The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz Releasing Mike Nesmith Covers Album

Set for release on May 21st is Micky Dolenz' take on a number of Monkees bandmate Mike Nesmith's tunes, titled Dolenz Sings Nesmith, according to Deadline. The album, which is being released on the Monkees-based rarity label 7a Records, was produced by Nesmith's eldest son Christian Nesmith, who also tours as part of his father and Dolenz' Monkees revue.

Dolenz Sings Nesmith features songs written throughout Nesmith's career — including his Monkees years. It will be released on 180-gram colored vinyl, on CD, as well as on all digital platforms.

Last summer Dolenz told Rolling Stone, “I’ve always been a huge fan of his songs. I think I first mentioned this idea to Nez years ago when we first got together for a tour with Peter (Tork) after Davy (Jones) passed. I don’t know where the idea came from, maybe from my friend Harry Nilsson and his (1970 Randy Newman tribute LP) Nilsson Sings Newman. I thought to myself, 'Wow, Dolenz Sings Nesmith.'”

Micky Dolenz explained to us that although Mike Nesmith had been physically absent from the band for most of the last 30-plus years, his songs never have been: “I must say, I love the novelty, in a way, of playing with Mike — but then again, I've always done a lot — and we always have — a ton of Nesmith material.”

Although the inner band conflict between the Monkees are the stuff of legend, Micky Dolenz told us that whenever a group of people has been as closely linked to each other as the Monkees were, it's only natural to bicker: “You become siblings. I mean the relationship becomes like siblings. And if you have siblings y'know, that sometime you love 'em, sometimes you hate 'em, you get in fights, but you'd die for each other, y'know, if it came down to it. But when you spend that much time and you go through that kind of situation. . . I mean, I probably spent more time over the years with some of those guys than I have with some of my siblings.”

The tracklisting to 'Dolenz Sings Nesmith' is:

“Carlisle Wheeling,” “Different Drum,” “Don’t Wait For Me,” “Keep On,” “Marie’s Theme,” “Nine Times Blue,” “Little Red Rider,” “Tomorrow And Me,” “Circle Sky,” “Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun To Care),” “Tapioca Tundra,” “Only Bound,” “You Are My One,” and “Grand Ennui” — CD-only bonus track.