I’m Not in Love – The Story of 10cc
Director and producer
First broadcast on BBC4
‘With a string of brilliantly unpredictable hits, 10cc were an almost constant presence in the charts for much of the 70s. Yet it’s easy to forget the people who were behind the music. This absolutely riveting documentary is a fine corrective to that.’ - The Mail on Sunday
‘Excellent… an especially good doc.’ - The Guardian‘
‘This affectionate history reunites the band members to provide an interesting, often humorous account of one of the most gifted, original groups to emerge in the 70s. A superb film.’ - The Observer
‘A pleasure to watch.’ - The Daily Mail
The influence of the four members of 10cc is incalculable. Not only did they create some of the most dazzlingly original and inventive songs of the Seventies, as individuals they were also responsible for some of the defining songs of the Sixties and for initiating the video boom of the Eighties. In ‘I’m Not in Love’, Charlie tracks down Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, Lol Creme and Kevin Godley and discusses their remarkable careers. He also speaks to friends and colleagues such as Sir Tim Rice, Graham Nash, Trevor Horn, Stewart Copeland, Paul Gambaccini, Harvey Lisberg and Kathy Redfern.
Promises and Lies: The Story of UB40
Director and producer
First broadcast on BBC4
‘Both sides put their case in this sad yet gripping documentary.’ - The Guardian
‘Here’s a salutary tale of the music business and its ability to transform romantic ideals and group camaraderie into cynicism, greed and hate. Their enmity and rivalry give a piquant bite to the interviews in an authoritative rockumentary.’ - The Mail on Sunday
‘This perceptively told documentary explores the Birmingham band’s roots in the economic lows of the mid-Seventies and, most significantly, how money issues and ego contributed to their break up.’ -The Daily Telegraph
‘This is a sad but fascinating pop history. Recommended.’ - The Observer
Winner of the Bronze Award for Documentary at the 2017 Telly Awards in the United States.
Bands don’t come much more successful than UB40. They sold over 70 million records during a career that lasted more than 30 years, and popularised reggae around the world. And yet they ended up bankrupt and taking each other to court, splitting not just the band but a family. Charlie managed to persuade all four Campbell brothers, Robin, Ali, Duncan and David, to offer their version of events for the first time, along with Astro, Mickey Virtue, manager Bill Curbishley and friend Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.
XTC: This is Pop
Director and Producer
First broadcast on Sky Arts
‘This vibrant documentary is the tribute they deserve, filmed against an aptly surreal backdrop.’ - Radio Times
‘This is Pop is a hoot from start to finish.’ - Classic Rock Magazine
‘Much like the band itself, this documentary defies convention.’ - The Mail on Sunday
‘This eye-opening documentary takes an alternative look at XTC, one of Britain’s most influential yet unsung bands.’ - The Sun
‘Like the Swindon rockers it profiles, this documentary does its best to stand out from the crowd.’ - The Daily Mail
‘A charming, affectionate and effortlessly entertaining documentary.’ - Rick Koster, The Day
‘What a wonderful piece of work. How chuffed I am to be a small part of it.’ - Harry Shearer (The Simpsons and This is Spinal Tap)
‘I love the XTC movie so much. The train, the footage, the interviews with the band... the whole movie was an emotional experience for me.' - Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live)
‘That great XTC documentary.’ - Ed O’Brien, Radiohead
Winner of the Gold Award for Documentary and the Silver Award for Editing at the 2018 Telly Awards in the United States.
XTC were one of Britain's most influential yet underrated bands, progressing far beyond their post-punk roots to become purveyors of classic pastoral pop, developing a devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic in the process. Featuring a rare, frank, funny and at times emotional interview with the normally reclusive Andy Partridge, Charlie tells XTC’s story using a mixture of animation, model railways and drone footage. Other contributors include band members Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory and Terry Chambers, plus Harry Shearer, Stewart Copeland, Clem Burke, Miles Kane, John Leckie, Hugh Padgham and Fassine.
