Wiggles Wiggly, Wiggly, World CD

While all Wiggles albums share common elements -- tons of verve, infectious singalong melodies, the power to create pictures in young minds -- Wiggly, Wiggly World! finds the Australian kids music kings at the top of their game. A combination of sprightly originals and adaptations (co-presented by the original artists), this album skips along at a peppy pace. There's some great variety here, but it all gets the Wiggles treatment, making the disc as seamless and coherent as the foursome's more thematic albums. Kids with any affection for the Wiggles' music -- and that's a big club! -- will be enthralled by Wiggly, Wiggly World! from start to finish. It's ultra bubbly, mucho catchy, and, yes, educational. Not to mention ethnically diverse. Australian country legend Slim Dusty chips in with his hearty hit "(I Love to Have a Beer With) Duncan," which here becomes "I Love to Have a Dance With Dorothy." Meanwhile, Torres Strait Islander Christine Anu sings the traditional song "Taba Naba" and former Split Enz frontman, New Zealander Tim Finn, gets Captain Feathersword quite excited with his pop hit "Six Months in a Leaky Boat." For some fair dinkum Aussie fun, Rolf Harris breaks out his famous wobble board for his Down Under classic "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport," while Japanese singer Atsuko Arai presents the beautiful "Haru Ga Kita." And of course the boys in the bright-colored skivvies bring plenty of their own songs to the party. It's a kiddie disco with irresistible numbers like "In the Wiggles' World," "In the Big Red Car We Like to Ride," and the hilarious "Blow Me Down." Highly recommended for ages one to 100. [Lyrics included.] ~ Adrian Zupp