075

7” Sideshow

Sideshow/Goodbye Charlie (UK – 1975) Polydor 2058 735 (company sleeve) Sideshow/Turn rolling stone (ITA – 1976) Polydor 2058 740 (picture sleeve)

7” Band of Gold

Band of Gold/Blue Jean days (UK – 1976) Polydor 2058 699 (company sleeve)

7” Cuckoo Cuckoo

Cuckoo Cuckoo/Sweet Water Memory (GER – 1976) Polydor 2058 608 (art sleeve)

7” Blue Jean Days

Blue Jean Days/Cuckoo Cuckoo (USA or UK-1976) Polydor

7” Halfway to Paradise

Halfway to paradise/My love (UK – 1976) Polydor 2058 679 (art sleeve)

7” Just your fool

Just your fool/History (UK - 1976) Polydor 2058 795 (AUS -1976) Safari 612073 (picture sleeve)

7” Just your fool

Just your fool/Talking too much about my baby (GER - 1977) Safari 612073 (company sleeve)

7” Just your fool

Just your fool/Nashville (ITA - 1976) Polydor 2058 816 (picture sleeve)

LP Ready for love

You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’/Never thought falling in love (could be so wild)/Dance dance dance/ Talking too much about my baby/When the lights go out/Na na hey hey (Kiss him goodbye)/ It’s too late now/Sunshiny Day/Nashville (UK – 1977) Safari LONG 3

7” Dance Dance Dance

Dance dance dance (UK - 1977) Safari PS719036 (GER – 1977) Safari 6.12169 AC (picture sleeve)

12” Na Na Hey Hey

Na na Hey hey/Danny Disco/When the lights go out (UK – 1977) Safari DOZ1

7” Na Na Hey Hey

Nan na Hey hey/It’s too late now (AUS – 1977) Safari K8959 (company sleeve)

LP Shoulder to shoulder

Shoulder to shoulder/Oh what a shame/I wanna get closer/I love you/Born to lose/Can’t stop dancing/Cari blue/I’ll be there/I’ve got your number/Thanks to you (UK – 1978) Safari LONG 4

7” Can’t stop dancing

Can’t stop dancing (GER – 1979)

12” Can’t stop dancing (Blue vinyl)

Can’t stop dancing/Back on the Road (GER – 1979) Safari 052 CRY 61816 YZ

External links

• Roxy Music Virtual Museum
• Field's Fab Forty for Sunday 12 March 1967
• Aesop's Fables, Sydney 1968-70
• Doreen Chanter info
• Recording Session for Chris Farlowe