Beverley Craven
Encyclopedia
Beverley Craven is a British
singer-songwriter
best known for her 1991 UK
Top 5 hit single
"Promise Me
". Her most recent album, Close To Home, was released in 2009. Craven has sold over 4 million records in her career.
Two years later the family returned to Hertfordshire and Craven began taking piano lessons at the age of seven encouraged by her mother who was a classical violinist, she took up piano at the age of seven. Upon leaving school, she attended art college, whilst performing with various bands in London pubs, and writing songs. She was also an accomplished swimmer during her teens and competed in several local and national swimming competitions around the UK.
Craven did not buy her first pop record until she was 15, especially buying records by singer-songwriters such as Elton John, Judi Tzuke, Stevie Wonder and, in particular, Kate Bush, all of whom influenced her music.
At 18 she left school and her home and worked in a number of odd jobs. Having failed to find any sympathetic musicians with whom to play, at the age of 22 Craven decided to strike out on her own as a piano-playing singer and songwriter. Following a brief stint touring with soul singer Bobby Womack
(who tried to sign her to his record label), she recorded her first set of demos and attracted the attention of Go West
’s manager, John Glover. He quickly set about securing her a major music publishing deal with Warner Brothers and a development contract with Epic records
followed.
of Simply Red
fame. However she felt the professionalism of the recordings failed to capture the naivete of her work and was relieved when Epic agreed. She went on to record with Paul Samwell-Smith
, whose other production credits included Cat Stevens
, Carly Simon
and All About Eve
.
The album, Beverley Craven
was eventually released in July 1990 and, although it initially failed attract attention in the United Kingdom it found acceptance in Europe.
It was not until April 1991 that she found success in her homeland. A re-released "Promise Me
" was heavily promoted and eventually peaked at #3 in the UK singles chart, becoming her biggest hit. This success helped her debut album also chart at #3 in the UK, staying charted for over a year in the UK and eventually going double platinum in that country. The album sold in excess of 1,2 million copies worldwide. Other singles released to promote the album, including "Holding On
" and "Woman To Woman
" were less successful, but helped maintain the momentum.
In 1992 she released a videotape titled Memories, recorded live at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.
In February 1992, Craven performed at the Brit Awards
show (following her nomination in three categories), winning the Best British Newcomer Award. She was eight months pregnant when she sang at the Brits and she gave birth to her first child, Mollie, less than a month later.
, again produced by Paul Samwell-Smith
, was eventually released in September 1993. It peaked at #4 on the United Kingdom charts, but overall was much less successful than her debut, spending only 13 weeks on the charts. It spawned three singles, "Love Scenes
", "Mollie's Song
" (written for her daughter), and a cover of Abba
's "The Winner Takes It All
". These singles only became minor hits, with only the title track reaching the UK top 40.
In 1993 she embarked on a twelve-date concert tour, and the following Christmas played a sell-out show at the Royal Albert Hall
.
. Craven recorded the album in her home studio and for the first time produced the record herself. The album peaked at #46 in the UK, spending two weeks on the charts. The lead single "I Miss You
" was only released as a promo single as the label refused to release it commercially. After promotion for this album ended, Craven left Epic Records and retired from the music industry to take care of her daughters.
Also in 1999, Craven contributed lead vocals on the song "The Very Last Time", included on the album The Time Machine, by Alan Parsons
.
compilation album was released, and Craven embarked on a comeback to promote the record, making a handful of live concert appearances, but shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following treatment she was finally given the all-clear, and returned to the stage in 2006, doing more tours in subsequent years.
In March 2009, Craven released her first album in ten years, Close To Home
, fully written and produced by herself. She released it on her own record label and sold it initially through her website and at concerts, although later in the year she made it available for purchase on online retailers and on digital outlets. The song "Rainbows", was released as a digital download single, and she filmed a videoclip of it.
Craven is now working on an autobiography. She is expected to tour the United Kingdom in 2011.
. The pair met at a Tears For Fears
concert in 1991, and married in 1993. They have three daughters, Mollie (b. 1992), Brenna (b. 1995) and Connie (b. 1996).
