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
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WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert is presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
LoMotion Live Presents America at 250: A Celebration in Song to Benefit Elks Army of Hope
(PARSIPPANY, NJ) -- LoMotion Live invites the community to an inspiring evening of music, storytelling, and patriotism with America at 250: A Celebration in Song, a special benefit cabaret on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Elks Army of Hope, a charitable program dedicated to providing assistance to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families during times of need.
The Menzingers to Celebrate Album Release at Stone Pony on Friday
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Stone Pony presents The Menzingers' Album Release Show on Friday, July 17, 2026. The band will be celebrating the release of "Everything I Ever Saw". At this point, the Philadelphia punk legends are an absolute institution.
Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
bergenPAC presents Swingtime Big Band on Saturday
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- New York's high-powered Swingtime Big Band returns to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Saturday, July 18, 2026 to celebrate America250 by showcasing the popular music that kept Americans dancing for decades—from the Lindy and Fox Trot to the Cha Cha to the Twist! Showtime is 8:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.
FEATURED EVENTS
