I Like Music WOMAD 2009 Review

2009 marked the 27th year of WOMAD Festival, held in its Charlton Park, Malmesbury site for the third year running. The World of Music Arts and Dance organisation was founded in 1980 by Peter Gabriel, Thomas Brooman, and Bob Hooton, with an aim to introduce global sounds to a western audience. After witnessing a performance by an African group, Peter Gabriel considered the impact the music he was hearing would have upon many if only they were given the opportunity to experience it. This year an audience of 30,000 had the chance to do just that, with a festival bill that boasted over 60 different acts from Australia to Zimbabwe.

Cuban guitarist Eliades Ochoa, aka the 'Cuban Johnny Cash', expertly led his troupe through a set which combined elements of bolero, tango, guaracha, son and son montuno, to a back drop of well deserved English sunshine on Friday afternoon. French sextet Caravan Palace followed with their re-invention of the traditional gypsy jazz swing hailing from the likes of Django Reinhardt, combining double bass, decks and basslines with an atmosphere that swung delightfully between toe tapping back room jazz and underground dancefloor madness.
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