On her website on 24 December 2010, Beverley announced that "Colin and I have decided to go our separate ways after 20 years together".
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
best known for her 1991 UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Top 5 hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
"Promise Me
Promise Me (song)
"Promise Me" is a 1991 hit song by British singer Beverley Craven. A ballad, it has become Craven's signature song and best known hit.Released as the lead single of her debut album Beverley Craven in 1990, the song initially failed to chart...
". Her most recent album, Close To Home, was released in 2009. Craven has sold over 4 million records in her career.
Early life
Craven, although British, was born in Colombo in July 1963 while her father was working for Kodak in Sri Lanka.Two years later the family returned to Hertfordshire and Craven began taking piano lessons at the age of seven encouraged by her mother who was a classical violinist, she took up piano at the age of seven. Upon leaving school, she attended art college, whilst performing with various bands in London pubs, and writing songs. She was also an accomplished swimmer during her teens and competed in several local and national swimming competitions around the UK.
Craven did not buy her first pop record until she was 15, especially buying records by singer-songwriters such as Elton John, Judi Tzuke, Stevie Wonder and, in particular, Kate Bush, all of whom influenced her music.
At 18 she left school and her home and worked in a number of odd jobs. Having failed to find any sympathetic musicians with whom to play, at the age of 22 Craven decided to strike out on her own as a piano-playing singer and songwriter. Following a brief stint touring with soul singer Bobby Womack
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne "Bobby" Womack is an American singer-songwriter and musician. An active recording artist since the early 1960s where he started his career as the lead singer of his family musical group The Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guitarist, Womack's career has spanned more than 40...
(who tried to sign her to his record label), she recorded her first set of demos and attracted the attention of Go West
Go West (band)
Go West is an English pop duo, formed in 1982 by lead vocalist and drummer Peter Cox ; and guitarist and vocalist Richard Drummie...
’s manager, John Glover. He quickly set about securing her a major music publishing deal with Warner Brothers and a development contract with Epic records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
followed.
Debut album
In November 1988 she was sent to Los Angeles to work with some established songwriters and to ‘learn her craft’ playing in bars and restaurants. The experience was ‘unproductive’ she confesses, preferring even now to write alone. Soon afterwards, again in Los Angeles, she made her first attempt to record her debut album with Stewart LevineStewart Levine
Stewart Levine is an American record producer. He has worked with such artists as The Crusaders, Minnie Riperton, Lionel Richie, Simply Red, Boy George, Peter Blakeley, Joe Cocker, Oleta Adams, Curiosity Killed the Cat, Jamie Cullum, Aaron Neville, Sly Stone, Hugh Masekela and Killing Joke.Stewart...
of Simply Red
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
fame. However she felt the professionalism of the recordings failed to capture the naivete of her work and was relieved when Epic agreed. She went on to record with Paul Samwell-Smith
Paul Samwell-Smith
Paul Samwell-Smith is best known as a founding member and bassist of the 1960s English band, The Yardbirds, a group that spawned such noteworthy musicians as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page...
, whose other production credits included Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
, Carly Simon
Carly Simon
Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work...
and All About Eve
All About Eve (band)
All About Eve were a British rock/pop band. The creative core consisted of the Coventry born Julianne Regan , and the Huddersfield born Andy Cousin , with other members changing over the years...
.
The album, Beverley Craven
Beverley Craven (album)
Beverley Craven is the debut album by British singer Beverley Craven. It was released in July 1990. The album was fully written by Craven herself....
was eventually released in July 1990 and, although it initially failed attract attention in the United Kingdom it found acceptance in Europe.
It was not until April 1991 that she found success in her homeland. A re-released "Promise Me
Promise Me (song)
"Promise Me" is a 1991 hit song by British singer Beverley Craven. A ballad, it has become Craven's signature song and best known hit.Released as the lead single of her debut album Beverley Craven in 1990, the song initially failed to chart...
