By Bob Makin
originally published: 07/12/2024
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Strange and Wonderful," the title track of Whirling Dervishes' 1992 album, now available on all streaming platforms.
Westfield-based Whirling Dervishes are the only band to win the Makin Waves Band of the Year twice! They also were the first winner in 1989.
That’s why it’s so great to see them release their 1992 LP, “Strange and Wonderful,” to streaming platforms. The title track is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Strange and Wonderful” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on July 12 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
To celebrate the reissue of “Strange and Wonderful,” the Dervishes are doing a reunion concert on July 20 at The Break in Asbury Park with their longtime pals in Kanak, featuring members of fellow ‘80s/‘90s greats Well of Souls, Dramarama, Sylvain Sylvain and David Johansen.
The show also will be a celebration of the life of Dervishes co-founding guitarist/co-songwriter Bob Ardrey, who died last month after a long illness. Subbing for Bob will be legendary John Eddie guitarist PK Lavengood.
“It’s always been our intention to have the only full-length album, ‘Strange and Wonderful,’ available on all streaming platforms,” Dervishes lead singer-songwriter Don Dazzo said. “We also desperately wanted to make available several previously unreleased tracks. Basically, a whole other album’s worth.
The idea was tossed around of doing a live show to celebrate the July 13 release.
“Aware of band leader, songwriter, and guitarist Bob Ardrey’s health condition for quite some time, we knew he would not perform,” Don continued. “After much consideration, we decided to move forward with the July 20 show at The Break in Asbury Park with virtuoso guitarist PK Lavengood filling in for Bob. Now with the news of Bob Ardrey’s death, this release and performance is even more timely and important to celebrate his life and the highly original music that he created.”
In 2018, Bob had started an indie label, Deko Music, with Grammy-winning engineer Alan Douches, who mixed “Strange and Wonderful.”
All of the surviving Dervishes remain creative, said Don, who often works as an event DJ.
“The most musically active is keyboardist Billy Siegel, currently playing with Cosmic Jerry Band and John Hathaway’s Neil Young tribute, Decade,” Don said. “Lead guitarist Dan Paola is a master wildlife photographer and is writing and recording songs for an upcoming solo album. Drummer John Bryan is a vibrantly creative abstract painter and scratch golfer. Bass player Jerry Heer is manager of post-production services at Warner Brothers Discovery HBO.”
For more about Whirling Dervishes, click here.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
EVENT PREVIEWS
South Jersey Jazz Society's Concert on the Beach with the PJ Keiter Octet Set for June 5th
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- For the fifth year, the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS) will "unofficially" kick off the summer beach concerts on the William Morrow Beach in Somers Point with music by the PJ Keiter Octet on Friday, June 5, 2026.
The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of "musicforthemorningafter"
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 8:00pm. The New Jersey native celebrates the release of his debut album, which put him in the national spotlight.
Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band includes Matt Keating, Jason Mercer, Steve Mayone, and Greg Wieczorek. You could say they are a new band with old roots.
The Newton Theatre presents L.A. Guns on June 6th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- L.A. Guns comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band has been rocking for roughly 40 years since establishing themselves as the undisputed sleaze kings of the Sunset Strip, and, eventually, the world.
Jazz Royalty Comes to the Hamilton Stage on June 6th
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Saturday, June 6, 2026 marks the date when Jazz Royalty comes to Hamilton Stage with Dizzy Gillespie alumni and Grammy winning bassist John Lee in collaboration with 16-time Grammy winner Paquito D' Rivera.
The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Anderson Park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy an al fresco performance under the stars. Admission is free. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will host its annual fundraising event, "The Boss Bash," on Saturday, June 6, 2026, featuring two electrifying performances by The B-Street Band — the longest-running and most requested tribute to Bruce Springsteen in the country.
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.
Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.
Prudential Center presents Mexican superstar Carín León on June 7th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mexican superstar Carín León entered a bold new chapter of his acclaimed career with the release of Muda - his new studio album and one of the most eclectic of his catalog. See for yourself when he performs at the Prudential Center on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.
MORE EVENTS
Click on the listing to bring up its webpage
