IT is hard to believe that singer-songwriter Beverley Craven’s spellbinding song “Promise Me” dates back more than a quarter of a century.

Craven’s signature track, which reached number three in the charts, remains a radio favourite and fortunately for local audiences, will be on the set list when the 54-year-old appears at Swindon Arts Centre tomorrow. Other early favourites such as “Woman to Woman” and “Holding On” will also be included.

The appearance is about much more than nostalgia, however. Although Beverley’s recording schedule has often had to take a back seat to the demands of parenthood, the mother-of-three has released four albums since her 1990 eponymous debut, the most recent of which, 2014’s “Change of Heart”, will feature prominently in the upcoming show.

Although Beverley appeared to be something of an overnight success when “Promise Me” hit the charts, her route to pop stardom was not always easy. Born in Sri Lanka but largely brought up in Hertfordshire, she began learning the piano when she was just seven, encouraged by her classical pianist mother. After leaving home aged 18, she spent several difficult years taking regular jobs in London while working as a session musician in the evenings. Things began to look up when she was hired by Bobby Womack as a backing vocalist, and her fortunes were really transformed when she signed to record label Epic on the back of her demo tapes.

  • She will perform at the Arts Centre tomorrow at 8pm. Tickets are £25. To book go to swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524481.