" was heavily promoted and eventually peaked at #3 in the UK singles chart, becoming her biggest hit. This success helped her debut album also chart at #3 in the UK, staying charted for over a year in the UK and eventually going double platinum in that country. The album sold in excess of 1,2 million copies worldwide. Other singles released to promote the album, including "Holding On
Holding On (Beverley Craven song)
"Holding On" is a ballad by British singer Beverley Craven. The song was released as the album's fourth single in late 1990. This was Craven's first entry in the UK charts, peaking at a low #95 in February 1991. After the success of "Promise Me" in May 1991, "Holding On" was re-released as the...
" and "Woman To Woman
Woman to Woman (Beverley Craven song)
Woman To Woman is a song by British singer Beverley Craven, included on her self-titled debut album."Woman To Woman" was released as the album's third single in late 1990. As with the previous singles, it failed to chart in the UK. However, after the success of the single "Promise Me", the single...
" were less successful, but helped maintain the momentum.
In 1992 she released a videotape titled Memories, recorded live at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.
In February 1992, Craven performed at the Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
show (following her nomination in three categories), winning the Best British Newcomer Award. She was eight months pregnant when she sang at the Brits and she gave birth to her first child, Mollie, less than a month later.
Love Scenes
Craven spent much of 1992 enjoying motherhood and recording her second album. Love ScenesLove Scenes (Beverley Craven album)
Love Scenes is Beverley Craven's second studio album, released in September 1993 through Epic Records.-Details:Craven started writing new songs for her second album while touring for the first one. Epic Records wanted to release a follow-up to her successful debut album Beverley Craven in 1992 to...
, again produced by Paul Samwell-Smith
Paul Samwell-Smith
Paul Samwell-Smith is best known as a founding member and bassist of the 1960s English band, The Yardbirds, a group that spawned such noteworthy musicians as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page...
, was eventually released in September 1993. It peaked at #4 on the United Kingdom charts, but overall was much less successful than her debut, spending only 13 weeks on the charts. It spawned three singles, "Love Scenes
Love Scenes (song)
"Love Scenes" is a song by British female singer Beverley Craven, the title track of her second album.-Details:After taking a 2-year break from music after giving birth to her first daughter, Craven returned to the music scene in September 1993. Love Scenes was released as the first single of her...
", "Mollie's Song
Mollie's Song
"Mollie's Song" is a ballad performed by British singer Beverley Craven, from her second album Love Scenes.-Details:The song was written about Craven's eldest daughter Mollie, born in 1992, and the lyrics talk about the joy of motherhood and the lifelong duties to it. Craven has cited this song as...
" (written for her daughter), and a cover of Abba
Abba
ABBA is the name of a former Swedish pop music group.Abba may also refer to:* ABBA , a self-titled album by the Swedish pop music group ABBA* "Abba ", a song by Christian pop and rock artist, Rebecca St...
's "The Winner Takes It All
The Winner Takes It All
"The Winner Takes It All" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. Released as the first single from the group's Super Trouper album on July 21, 1980, it is a ballad in the key of F-sharp major, reflecting the end of a romance...
". These singles only became minor hits, with only the title track reaching the UK top 40.
In 1993 she embarked on a twelve-date concert tour, and the following Christmas played a sell-out show at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
.
Mixed Emotions
Craven took a five-year hiatus after giving birth to two more daughters, and it was not until 1999 that she released her third album, Mixed EmotionsMixed Emotions (Beverley Craven album)
Mixed Emotions is the third studio album by Beverley Craven. It was released in 1999. The album was released after a 5 year hiatus, in which Craven gave birth to two daughters and took time off to take care of her 3 children....
. Craven recorded the album in her home studio and for the first time produced the record herself. The album peaked at #46 in the UK, spending two weeks on the charts. The lead single "I Miss You
I Miss You (Beverley Craven song)
"I Miss You" is a ballad performed by British singer Beverley Craven, from her third album Mixed Emotions.-Details:The song was originally written for the 1996 film The Adventures of Pinocchio, and was written from the point of view of Geppetto after Pinocchio leaves him...
" was only released as a promo single as the label refused to release it commercially. After promotion for this album ended, Craven left Epic Records and retired from the music industry to take care of her daughters.
Also in 1999, Craven contributed lead vocals on the song "The Very Last Time", included on the album The Time Machine, by Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons is a British audio engineer, musician, and record producer. He was involved with the production of several significant albums, including The Beatles' Abbey Road and Let It Be, as well as Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon for which Pink Floyd credit him as an important contributor...