Come Together - The Rise of the Festival
Director and Producer
First broadcast on Sky Arts
‘The line-up for this documentary would grace any festival.’ - The Daily Telegraph
‘This enjoyable documentary examines the evolution of the music festival, from unrefined Sixties greats such as Monterey Pop and Woodstock to today’s corporate behemoths, such as Glastonbury and Coachella.’ - The Times
‘This one-off special offers a fascinating look at the evolution of these events.’ - RTE
In this major overview of the modern festival, Charlie tracks its extraordinary journey from the first speculative outdoor events at Newport on Rhode Island in the 1950s, via the vast counter-cultural gatherings at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight, to such familiar contemporary names as Glastonbury, Reading and Coachella, where every conceivable taste is catered for. Come Together is the result of a year spent filming at countless festivals across the UK and the US, interviewing the pioneers of the scene and the musicians who performed at those trailblazing events. It features rare archive footage and exclusive new interviews with Pete Townshend, Steve Winwood, Bob Geldof, Nick Mason, Ian Anderson, Noel Gallagher, Michael Eavis, Michael Lang, George Wein, DA Pennebaker, Cerys Matthews and Bob Harris.
Fairport Convention - Folk Heroes
Director and Producer
First broadcast on Sky Arts
‘Among the many talking heads in this absorbing account of Fairport’s life and times, it’s Rick Wakeman who provides the best quote. The band’s decision to go electric in the late 60s was, he says, ‘like putting a condom machine in the Vatican.’ The watershed moment came with A Sailor’s Life, the centuries-old ballad that Fairport fashioned into what founder member Ashley Hutchings calls ‘the first British traditional folk rock track’. Director Charlie Thomas does a fine job of explaining how they got there and where they took it.’ - Prog Magazine
‘Fifty years after their formation, this documentary examines why the band remains so influential.’ - The Mail on Sunday
‘A great job. Very enjoyable.’ - Joe Boyd, record producer
Few bands can claim to have created a new genre and established their own festival. But then not many bands are like Fairport Convention. By fusing traditional English ballads with rock, they initiated British folk rock in 1969. The following decade they began their own festival at Cropredy. It’s still going strong and is now one of the country’s longest running music events. In this film Charlie focuses on their pioneering first five years before coming up to date with contemporary footage of their 50th anniversary concert at Cropredy. Among those he interviewed are original members Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson, Dave Pegg, Iain Matthews and Judy Dyble, plus Steve Winwood, Ralph McTell, Ian Anderson, Maddy Prior, Bob Harris, Suggs and Rick Wakeman.
The Kinks: Echoes of a World
Director
First broadcast on Sky Arts
‘The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society’ flopped when it was released in 1968, its themes out of step with the revolutionary mood of the times. Now it is regarded as one of the most influential works in British popular music. In this documentary to mark the album’s 50th anniversary, Charlie interviews the three surviving original members of the band, brothers Ray and Dave Davies and drummer Mick Avory, who take us through the writing and recording process for what was, for Ray in particular, a highly personal album. He also speaks to musicians who have been influenced by the album, including Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Blur’s Graham Coxon, XTC’s Andy Partridge, Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniacs and producer Greg Kurstin.
‘‘This month marks the 50th anniversary of ‘one of rock’s greatest lost albums’. That statement is just about the only thing this rock documentary gets wrong (lost? It’s a classic!) as the band discuss this most English of records.’ - The Times
‘In 1968, in the face of opposition from a singles-obsessed music industry, the Kinks released the concept album The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society. Here, Ray Davies and the band explain the inspiration behind their treasured record of lost youth and innocence on the village green.’ - The Guardian
‘Released the same day as the Beatles’ White Album, its songs of draught beer and strawberry jam sank without trace. Fifty years on, however, it is – according to Noel Gallagher – ‘one of the three albums you have to have’. - The Sunday Times
If you are interested in Charlie’s taste in music, and his predilection for resequencing albums, head to mach-schau on Spotify.