Musicians on Album: The Wiggles - Anthony Field, Lachlan Gillespie, Simon Pryce, Emma Watkins, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt, Greg Pace, Various Artists - DZ Deathrays, Spacey Jane, San Cisco, Polish Club, Luca Brasi, Melbourne SKA Orchestra, Stella Donnelly, Emily Wurramara, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Custard, The Chats, Donny Benet, Dami Im
The Wiggles : ReWiggled Year Released : 2022 Produced by Anthony Field & Nick Webb Label: ABC Music Price Range: $60AUD Speed: 33 1/3RPM Album Before : Honestly, not sure with this one Album After : Hopefully more efforts like this release Further Listening : If you have children, all the other Wiggles songs LP : 2 x dual coloured LP (red/blue and yellow/purple) Mood for enjoying: Even though this is the Wiggles music or the band singing - I will be spinning this one when the kids are around (LP1) and for Night Kat Kiz and I (LP2) - giving something for everyone to enjoy Track Listing:
LP
Side A - Various Artists Cover The Wiggles
Hot Potato - DZ Deathrays - 1:15
D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur) - Spacey Jane - 2:13
H.O.L.I.D.A.Y - San Cisco - 3:25
Apples & Bananas - Polish Club - 2:04
The Shimmie Shake - Luca Brasi - 1:25
We're All Fruit Salad! - Melbourne SKA Orchestra - 4:18
Side B - Various Artists Cover The Wiggles
Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride - Stella Donnelly - 1:55
Dressing Up - Emily Wurramara - 2:40
Say the Dance, Do the Dance - Emma Donovan & The Putbacks - 2:46
Do the Propeller! - Custard - 2:02
Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?) - The Chats - 1:32
Sicily (I Want to Go) - Donny Benet - 2:38
Big Red Car - Dami Im - 2:21
Side C - The Wiggles Cover Various Artists
Elephant (Like A Version - Triple J) - Tame Impala - 3:22
Pub Feed - The Chats - 2:08
Brand New Key - Melanie - 2:32
Praise You - Fatboy Slim - 3:51
We're Going to Be Friends - The White Stripes - 2:25
Get on the Good Foot - James Brown - 3:48
Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys 2:33
Side D - The Wiggles Cover Various Artists
Thunderstruck - AC/DC - 6:31
Apple Crumble - Lime Cordiale and Idris Elba - 3:05
She's a Rainbow - The Rolling Stones - 4:14
Umbrella - Rihanna and Jay-Z - 3:42
Sunday Girl - Blondie - 3:15
The Wellerman - Nathan Evans - 3:06
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen - 5:48
What's in the Sleeve ? 2 x dual coloured LPs to represent the four colours of The Wiggles (red/blue and yellow/purple). Gatefold with information regarding songs covered by Various Artists
"Well, who's that in the garden eating all our red, red roses? (It's Dorothy!)" ~ D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur)-Side A
Welcome to Spin #36 - The Wiggles - ReWiggled
I know what you are thinking. Has Rylo gone mad!?! Well the short answer is no, I haven't. I was really intrigued when I first saw this project by The Wiggles and gave it the attention it deserves. Obviously, The Wiggles are the pinnacle of children's entertainment and aren't my usual style of music, being a 33 year old male (unless I'm bopping along with the kids). The Wiggles have struck gold here with 'ReWiggled' and I can't wait to drop the stylus on this one! The only issues I have with the pressing is the rough edge of the LPs and the labels not placed on record with care. It just seems like they rushed the product after so many delays but thankfully the sound is awesome. A very big shoutout to Ben at Waxx Lyrical for hooking us up with this wonderful record! Thank you
For this Spin, I have used our set up in the front sun room, so our children can play with their toys and jump around the room. Our setup consists of the Audio-technica AT-LP60XBT and the Marshall Woburn II speaker. Now it's time to sit back and relax and come along the journey on our #36 Spin!
Anthony Field, Simon Pryce, Emma Watkins, Lachlan Gillespie, Murray Cook and Jeff Fatt
Drop the Needle (of course means place the stylus nicely on your wax):
The Wiggles have been around for the last three decades and everyone around the world, whether they have children or not, seem to have heard of them in some capacity. I didn't realise what they were trying to achieve until I heard them win Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown with their cover of Tame Impala's, 'Elephant'. Putting together some of todays finest artists on a record to cover their own songs and tail ending the album with The Wiggles covering some of their favourites, seems to be a stroke of genius. A word of warning though if you find yourself staring at the album cover for too long as it may cause your eyes to trip out a little bit. 'ReWiggled' was purchased through the wonderful Record of the Month club that is Waxx Lyrical and highly recommend that you join up. Growing up I don't really remember listening to The Wiggles and because I had an older sister, I think I just missed a lot of that phase. My wife though had her younger siblings all listening to them so she was more familiar with the tracks on Side A and Side B.
