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2006 Archive

5th October 2006

It's a tough job but someone's got to do it!

Another busy month. A mixture of performing and preparing for the launch of the first Frankie Novak single. A touch of Las Vegas - and glamour - was added at one corporate party with the Showgirls from Impact. It looks like we'll be reunited soon - I'm looking forward to it! Who wouldn't? The team has been busy too, we've shot two videos to go with the EP single (due out late October)… it's being edited as we speak. A photo shoot with 'rock photographer' Ami Barwell, who's done work for Blur, Radiohead, Emma Bunton - and now, yours truly! Top graphic designer Dave Low is working on the artwork for the single. There is already some record company interest. Wow, it's all pretty exciting at the moment. Fantastic!

11th September 2006

Where am I?

I often get asked by people who find the website or hear about me: "where can we go to see and hear Frankie Novak?" The problem being that more often than not the engagements that I do are private parties and events. Though there do seem to be more and more public events with themed evenings getting into the diary. Here is a list of those coming up with contact numbers to find out more. If any of those venues are near you, I'd be delighted to see you there. << Frankie's Gig List >>

I do seem to be attracting the attention of band leaders, which will mean more public or cabaret type events like the Sands Venue in Gainsborough. Who knows if the single release creates a buzz, we may be able to put on a UK tour - that would be cool!

14th Aug 2006

New Songs From Frankie Novak

Finally, after choosing the songs, working on the arrangements and rehearsing the band, I got into the studio to start recording last week. The band - Terry Collie (piano), Ted Carrasco (drums), Phil Berry (double bass) and Jo Fooks (sax) - were superb! We got four tracks down. Over the next week or so I'll add the definitive vocals and we'll do the final mixes. After that, it'll be action stations to get the photos done, the CD packaging and 'Frankie Novak' branding sorted and the marketing campaign underway. I'm extremely pleased with the tracks and very excited.

If you like Swing, you'll love these songs. It's just the beginning. Can't wait!

30th June 2006

Fly Me To The Moon

23rd June 2006

Deal Or No Deal? Deal!

Got the call from the Deal Or No Deal team to perform some swing at the season 2 'wrap party'. The venue, the Hunstrete House Hotel near Bath, very classy! The Endemol production team clearly deserving a good bash for their efforts in making this Channel 4 show such a big success. Noel Edmonds agreed 100%.

Ask me any question about marquees. I've seen so many lately. If only the British weather was a couple of degrees warmer, eh girls? Bumped into Noel and the hard working staff. Everyone enjoyed the show! Up dancing and singing along, which helped to keep them warm. Nikki, Leanne and Emma, your efforts paid off! Cheers!

19th June 2006

The Name's Novak… Frankie Novak

A recent engagement took me to Pinewood Studios in Bucks, famous for the James Bond and Mission Impossible films. The theme was the 60s' cool and sophistication – who else could they ask? This time I used the services of a 7-piece band to provide the backing. Excellent stuff! Well done to the guys… I even had an encounter with Odd Job!

One little adventure from the night: I managed to leave my stage suit behind at the gig… I would like to thank the staff at the Heatherden Hall for looking after it and returning it to me – shaken not stirred!

14th June 2006

Rediscovering Matt Monro

I've been listening to Matt Monro a lot lately. Probably one of the finest singers Britain has produced… just love his 'easy' style, it's so effortless. There seems to be a lot of interest in him just now. Even Frank Sinatra was a fan. I've now got nine Matt Monro songs in the repertoire… great to sing and they go down very well with the audiences. Cheers Matt!

Radio Frankie Novak!

Frankie Novak got to sing live on air this week… on the BBC no less! I was asked to sing and did an impromptu rendition of Matt Monro's Softly As I leave You. A chat about future plans and an invite to come back and sing again, hopefully with the new single…

28th May 2006

Having A Ball

Work on new recordings is under way. I'm currently working with pianist Carl Membrino and arranger Toby Cruse to produce tracks for release in the next couple of months. They will probably be available via download as well, though we will be looking for major record company interest. Along with a bunch of original songs, there will be some unusual covers to surprise, stir the memories and maybe bring a little smile. Something differently familiar!

Spring is here and Summer is meant to be on its way, so we were pleased to help out at a Spring Charity Ball (right) for St. Nicholas' School in Hampshire.

8th May 2006

Busy, busy!

It's a busy time for Frankie Novak and the team. I'm not complaining… The Rat Pack never complained about the numerous shows a day, did they; they worked hard and they played hard. It's just a joy to be out there doing it; It's great to see you lot get and up dance and enjoy yourselves. When I see that happen, I know I'm doing something right!

Frankie goes international…

We're just back from an engagement in County Cork, Southern Ireland. We received a real Irish welcome and were made to feel part of the family. We arrived early; we always make sure that the sound is just right, and the is stage set for a professional show. The other plus with the early arrival being that we get to meet the people involved in the day's celebration, which always adds something to the performance. The show went so well that a third spot was added to keep everybody happy – and, of course, up dancing. If it's good for you, it's good for me! That's the philosophy. (BTW, the Murphy's stout went down well too!)

We are looking at possible trips to the Far East and Middle East, and maybe the States; we just need to make those contacts and organise it!

Inspiring

I got some tickets for the Sinatra show at the London Palladium. It was centred around footage of Ol' Blue Eyes, taken mainly from 60's TV shows. The backing was provided by a superb live orchestra. Well done chaps. The spectacle was enhanced by a dance troupe strutting their stuff, although, my eyes were glued to Frank, most of the time. Chopped down movie screens of Frank moved about, across the stage… drawing you into the drama of his life as it unfolded. Very clever, actually.

They are such great songs. Focusing on them, you realise how poignant they often were: the break up with Ava Gardner and One For My Baby – that's real, that's raw! For the fans, a great show… Sinatra live (almost). It ended with a Sinatra comment about hoping that somebody would continue the legacy, "...so it doesn't die where it is". You know, I liked the show so much, I saw it twice. Just to make sure.

Recording the new songs

One of the main goals is to produce a single and album: I want to make sure we get the sound and the arrangements just right. It will be classic swing with a new twist – something new for everyone who loves this stuff…

We've got some original songs that we are currently working on. It takes time, but it will be worth it and I think Sinatra would be pleased.

Until the next installment…Keep Swingin'!