Beverley Craven is back with a bang - her new album Change of Heart was released at the start of the month, and at the same time she headed out on the road - the start of a 36-date nationwide tour.
On Saturday (Sept 20) it's our chance to catch Beverley in the live, when she performs at The Stables in Wavendon.
The single Promise Me shot Beverley into the charts upon its release in 1991.
The album that followed continued the success and in 1992, she was a triple nominee at the Brit Awards, taking home the gong for Best British Newcomer.
Then, in 2004, while promoting her Very Best Of compilation, Beverley was devastated to learn that she had breast cancer.
A long, hard road to recovery followed, and she was eventually given the all-clear.
Now, once again, her music is doing the talking and an 'emotional experience' is promised at the live shows.
To book for the Wavendon date, visit www.stables.org or call 01908 280800.
Beverley answered our On Track teasers...
The song that first awakened your musical senses
The first pop record? It was either Kate Bush Wuthering Heights or ELO Telephone Line. Before that, I was a fan of Chopin Waltzes
Physical or digital - how do you take your music?
I've literally just gotten to grips with digital recording software - LogicPro, but I've always preferred real musicians, so I combine the two.
I use my laptop 'studio' like a tape machine - I just stick it into record with no midi or quantizing. I'm doing a limited edition vinyl for my new album
The first time you thought - 'Music - this is the job for me'
I was 17 and at Art College, just finishing up a foundation course, when I met an old rock guitarist in a pub one night, who wanted me to be in his band. I immediately signed up for Social Security and spent the next few years as a struggling muso!
Your best on stage memory...
There are loads of on stage memories...playing the Albert Hall was amazing...and the Hammersmith Apollo (both venues have very nice acoustics).
And there was one show, during a European tour, when I realised that I wasn't nervous any more - that was a great feeling!
The Diamond Spotlight Awards in Antwerp, when the whole audience sang along to Promise Me...fabulous!
The Shaw Theatre, when I had a MASSIVE band with a choir and a trad jazz group - that was very memorable.
And the worst gig you've ever done
It was a gig in Aberystwyth, Wales...I think about 30 people showed up in a 400 capacity venue - a tad embarrassing!
What made you take up the piano
My mum played the piano - at the age of six I thought everyone did!
I remembers asking her if I could have lessons. She said I was a bit too young and had to wait until I was seven
Which one song by another artist do you wish you had written
Get Here, Brenda Russell. Such a great production too - the way the track builds from virtually nothing to a full on, no expense spared ending
And one - by yourself - which holds special significance
Without Me - I wrote it for my girls when I had just finished treatment for breast cancer, and only time would tell if I had managed to catch it early enough. It's a bit sad, but that's what I like!
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
I'm a frustrated bass player - it's such a physical and melodic part of a track - it gets me in the guts. My bass player, Felix Krish hates it when I wander into his frequency...one of my favourite jokes is 'How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb...none, the keyboard player will do it with his left hand!
Are there any current musical influences you might look to
I try not to be influenced by anyone - I don't listen to the radio unless I'm in the car, and then never for very long. But my songwriting has been unconsciously 'shaped' by people like Steely Dan, 10CC, Sade, Kate Bush, Judi Tzuke, Bee Gees, Elton John...
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
Complicated jazz, rap and techno. I love a melody and a sentiment - songs that make me feel something.
Finally, tell us what we can expect from The Stables show
I've got a full band line up for The Stables - bass, drums, keys, sax and me.
We'll play for two hours with a 20 minute bar break in-between...a mix of old and new stuff with a sprinkling of jokes.
I'm SO looking forward to it!
Which one song by another artist do you wish you had written
Get Here, Brenda Russell. Such a great production too - the way the track builds from virtually nothing to a full on, no expense spared ending
And one - by yourself - which holds special significance
Without Me - I wrote it for my girls when I had just finished treatment for breast cancer, and only time would tell if I had managed to catch it early enough. It's a bit sad, but that's what I like!
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
I'm a frustrated bass player - it's such a physical and melodic part of a track - it gets me in the guts. My bass player, Felix Krish hates it when I wander into his frequency...one of my favourite jokes is 'How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb...none, the keyboard player will do it with his left hand!
Are there any current musical influences you might look to
I try not to be influenced by anyone - I don't listen to the radio unless I'm in the car, and then never for very long. But my songwriting has been unconsciously 'shaped' by people like Steely Dan, 10CC, Sade, Kate Bush, Judi Tzuke, Bee Gees, Elton John...
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
Complicated jazz, rap and techno. I love a melody and a sentiment - songs that make me feel something.
Finally, tell us what we can expect from The Stables show
I've got a full band line up for The Stables - bass, drums, keys, sax and me.
We'll play for two hours with a 20 minute bar break in-between...a mix of old and new stuff with a sprinkling of jokes.
I'm SO looking forward to it!
