Review: Micky Dolenz ‘Demoiselle’ 7a Records Release

Between the 1989 and 1996 Monkees reunions, Micky Dolenz busied himself with several projects. One was to be his first real Rock and Roll solo album. Collaborating with the late Jerry Corbetta of the band Sugarloaf, Micky recorded demos of the songs he wanted to use for the proposed solo album. Due to other pressing professional and personal matters, the album went through a series of starts and stops. Three of Micky’s songs ended up on the Monkees 1996 reunion album ‘Justus’. Not finding interest from the record companies, Micky privately released a signed limited edition cd of nine of the songs for the album that was eventually titled ‘Demoiselle’ on his own website in 1998.

7a Records has reissued an expanded version of ‘Demoiselle’ with three additional songs in a rearranged set order with new cover art, many 1990’s circa photos of Micky and excellent and extensive liner notes by Monkees expert Mark Kleiner. Two of the songs, ‘My Heart Is Failing Me’ and ‘Piston Power’ were issued as a digital single prior to the album’s release. ‘My Heart’ is a nice Pop ballad with a distinct 90’s touch, and ‘Piston Power’ is a fun little Rocker.

Micky gives a wonderful performance on all of the songs. The early versions of songs that ended up on ‘Justus’ have a different feel before The Monkees put their stamp on them. ‘Never Enough’ has the Rock edge of the ‘Justus’ version minus Michael Nesmith’s guitar solo. ‘Dyin’ Of a Broken Heart’ is much more jaunty with a Rockabilly swing. ‘Regional Girl’ has a Techno rhythm with more synths in the mix. ‘We Were Not That Bad’ almost made it unto ‘Justus’, and I think that album would have benefited by its inclusion, a bittersweet song of regrets with a simple acoustic guitar backing that brings out the poignancy of the lyrics.

‘Lonely Weekends’ has a mariachi vibe running through it, you can tell Micky had a good time recording it from his lively performance. ‘Put A Hold On Your Heart’ has a great 90’s beat with a very soulful Dolenz vocal. ‘Torch For Hire’ has a very danceable Techno beat, ‘It’s The Season’ is very organ heavy and Micky does a good job singing it. A live version of ‘Since I Fell For You’ which Micky has done on Monkees and solo shows is a very soulful ballad with an emotional Micky vocal and a great saxophone solo by Aviva Maloney. The album ends with the Dolenz penned ‘Beverly Hills’, making its third appearance on a Dolenz/7a Records release, but still great to hear, and it makes a nice album closer.

As per it’s usual quality standards, 7a Records packaging of the album is excellent in both cd and red 180g vinyl. For those who missed out on the original 1998 limited release, the expanded ‘Demoiselle’ is a great addition to any Monkees and Micky Dolenz fan collection. Let’s hope that Micky will include some of these songs into his live setlist.

Are you listening, George Michael Dolenz? 😉

1. My Heart Is Failing Me
2. Lonely Weekends
3. Never Enough
4. Dyin’ Of A Broken Heart
5. We Were Not So Bad
6. Piston Power
7. Put A Hold On Your Heart
8. Regional Girl
9. Torch For Hire
10. It’s The Season
11. Since I Fell For You
12. Beverly Hills

Deep Discount Order Links: https://www.deepdiscount.com/search?q=Micky+Dolenz+demoiselle+&mod=AP

Amazon USA CD Link: https://www.amazon.com/Demoiselle-Micky-Dolenz/dp/B0B31WBM7L/ref=sr_1_2?crid=35QYXMC520VUY&keywords=micky+dolenz+demoiselle&qid=1660676769&sprefix=Micky+Dolenz%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-2

Amazon USA Vinyl Link: https://www.amazon.com/Demoiselle-180gm-Vinyl-Micky-Dolenz/dp/B0B3275Q8Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=35QYXMC520VUY&keywords=micky+dolenz+demoiselle&qid=1660676769&sprefix=Micky+Dolenz%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-3

Amazon UK CD Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Demoiselle-Micky-Dolenz/dp/B0B31WBM7L/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1660677404&refinements=p_32%3AMicky+Dolenz&s=music&sr=1-1

Amazon UK Vinyl Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Demoiselle-VINYL-Micky-Dolenz/dp/B0B3275Q8Z/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1660677404&refinements=p_32%3AMicky+Dolenz&s=music&sr=1-2

Signed Micky Dolenz Copies: https://micky-dolenz.myshopify.com/collections/all?page=2

Fred Velez, 2022.