RFI - Lori and the Chameleons

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I was digging around my vinyl collection the other day playing some old twelve inches and came across "Touch" by Lori and the Chameleons, with "The lonely spy" and "Love on the Ganges" on the b-side. All great songs, and very early 80s Liverpool. Of course, the Chameleons were Dave Balfe and Bill Drummond - and one presumes the spoken voice on "Love on the Ganges" is Balfe - but does anyone know definitively who the other musicians are on these songs? Are there any Bunnymen or Teardrops playing in the background? Certainly the trumpet sounds on "The lonely spy" are very Teardrop.

Any thoughts on these sweet little songs, or idea of who the players were?

― Rob M (Rob M), Friday, 16 January 2004 08:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Lori Lartey is a name that goes ping here...

― mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 16 January 2004 10:21 (twenty-two years ago)

The only google hit on Lori Lartey is this one: http://www.link2wales.co.uk/lpool/L.htm It says:

"Lori And The Chameleons - project (1978-80) feat; art student Lori Lartey (voc) (married to Martin Healy of Dead or Alive), David Balfe (keys) (ex Dalek I Love You, Big in Japan, later of Teardrop Explodes, Food Recs, Bill Drummond (gtr,voc) (ex Big in Japan, later KLF), Gary Dwyer (of Teardrop Explodes), Ray Martinez, Tim Whittaker (drms) (ex Deaf School). Rel 7" on Zoo Recs Touch which was reissued twice again on other labels up to 1981 & Lonely Spy on Korova (1980)."

There was a little picture of Ms Lartey in Bitz in Smash Hits, wearing a dress made of fabric she designed. It made quite an impression on the small me, that picture.

Also the only person I've ever met who claims that a L&TC LP exists is Mark S.

L&TC are surprisingly popular around here given their tiny output and their obscurity.

― Tim (Tim), Friday, 16 January 2004 10:25 (twenty-two years ago)

A L&TC LP? I'd like to see the proof, to be honest.

― Rob M (Rob M), Friday, 16 January 2004 10:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't believe it either.

― Tim (Tim), Friday, 16 January 2004 10:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Lori & The Chameleons Touch/Love on the Ganges ZOO Cage 006 (1979)
LORI AND THE CHAMELEONS, TOUCH/LOVE ON THE GANGES, SIRE SIR 4025

Lori & The Chameleons The lonely spy/Peru KOW 5 80

Lori & The Chameleons Touch/Love on the Ganges KOW 20 81
Lori & The Chameleons Touch/The lonely spy/Love on the Ganges KOW 20T 81

― mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 16 January 2004 10:33 (twenty-two years ago)

My god, you can get Big In Japan ringtones for yr mobile. The world has gone mad.

― Rob M (Rob M), Friday, 16 January 2004 10:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Esp. when your phone rings in the street and someone next to you goes "Oh, Suicide a go go!"

― mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 16 January 2004 10:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, I remember that Smash Hits pic. She looked like the gap between Fay Fife and Toto Coelo.
I don't believe in the L&TC LP either.

― harveyw (harveyw), Friday, 16 January 2004 12:37 (twenty-two years ago)

I recall the fabric had the words "two hump camel" on it with an arrow pointing towards a picture of a camel.

― Tim (Tim), Friday, 16 January 2004 13:02 (twenty-two years ago)

I just see lime green & white triangles. It clearly had a greater effect on you than it did me.

― harveyw (harveyw), Friday, 16 January 2004 15:05 (twenty-two years ago)

i saw it too!

L&C album? Nah.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 16 January 2004 16:11 (twenty-two years ago)

It's probably a mention on the sleevenotes of "To the shores of Lake Placid" Zoo Compilation...

― mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 16 January 2004 16:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Gary Dwyer was probably the drummer, not Tim Whittaker. And Ray Martinez would have been the trumpet. There's no mention of a Lori and the Chameleons album on the liner notes of "To the Shores of Lake Placid."

"The Lonely Spy" is amazing. I guess I need to track down an mp3 of "Peru."

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Friday, 16 January 2004 18:15 (twenty-two years ago)

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