Let's drop that stylus on the first track called, 'Hot Potato' which is covered by DZ Deathrays, who are a band out of Brisbane. 'Hot Potato' was originally released in 1994 by The Wiggles and I was reading along in the liner notes that they tried to convert the song into a punk style to suit their sound and I think they did a good job. This one was a very big dance hit in the Rylo household and it was like the children were given sugar with their reaction to the sound of 'Hot Potato'.
Second track on Side A is by Perth band Spacey Jane called 'D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur)'. This is another favourite with our children and It's so nice to see their little smiles and our daughter is clapping her hands like a little mad lady! It was particularly funny for our son who recognised the songs, but knew that it wasn't The Wiggles.
The relaxing sounds of Fremantle band, San Cisco come through next with their cover of 'H.O.L.I.D.A.Y'. You should see the mess that has been created in our front sun room because of the fun they have had. I have to pay attention because I could very easily tread on one of many toy landmines. 'H.O.L.I.D.A.Y' is one of the longer covers on this LP and really enjoyed it. Will look more into San Cisco now after hearing their style.
A song that I did know before listening to this album was 'Apples & Bananas'. Polish Club are also a band that I've liked what I've heard and I was excited to hear their cover of 'Apples & Bananas'. I remember hearing this song and singing it with our son when he was around the age of one or two. We would sing it during meal times and all end up laughing because it was such a ridiculous song to sing, "I like to ite, ite, ite, Ipples and Bininis".
The punk sounds of Luca Brasi's cover of 'The Shimmie Shake' start with the sound of drums. Hailing from St Helens in Tasmania and I've seen them play live at Download festival (obviously not this song) but I like the style they bring to this super quick version. At 1 minute 25 seconds, this track is over before you know it.
If you like SKA bands or big band feels, then you will enjoy the last song on Side A, 'We're All Fruit Salad!' by Melbourne SKA Orchestra. The MSO are a group of approximately 36 members and led by Nicky Bomba. You just hear how much fun and energy the MSO have on 'We're All Fruit Salad!' and reminded me of the sound of Californian band, Reel Big Fish. Time to flip LP 1 over and drop the stylus on Side B.
The soft sounds of Stella Donnelly's voice bring the start of Side B to our ears with 'Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride'. Her debut album, 'Beware of the Dogs' in 2019 is worth checking out if you enjoyed this cover of 'Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride'.
'Dressing Up' - Emily Wurramara is an artist that I had not heard prior to listening to ReWiggled. I like the bluesy sound and think the song choice really suit their style. The whistling at the midway mark was pleasant to listen to and gave us time to rest before the more energetic follow up song. I'm enjoying hearing these songs so far, even though it's Wiggles songs.
'Say the Dance, Do the Dance' starts with a big shout out to The Wiggles and celebrating 30 decades of entertaining children. This one is just a fun one and got us all up on our feet dancing around the room. No matter how silly it feels, It is important to show the kids to have fun and dance all our silly's out. Emma Donovan & The Putbacks really put everything into this cover and had a lot of fun by the sounds of it.
Do the Propeller! by Brisbane indie rock band formed in the '80s and often mistakenly referred to as Custaro. Pretty simple take on this Wiggles classic and the children seemed to dance around to this one, as it wasn't too different from the original. Towards the end of the song Custard are singing, "Statue, Statue, Statue, Propeller", which is making our son stop in his tracks and laugh.
Probably one of the funniest and finest bands currently doing the circuit comes up next with a cover of 'Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)'. Such energy and rawness throughout 'Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)'by punk rock band called The Chats. I originally heard their song, 'Smoko' back in 2018 and couldn't stop laughing. They have quite a few cracking albums to research and definitely worth adding to your collection.
'Sicily (I Want to Go)' by Sydney based Donny Benet is very reminiscent of The Wiggles themselves during this cover. If you get a chance, check out his 2020 album called 'Mr Experience'. Such a contrast in songs compared to the song before.
Coming second at Eurovision in 2016 whilst representing Australia, Dami Im has one of the sweetest and softest covers on this album. 'Big Red Car' is so nice and made me research her other work. One to add to our collection in the future will be her 2021 album called, 'My Reality'. Now it is time to swap the LPs over and place the stylus down on Side C.
