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Beverley Craven

Venue: Fraser Theatre
Town: Knaresborough
Date: 13/9/14
Website: http://www.beverleycraven.com/

The intimate surroundings of the Fraser Theatre in Knaresborough make a perfect venue for a very personal evening with Beverley Craven. A gig with this beautiful and immensely talented singer is just like a session with your therapist, that is if you have one. Rarely does a performer pour out his or her heart quite like Beverley. Emotions are raw but delivered with a wonderful self-deprecatory sense of hour between the songs.

Two hours, comprising primarily of love songs based on Beverley's experience with men, just flew by. This stunning lady, looking uncannily like Coronation Street's Tracey Barlow, came to prominence n the early 90's, then took a break to spend more time with her family. She then resumed her career but was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She then wrote for her daughters what must be one of the most emotional songs ever written. "Without me." The title will tell you what the song is about. Her daughters play a major part in her life, Mollie, Brenna and Connie, two of whom have had songs written about them. Brenna, the one without the song is waiting for her turn. No doubt it will happen in due course. Beverley just needs something to happen to inspire her to write about. According to Beverley, her Mum once asked her if she ever writes happy songs. The answer was "no" but the end results are nearly always excellent love songs.

Beverley was accompanied by Frank Mead on Saxophone, Clarinet, Harmonica and the Low D Whistle. Frank is an amazing music man with an incredible background. Take the time to look at his website and you will see what I mean. Just look at the artists he has worked with. He is shortly off on tour with Bill Wyman and his Rhythm Kings. Frank has worked with Beverley for about thirty years and looks after and over her with a sort of Fatherly pride. I had a lovely chat with him at the break. He is a real man of music.

So, an evening of keyboard and sax, I am not dyslexic, full of beautiful songs, amazing musicianship and some truly wonderful stories. Beverley is apparently just as nice off stage as she is on it according to the promoter. She has a new album out just now and is touring the UK. For dates see the website.

This is the second time that my wife and I have seen Beverley and on each occasion I have been totally drawn into her world. One amusing comment she made was about her use of a dating website. I have no idea why someone that looks as good as she does and has so much talent needs a dating website.

In conclusion, if you fancy an evening of great music about real people and events, like the piano, enjoy listening to wonderful sax playing and love a good story that may just tear you apart, then this is for you. Some of you may be aware that at one stage Beverley was sponsored by Tampax. Kleenex is probably far more appropriate now.

Rory Stansbridge