“Strange and Wonderful” by Whirling Dervishes

Makin Waves’ song of the week is “Strange and Wonderful,” the title track from Whirling Dervishes’ 1992 album, now available on all streaming platforms.

The Whirling Dervishes from Westfield are the only band to have won the Makin Waves Band of the Year award twice! They were also the first winner in 1989.

That’s why it’s so great that they’re releasing their 1992 LP “Strange and Wonderful” on streaming platforms. The title track is the Makin Waves song of the week.

As Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Strange and Wonderful” can also be heard on “Radio Jersey” on July 12th between 6 and 8 p.m. at ThePenguinRocks.comIf you miss it, you can always find it in the archive at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

To celebrate the reissue of “Strange and Wonderful,” the Dervishes will perform a reunion concert with their longtime friends from Kanak on July 20 at The Break in Asbury Park, featuring members of 80s/90s greats Well of Souls, Dramarama, Sylvain Sylvain and David Johansen.

The show will also be a tribute to Dervishes co-founder and co-songwriter Bob Ardrey, who passed away last month after a long illness. Bob will be replaced by legendary John Eddie guitarist PK Lavengood.

“It has always been our intention to make the only full album, ‘Strange and Wonderful,’ available on all streaming platforms,” ​​said Don Dazzo, lead singer and songwriter of the Dervishes. “We also really wanted to make several previously unreleased tracks available. Basically, the equivalent of another album.”

The idea of ​​doing a live show to celebrate the release on July 13th was discussed.

“We have been aware of the health of bandleader, songwriter and guitarist Bob Ardrey for some time and knew he would not be performing,” Don continued. “After careful consideration, we have decided to hold the July 20 show at The Break in Asbury Park, with virtuoso guitarist PK Lavengood filling in for Bob. Now, following the news of Bob Ardrey’s passing, this release and performance is even more timely and important to honor his life and the highly original music he created.”

In 2018, Bob founded an indie label called Deko Music with Grammy-winning engineer Alan Douches, who mixed “Strange and Wonderful.”

All surviving dervishes continue to be creative, said Don, who often works as an event DJ.

“Musically most active is keyboardist Billy Siegel, who currently plays with the Cosmic Jerry Band and John Hathaway’s Neil Young tribute Decade,” said Don. “Lead guitarist Dan Paola is a masterful nature photographer and is writing and recording songs for an upcoming solo album. Drummer John Bryan is a vibrantly creative abstract painter and scratch golfer. Bassist Jerry Heer is manager of post-production services at Warner Brothers Discovery HBO.”

For more information about whirling dervishes, see Click here.