.
2000s
In 2004 The Very Best of Beverley CravenThe Very Best of Beverley Craven
-Track listing:# Promise Me# Woman To Woman# Holding On# Memories# Joey# Two Of A Kind# Love Scenes# Love Is The Light# Mollie's Song# Feels Like The First Time# We Found A Place# Say You're Sorry# Phoenix From The Fire# Tick Tock...
compilation album was released, and Craven embarked on a comeback to promote the record, making a handful of live concert appearances, but shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following treatment she was finally given the all-clear, and returned to the stage in 2006, doing more tours in subsequent years.
In March 2009, Craven released her first album in ten years, Close To Home
Close to Home (album)
Close To Home is Beverley Craven's fourth studio album, her first in ten years.Craven abandoned her music career in 2000, a mixture of writer's block and the need to take care of her three young daughters. In 2004 she made a slow comeback, doing a handful of live appearances, but was diagnosed with...
, fully written and produced by herself. She released it on her own record label and sold it initially through her website and at concerts, although later in the year she made it available for purchase on online retailers and on digital outlets. The song "Rainbows", was released as a digital download single, and she filmed a videoclip of it.
Present
Craven released a live DVD, titled Live In Concert in August 2010, as well as a songbook later in the year featuring songs from her four albums.Craven is now working on an autobiography. She is expected to tour the United Kingdom in 2011.
Personal life
Craven is divorced from British singer/songwriter Colin CampsieColin Campsie
Colin Campsie is a British born singer and songwriter.A former member of 1980s pop bands The Quick and Giant Steps, Campsie was also closely involved with, but was not a member of, the pop band Go West....
. The pair met at a Tears For Fears
Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
concert in 1991, and married in 1993. They have three daughters, Mollie (b. 1992), Brenna (b. 1995) and Connie (b. 1996).
On her website on 24 December 2010, Beverley announced that "Colin and I have decided to go our separate ways after 20 years together".
Albums
| Year | Album | UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
Record label Record label In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Beverley Craven Beverley Craven (album) Beverley Craven is the debut album by British singer Beverley Craven. It was released in July 1990. The album was fully written by Craven herself.... |
3 | Columbia Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company... |
| 1993 | Love Scenes Love Scenes (Beverley Craven album) Love Scenes is Beverley Craven's second studio album, released in September 1993 through Epic Records.-Details:Craven started writing new songs for her second album while touring for the first one. Epic Records wanted to release a follow-up to her successful debut album Beverley Craven in 1992 to... |
4 | Epic Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A... |
| 1999 | Mixed Emotions Mixed Emotions (Beverley Craven album) Mixed Emotions is the third studio album by Beverley Craven. It was released in 1999. The album was released after a 5 year hiatus, in which Craven gave birth to two daughters and took time off to take care of her 3 children.... |
46 | Epic |
| 2004 | The Very Best of Beverley Craven The Very Best of Beverley Craven -Track listing:# Promise Me# Woman To Woman# Holding On# Memories# Joey# Two Of A Kind# Love Scenes# Love Is The Light# Mollie's Song# Feels Like The First Time# We Found A Place# Say You're Sorry# Phoenix From The Fire# Tick Tock... |
- | Epic |
| 2005 | Legends Legends (Beverley Craven album) -Details:* Issued in a 3 CD box set in 2005 through Epic Records. It includes her first 3 albums and a selection of b-sides and live tracks.-Track listing:Disc: 1* Promise Me* Holding On* Woman To Woman* Memories* I Miss You* Castle In The Clouds... |
- | Epic |
| 2009 | Close to Home Close to Home (album) Close To Home is Beverley Craven's fourth studio album, her first in ten years.Craven abandoned her music career in 2000, a mixture of writer's block and the need to take care of her three young daughters. In 2004 she made a slow comeback, doing a handful of live appearances, but was diagnosed with... |
- | Campsie Music |
| 2011 | Promise Me: The Best Of Beverley Craven | - | Sony |
Singles
| Year | Song | UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
Album | Record label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Promise Me Promise Me (song) "Promise Me" is a 1991 hit song by British singer Beverley Craven. A ballad, it has become Craven's signature song and best known hit.Released as the lead single of her debut album Beverley Craven in 1990, the song initially failed to chart... " |
- | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1990 | "Joey" | - | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1990 | "Woman to Woman Woman to Woman (Beverley Craven song) Woman To Woman is a song by British singer Beverley Craven, included on her self-titled debut album."Woman To Woman" was released as the album's third single in late 1990. As with the previous singles, it failed to chart in the UK. However, after the success of the single "Promise Me", the single... " |
- | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1990 | "Holding On Holding On (Beverley Craven song) "Holding On" is a ballad by British singer Beverley Craven. The song was released as the album's fourth single in late 1990. This was Craven's first entry in the UK charts, peaking at a low #95 in February 1991. After the success of "Promise Me" in May 1991, "Holding On" was re-released as the... " |
- | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1991 | "Promise Me Promise Me (song) "Promise Me" is a 1991 hit song by British singer Beverley Craven. A ballad, it has become Craven's signature song and best known hit.Released as the lead single of her debut album Beverley Craven in 1990, the song initially failed to chart... " (re-release) |
3 | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1991 | "Holding On Holding On (Beverley Craven song) "Holding On" is a ballad by British singer Beverley Craven. The song was released as the album's fourth single in late 1990. This was Craven's first entry in the UK charts, peaking at a low #95 in February 1991. After the success of "Promise Me" in May 1991, "Holding On" was re-released as the... " (re-release) |
32 | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1991 | "Woman to Woman Woman to Woman (Beverley Craven song) Woman To Woman is a song by British singer Beverley Craven, included on her self-titled debut album."Woman To Woman" was released as the album's third single in late 1990. As with the previous singles, it failed to chart in the UK. However, after the success of the single "Promise Me", the single... " (re-release) |
40 | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1991 | "You're Not the First" | - | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1991 | "Memories" | 68 | Beverley Craven | Epic |
| 1993 | "Love Scenes Love Scenes (song) "Love Scenes" is a song by British female singer Beverley Craven, the title track of her second album.-Details:After taking a 2-year break from music after giving birth to her first daughter, Craven returned to the music scene in September 1993. Love Scenes was released as the first single of her... " |
34 | Love Scenes | Epic |
| 1993 | "Mollie's Song Mollie's Song "Mollie's Song" is a ballad performed by British singer Beverley Craven, from her second album Love Scenes.-Details:The song was written about Craven's eldest daughter Mollie, born in 1992, and the lyrics talk about the joy of motherhood and the lifelong duties to it. Craven has cited this song as... " |
61 | Love Scenes | Epic |
| 1994 | "The Winner Takes It All The Winner Takes It All "The Winner Takes It All" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. Released as the first single from the group's Super Trouper album on July 21, 1980, it is a ballad in the key of F-sharp major, reflecting the end of a romance... " |
77 | Love Scenes | Epic |
| 1999 | "I Miss You I Miss You (Beverley Craven song) "I Miss You" is a ballad performed by British singer Beverley Craven, from her third album Mixed Emotions.-Details:The song was originally written for the 1996 film The Adventures of Pinocchio, and was written from the point of view of Geppetto after Pinocchio leaves him... " (promo only) |
- | Mixed Emotions | Epic |
| 1999 | "We Found a Place" (Polish promo only) | - | Mixed Emotions | Epic |
| 1999 | "Say You're Sorry" (Polish promo only) | - | Mixed Emotions | Epic |
| 2009 | "Rainbows" | - | Close To Home | Campsie Music |
Videos
- Memories (1992) (VHSVHSThe Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
- a mixture of promo videoclips and a live performance at the Birmingham Symphony Hall) - Live In Concert (2010) (DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
) - live performance at the High Barn in Great BardfieldGreat BardfieldGreat Bardfield is a large village in Essex, England.The Great Lodge at Bardfield is a Grade II listed building, which built in the 16th century and was given to Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII as one of several properties as part of a generous settlement for an amicable divorce. The grounds include...
, Essex, plus the promo videoclip of her song Rainbows.