Beverley has kindly agreed to answer a selection of fans' questions - if you have a question you would like to put to her please email us here
Hi Beverley, I have been a fan of yours for many years and practiced and practiced ‘Promise Me’ for hours and hours listening from the vinyl single until I was happy it was a reasonable interpretation of your masterpiece. Same was said of 'Castle In The Clouds', and finally after many years of wishing, I was one of the fortunate few to experience your inspirational live performance on Tyneside in May 2007.
I have decided to buy a workstation to create some soulful ballads but have only ever played the piano before. Is there one that you would suggest I look at? Your opinion would be very valuable to me. Thanking you in anticipation and thanks for many years of your tremendous music.
Regards, Andy. County Durham
Bev: Hi Andy, modern technology has left me behind, I'm afraid....The system I use is digital tape (TASCAM D98's & 38's) as opposed to the latest computer technology. I can master on my home studio i.e. record all the stuff that will end up on the record, but I do the master mixes elsewhere with a proper engineer! My set up is great for demos (32 track digital) and I record most of the overdubs (guitars, BV's, percussion, solos etc) at home. There's so many ways you can go... it's difficult to recommend a particular system, especially when I'm such a Luddite!
Hi, who played the harmonica on the track Woman To Woman? Can't get that those riffs out of my head. Regards, Aslak
Bev: Frank Mead played the harmonica on Woman to Woman. He also plays alto, tenor & soprano sax and penny whistle amongst a multitude of other instruments!
Hi, I am a raving fan "away from home" and already wearing out my 3 CDs: Beverley Craven, Love Scenes and Mixed Emotions. Is there any chance of you touring America?
Thank you for all the joy you give to so many. Best wishes from Los Angeles
Bev: Dear raving fan from LA, I don't think there's much chance of my touring the US. Why don't you just come and live over here?!!
Hi Beverley, what are the songs are you most proud of? Best wishes, John
Bev: Dear John, I keep changing my mind about which song is my favourite. Obviously, if it wasn't for 'Promise Me' I might not have had a career at all, so in terms of which one has changed my life the most it has to be that one.
Hi Beverley, I am so looking forward to the new album – and wondered when the release date would be? Many thanks! Jo
Bev: Jo, I don't have a release date, as yet, for the new album. My manager is nagging me (as always) but I guess it'll be ready when it's done! Any suggestion for a title...?
Bev x
AUGUST 2007 REPLIES:
Do you have any plans to play any dates in Europe next year?
Bev: There are no concrete plans for any European dates as yet, but the summer '08 tour might include a few shows abroad!
Will your new CD be available in shops or just from theatres?
Bev: The CD will definitely be available at shows and via the website. I'm also looking at the possibility of it being available in the shops - I'll keep you posted!
Apart from Rob Cowen, Breathe and Alan Parsons are there any other artists who you have worked with?
Bev: I've been asked to do duets with a number of people over the years, but they've all wanted to do a duet of 'Promise Me', and (quite frankly) I feel like I've already done that song, and why would I want to do it again? I sang a duet with Michael McDonald in a show in Madeira several years ago. He was absolutely brilliant. We did the Bonnie Raitt song, 'I Can't Make You Love Me'. I'd like to work with him again...
You have never recorded a duet - is that something you would like to do and which singer(s) would you like to work with?
Bev: There's loads of other artists I'd love to work with - and it's so easy nowadays with modern technology to contribute to someone else's stuff. It's my favourite part - adding the icing and frilly bits and finding my own space in the track.
Have you any regrets career-wise and what are you proudest of in your career?
Bev: Regrets... Yep. I turned up to a show once at the Business Design Centre in Islington without rehearsing and made a complete pillock of myself... And touring when I was five and a half months pregnant wasn't a wise move either...
But probably my proudest moment was doing a show at the Royal Albert Hall.
Bev x
