FRANKLEE ANATRA "Tempting"

by jenny heying

I’ve really fallen in love with guitars of late and hearing someone who not only can play but caresses it as he does simply drives me insane. FrankLee Anatra cradles his guitar and lets the music ease out of it. Leading off his set at The Junkyard with “Guitar Man”, FrankLee let his guitar call out to the crowd. It’s not abrupt, nor forceful; it just peacefully plays and carries the melody for FrankLee’s voice to follow.

And his voice, well it’s sultry, sexy, dreamy, and I could listen for hours. On “Spooky”, his voice just kind of tempts you while your heart melts. Yes, he’s that kind of performer. The kind women love to see and men just hate to hear is in town. FrankLee is a modern day crooner and ladies, you’ll love him.

FrankLee’s set list covers the decades. From the 1950’s to today, he plays it all. Covering “Out On The Weekend”, FrankLee soothes you. He’s a wonderful singer and no matter whom he covers, it overwhelms you. With “Wonderful World”, he makes it joyous and listening to him, you can feel the joy.


FrankLee is billed as having a honey-mellow voice and while I didn’t come up with that, I wish I had. It describes his voice perfectly. It’s smooth, sexy and romantic. He melts girls’ hearts with it but I don’t think any of them mind. I sure didn’t.

“Sweet Surrender”, “Jealous Guy” and “Something Better” show his versatility. He crosses genres and time lines frequently and easily. His silky voice always leading his guitar down the honey-mellow road. His guitar follows blindly but passionately, keeping the melody for all to follow.

The Junkyard is a cozy little place that looks like … well .. a junkyard. Complete with burning trash and a lot of things you probably through out in the trash, they have a small stage setting for the live music they promote.

FrankLee plays the guitar as romantically as he sings. Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether it’s his guitar or voice that seduces you. On “Because You Love Me”, while his voice was at its sexiest, it was his guitar that did the damage. Whether picking or strumming, it comes through strong without being overbearing or unnerving. It’s clean without being loud. Simply put, it’s addicting.

He’s a complete package. His set list will win anyone over and when it’s played by his guitar and relayed through his voice, you’re captured. While he covers a great selection, it’s the romantic songs that really get you hooked. Songs like “Nights In White Satin” simply make you cringe. You hope he’s singing about you. Okay, I’m getting carried away. But he really is that good. Whether performing or chatting or reading out a dedication, his voice calls out to you and you answer.

Even his choice of songs is meant to win you over. “Maybe I’m Amazed” hooks you, “This Year’s Love” pulls you in, and “Hold Me Tight” ties you down. You struggle a bit, but finally succumb, willingly.

FrankLee Anatra puts you in a mood. He’s pleasurable, he’s entertaining and for an hour, he’s all yours. He closed with an original song “Me I Kinda Like It” and yes, I did kinda like it. Get out and see him girls, and guys, stay close to your girls.