Reviews
Artist:Beverley Craven
Album:Close To Home
Label:Campsie Music
Tracks:10
Website:http://www.beverleycraven.net
Singer songwriter Beverley Craven topped the charts in 1991 with her hit single Promise Me. Ten years ago, she opted out, choosing to focus instead on being Mum to her three daughters. Now they are in their teens, she returns with her fourth studio album, titled Close To Home, due for release in May.
In keeping with the title, a lot of the songs are about herself, her family, people close to her. One song is about a friend but she won't divulge which song or friend! In 2005, Beverley was diagnosed with breast cancer although thankfully she is now all clear. Two of the songs on this new CD were inspired by this experience. The opening track, Rainbows, is an upbeat track, enhanced by sax, full of joy, about how there can't be good without bad and how we should appreciate the little things. Without Me is a more poignant, though somehow positive, song written for her daughters, should they have had to live without her. The simplicity of just Beverley's voice and the piano are stunning. Even the hardest of hearts couldn't fail to be moved, as she tells them they'd be fine and to be all that they can be.
Your Girl, My Man, is a pop tinged love song, which you have to suspect is about her husband. Never Be The Same is a beautiful ballad of regret, which more than demonstrates that Beverley has retained that striking quality in her voice, even after all these years. Fun, Fun, Fun, is an awesome, very cleverly written song about her not wishing to judge someone who has made a mistake; I won't spoil it by saying what that mistake is!
Everlasting Love was originally written for a movie score. It was a film about King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table, that Beverley jokingly acknowledges as her attempt at 'doing a Bryan Adams Everything I Do...' Unfortunately it never made it into the film, but it has made it into several set lists prior to its inclusion on the CD.
Music on the CD is provided by her band of old, including her saxophonist who has been with her from the very beginning. It is clear on listening, that they are a talented group of musicians, and that they all work very well together.
Suffice it to say that after a ten year hiatus, I couldn't have asked for a better release. It demonstrates maturity and new priorities, whilst demonstrating the voice and writing which made her famous the first time around. She states that at 45, she doesn't intend breaking into the charts, but this is certainly a must for all who loved Promise Me and for anyone who is just discovering the talent that was and still is, Beverley Craven.
There are a string of live concert dates around the UK between now and the Autumn - see www.beverleycraven.net for details. It is also worth pointing out that Close to Home is only available through the website or at shows.
Helen Mitchell