Side C starts playing with The Wiggles now covering all types of songs. The first song is called 'Elephant' by Tame Impala, which was sung for Like A Version at Triple J radio. This statement might not sit well with a lot of you reading this, but I'm not really a Tame fan. Just haven't delved into their records but I do know this song. It ended up winning the Triple J hottest 100 competition in a massive shock to all who were listening. Well except for all the people that voted for it. There is Lachy (current purple Wiggle) leading us off on this song before the heavier voice of Simon (current red Wiggle) closes out the verse. I honestly think I enjoy this version better than the original. They then break out into fruit salad rendition medley halfway through the song before getting back into it.
It seems like The Chats and The Wiggles did a swap-a-roo and covered each other on this album. No other band can say the same thing and that is because 'Pub Feed' by The Chats is an absolute banger! A high energy number that is covered well by The Wiggles.
'Brand New Key' by Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk, better known as Melanie, is an American singer-songwriter. She released 'Brand New Key' in the '70s and Emma (yellow Wiggle) has a voice that suits the high pitched chorus on this one. I like the lyrics of, "I rode my bicycle past your window last night, I roller skated to your door at daylight"
What a huge song in 1998! 'Praise You' by Fatboy Slim was pretty much everywhere in the late '90s and early '00s. The Wiggles make it their own and even have some fun holding the notes for a really, really long time. Even Captain Feathersword gets a chance in the spotlight towards the end.
'We're Going to Be Friends' by The White Stripes is a song that I am familiar with and enjoy the original. This one has a nice sound and could easily be used for an advert where people are riding push bikes. I really like the album, 'White Blood Cells' from 2001 and if you get a chance, that album is worth checking out. Emma and Simon sing together on this track and the high and low contrast works well.
'Get on the Good Foot' by James Brown is a jamming track sung by Tsehay Hawkins (Current yellow Wiggle) and John Pearce from Justice Crew. I really enjoyed the soul/funk sound on this one and can imagine James Brown singing, "Heeeeey....watch me, watch me.....I got it".
The last track on Side C covered by The Wiggles is, 'Shipping Up To Boston' by Dropkick Murphys. This song reminds me of the 2006 movie that won Best Picture, The Departed and also because I am Boston Red Sox fan. It is a pump up song that is sung well by Captain Feathersword on this cover. Side C comes to an end and time now to lift the stylus and flip the LP over.
The soft sounds of this very different cover slowly comes through the speaker. That song isn't instantly recognisable until you hear the faster piano keys being played and the overlay of voices singing "Thunder". Yes, what album would it be without the cover of 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC. I like the different take and softer approach to this classic track.
The Wiggles have then covered a song called 'Apple Crumble' by Australian brothers Lime Cordiale and Idris Elba. Yes, that's right - Idris Elba collaborated with the band whilst he was in Australia filming the latest Thor movie. Such a strange collaboration but it resulted in some good music. The Wiggles have so much fun across this album and I'm struggling to pick my favourite side at the moment.
If you don't know the next song, then have a look at 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' album by The Rolling Stones in 1967. You'll know the song, 'She's a Rainbow' and a lot of The Wiggles get to showcase their talents across this track. I enjoy listening to the ascending key throughout the song as it makes it really happy sounding. An album that I will have to add to the collection as I don't have an awful lot of Stones albums.
Lachy and Tsehay do a nice job battling each other on this huge 2007 track 'Umbrella' by Rihanna and Jay-Z. You have Simon keeping the beat going with his "bom boma bom bom bom bom" going on. Our son laughed at this one and said, "Dad, bom bom bom bom".
The summer sounds of 'Sunday Girl' by Blondie comes through and for a moment I thought it sounded so similar to Regurgitator's 'Polyester Girl'. Classic song off a classic '70s album called Parallel Lines and another one I need to add to the R'n R with Rylo collection.
'The Wellerman' is a folk song that I wasn't familiar with before hearing this cover by The Wiggles and Captain Feathersword. Nathan Evans seems to have only recently came to fame and I will have to check his music out more after hearing this cover.
What a song to cover and end this record with! The mighty band Queen and their epic song, 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. I remember first hearing this one when my family lived in Indonesia in the '90s. My dad had the Queen greatest hits CD and my sister and I would play it constantly.
Another Spin down on our journey through the collection and we hope that you enjoyed our 36th Spin, 'ReWiggled' - The Wiggles. The children really enjoyed it this week and that is partly why we are doing this time capsule blog. If you have younglings running around, make sure you add this record to your collection. Thanks everyone for getting involved on our social pages for Vinyl Fridays and MWSP. I'll try and make the clues a bit easier in the coming weeks and we promise, episode 3 of the R'nR With Rylo podcast is coming! Next week's Spin #37 will have you all up and dancing around, so make sure that you come back and spin with us.
Until our next Spin, be Kind to people who like to wear coloured long-sleeved skivvies and be Kind to your Wax!
