WOMAD Farewell

[Paul Goodwin]

Remembering that the highlight of my visit to WOMAD four years ago, when Mariza entranced us all, was being at Charlie's broadcast, I would not have been anywhere else but there again last Saturday night. Witnessing the combination of live performances and personal passion that Charlie has always brought to all his programmes is indeed special in the realm of radio. And of course many of us will sorely miss such precious quality.

All those ping pong encounters have produced some of the most magical of musical moments that can hardly be better illustrated than hearing the exciting interchange between Charlie and Damon Albarn. Truly sublime!

Thank you Charlie for all the wonderful programmes and discoveries over the years that would otherwise never have been made. Your friendly knowledgable and relaxed style is just so perfect for the most intimate of mediums that is radio, that some like me may feel the loss of your going akin to that of a friend. Of course I'm sure many of us will continue to switch to World Service on Digital now, although live radio is never quite the same as pre-recorded. And thanks be, that in a profession where all too often people's health has suffered serious consequences, you are taking good care of yourself. Here's to a healthy recovery Charlie! And thanks again.

[Frank Griffin]

It was indeed worth being at the Radio 3 stage for Charlie's show on Saturday night, especially when he came back from the 9 o'clock news singing along to his old childhood favourite 'Rip it Up'...a true rocker at heart!

Hope the ping pong format can continue...Charlie should be creditted with this in the same way that Roy Plumley is for Desert Islands Discs. The programme has served as an invaluable source of whats on in the Capital and BBC London should justify its continuation for that at least.

Thanks again Charlie, and to Nikki, Philip, Zee, Alan and all the other helpers over the last 11 years.

Frank

l

[howard male]

Nice to see that Garth gave Charlie a mention in his Womad review in today's Independent.

[alan clark]

Thank you for another womad highlight. Every year the best part of the festival, always intimate, knaan was great Titti sublime. Last year you met my family and commented on my four daughters the eldest is now in a band and doing well and not without your influence, she would never have heard the be good tanyas,souad massi or mariza without hearing the old tapes of your show in the car. Thank you for sharing your treasures with us.
Alan