Love scenes - Beverley Craven

Beverley Craven released her second album 'Love scenes' in 1993, after giving birth to her first daugher, Mollie. This experience ended up being part of the subject matter on that album, unfortunately, with the track 'Mollie's song' as the most unfortunate result.

The title track was released as the album's first single, and it was also the last single to be released on the 7" vinyl format. Subsequent singles 'Mollie's song' (yes, I couldn't believe it either) and 'The winner takes it all' (a cover of the Abba track) were only released on cd-single. 'Love scenes' reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1996
Found: London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love scenes' / 'Blind faith'

Memories - Beverley Craven

'Memories' was the last single to be released from Beverley Craven's self-titled debut album. The song already foreshadowed the sappy ballads that would appear on her later work. It also showed that the audiences weren't impressed: the single stalled at number 68 in the UK singles chart.

The single was mainly released to promote the live video that was released. Beverley Craven in concert: not the most exciting show, but (mostly) good songs nonetheless. This 7" single featured one live track on the B-side, the two cd-singles would feature three more.

My collection: 7" single no. 2745
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Memories' / 'Holding on (live)'

Woman to woman - Beverley Craven

I didn't realise this when I wrote my previous entry about Beverley Craven's 'Woman to woman', but I've got several copies of this single. The UK edition features the same tracks as the European counterpart, but it has a different sleeve (no. 2266).

That same sleeve is used for a Spanish one-sided promotional single. It features only 'Woman to woman', and not the B-side (no. 2611). And finally, there's the limited edition poster sleeve from the UK (no. 2609; pictured below).

Now why did this single get all these different numbers in my administration? These days I use the basic premise that the single should have different tracks, but in the old days I didn't. And so, here it is: three different numbers - four, if you count the European one - for two tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 2266 / no. 2609 / no. 2611
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, April 8, 1995 (no. 2266) / Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders each
Tracks: 'Woman to woman' / 'Everything but the blues'

Woman to woman - Beverley Craven

'Woman to woman' was released as the third single from Beverley Craven's self-titled debut album. Just like 'Promise me' and 'Joey' before it, this single did not chart in the UK. But the single also didn't chart in the Netherlands.

All this despite a rather attractive B-side, a new track that didn't appear on the album. It seemed Craven's career was off to a rough start.

My collection: 7" single no. 1438
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 11, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Woman to woman' / 'Everything but the blues'

Holding on - Beverley Craven

'Holding on' was the third single taken from Beverley Craven's self-titled debut album. Released in July 1991, it reached number 32 in the UK singles chart, but it didn't chart in the Netherlands, where it was released a few months previous.

The B-side was a new track that Beverley would re-record a year later for her next album. This original version wins out, because it sounds a lot more energetic and less contrived.

My collection: 7" single no. 1403
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 16, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Holding on' / 'Look no further'

Joey - Beverley Craven

Beverley Craven's later work would be the housewife's wet dream, as the lyrics were all about homely subjects: period pains, faithful wifes and of course... children. However, her second single 'Joey', which was still quite listenable, was an early sign of this danger: the song was about her dog.

The audiences in different countries were not amused, and so the single flopped mercilessly. It's a shame, because the B-side is actually one of the best songs of her career!

My collection: 7" single no. 1959
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Joey' / 'It doesn't have to end this way'

Promise me - Beverley Craven

'Promise me' was the debut single from Beverley Craven. It was released in the summer of 1990. While her debut album reached number 3 in the UK albums chart, this single did not reach the UK singles chart. Meanwhile, it was a big hit in Europe, reaching number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 for instance.

The song was recorded in a Chinese version performed by Sandy Lam a year later. The song was also covered by Bulgaria-born French singer, songwriter and harpist Rossitza Milevska on her debut cd 'Pop harp' in 2006.

My collection: 7" single no. 1332
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Promise me' / 'I listen to the rain'