Vanessa Craven Music Videos 2020 - present

2026
“Malaika”
Rerecorded with Vanessa Craven, Uday Patel & Zdena Schwangmeier

Malaika – a timeless East African love song of longing, first taught to me by my school friend decades ago. Malaika (Swahili for “Angel”) tells the story of a man who can’t afford the dowry to marry his beloved. Its heartfelt lyrics have touched generations across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this special version, my school friend Uday Patel—who first shared the song with me back in ’67/’68— joins me on vocals and whistle over a refreshed “Homebrew” recording with Lake Mist. I play guitar, harmonica, udu, and sticks, with Zdena Schwangmeier on uke bass, adding subtle new touches to honor the original while giving it fresh life. A song of love, memory, and music’s timeless magic—let Malaika carry you away.

2025

“Aautumn Time” – Music Video – May 2025

My new music video called ‘Autumn Time’ – an original song.

After summer’s blaze fades, autumn arrives like a gentle exhale — a season of reflection, quiet transformation, and tender letting go. Autumn Time was born from those moments of stillness, inspired by the drift of friendships past and present, and the quiet beauty of change that we all move through.

Like falling leaves painted in gold and fire, this song captures the bittersweet emotions of memory, connection, and life’s ever-turning seasons. It’s about the spaces in between — where we pause, breathe, and begin again.

If you’ve ever felt the melancholy of a goodbye or the warmth of a lingering friendship, this one’s for you. Thank you for listening — I hope it speaks to something in your heart.

A huge thanks to Zdena Schwangmeiere on Uke Bass, Suzanne Coutanceau for her expertise with putting the video together and sharing some wonderful video footage from Trentham and surrounds and last but not least Suki our beloved pooch for adding her ‘doggieness’ and presence in the video.

I hope you enjoy it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQc2cgkRAVk

My Old Rav4 – Music Video April 2025
Lake Mist- (Vanessa Craven Vocals, guitar,harmonica and Zdena Schwngmeier Uke bass.)

“Ah, My Old Rav4—a title that truly encapsulates the journey of my beloved ride. And yes, ladies, we do love our cars too! This little beast has been my trusty sidekick since 1997, and as we roll into 2025, she’s still going strong.”
https://youtu.be/f5lLqn8OhAs

Music – Lake Mist @ Ballan Autumn Festival 2025
https://youtu.be/zVGICvfYnJ4

Music Vanessa Craven – Solo – @ Ballan Autumn festival 2011
https://youtu.be/i81zYf1swss

Poetry Reading and Singing :Williamstown Literary Fesitval 2024
Reading “Winterline” from “Under the Mop Top Tree”
https://www.facebook.com/100063537371874/videos/pcb.992733522854551/1187442238944961

Singing “My Old Rav4” poem which has morphed into a song at Williamstown Literary Festival.
https://www.facebook.com/100063537371874/videos/pcb.992733522854551/1010720963729176

Birds In My Tree – The Magic of Birds and The Joys of Singing