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Pocket Lizard (Arr. by Pooey) by pooey [Email]
Genre: Classical

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 1785
Comments: 47
Votes: 16
Plays: 486
Last Played: Aug 31, 2008 - 03:27:46 PM
Downloads: 50
Fans: 11
Uploaded: Jul 02, 2006 - 11:11:30 PM
Last Updated: Jul 09, 2006 - 02:57:53 PM
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Keywords:
choir (27), choral (11), band (117), lizard (3)
Description:
So I took my favoritest Stun Nutz song (not to mention the most catchy tune on the entire site) and arranged it for my school choir and band.

At first it was a muse ("Guess what I want to do...") until the choir director said, so will that arrangement be ready for next Wednesday's class? From that point the idea became a reality.

It was a bit of trick: I had to arrange it in such a way that I could teach the song to the choir and record it all in 1 45-minute class. So I kept it simple. And the band arrangement was inspired by some Terry Riley stuff I had heard recently.

Admittedly, the piano is midi, extracted from a Finale file. So, yeah some compromises were made, but the end result is still pretty cool. For days we had 50 girls walking around the shcool singing "I've got a lizard in my pocket..." They are very excited to hear the final result.

Thanks Stun for allowing me to post!

The original can be found here

And DANG! it's been remixed by ElectroEstate. But has since mysteriously disappeared. Hmmm...

Lyrics:
I've got a lizard in my pocket.

Hardware:
eMac, iMac, mAudio Duo

Software:
GB
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hee hee &mdash 07/02/06 - 11:31:13 PM
awesome.

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omg &mdash 07/03/06 - 04:24:39 AM
it just doesn't get any better than that!

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Dumbfounded. &mdash 07/03/06 - 06:21:13 AM
This is truly amazing.
It really doesn't get better than this!
I wish it were longer though.

There was a High School teacher that arranged DJ Shadow for his class
last year. It was very amazing. I wish I had the link to share, but I bet you
could google it.

Stun, you are a STAR.

EE

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Dumbfounded. &mdash 07/03/06 - 06:22:26 AM
PS-

Can I take this and remix it with the original guys?


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Dumbfounded. &mdash 07/03/06 - 07:53:34 AM
Do cows moo?
Of couse...!!!

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Dumbfounded. &mdash 07/03/06 - 12:58:06 PM
I think that would be awesome, EE. And I know the girls would absolutely love a
remix. Thanks man!

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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Dumbfounded. &mdash 07/03/06 - 09:17:21 PM
Hey EE, I checked out the DJ Shadow thing. very cool. They put ALOT more time
into that than we did. Now I really feel inspired to do something else. What can
it be...

Can't wait to hear your remix of my remix of stun's mix.

Oh, and about that video, can you ever tell which kids mom had the video
camera.

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

[ Reply to This ]
Dumbfounded. &mdash 07/05/06 - 05:08:25 AM
http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2005/09/school-band-play-endtroducing-
with.html


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:) &mdash 07/03/06 - 06:30:55 AM
This is unexepected and inspirational.

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:) &mdash 07/03/06 - 12:59:52 PM
Thanks Mungo! Glad I can throw a curveball once in a while. An inspirational
curveball yet ;)

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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HOLY CRAP! &mdash 07/03/06 - 08:12:13 AM
This was an excerpt from the e-mail I sent to pooey last night:

I was eating ice cream with chocolate chips on it and I almost
choked on the chocolaty bits because I was stricken with
contortions of hysterics. For some reason, I couldn't look at the
computer screen. I had my eyes closed, head down in my hands...
Shaking with nervous glee and disbelief.

I can't believe what you did.

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HOLY CRAP! &mdash 07/03/06 - 08:16:32 AM
I still can't believe what you did.

It is always a thrill to collaborate and work with other musicians, but
when so many people are involved... and they are doing one of your silly
songs... it is mind boggling! You guys made my year.

Thanks to everyone involved!

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HOLY CRAP! &mdash 07/03/06 - 01:05:22 PM
Ha ha! Glad you enjoyed it Stun. The girls really enjoyed it too. For whatever
reason it even had the power to make two of my students cry. Happy tears I am
sure.

Now I am wondering how to arrange "The Despair of Youth" for our Fireside
Choir.

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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HOLY CRAP! &mdash 07/03/06 - 10:50:27 PM
No way! OK... I will admit I got a little choked up as well... on a couple
occaisions today while listening. I played it for my family (and my
parents when we visited them) and sent links to some friends. Everyone
is taken by surprise. There is a sort of heavenly quality to this when it is
done by the choir. Also, I love the backing music and the subtle layers
added here. Very cool. This reminds me of the Langley Schools Music
Project and what they did with some classic songs... you may have heard
of them.

Anyway, I hope this is the soundtrack that is playing when the movie to
my life story is almost over and I take that final journey through the
paisley tunnel... twirling toward the glowing white lizard in the clouds...
ha ha! See what you have done... got me thinking "deep thoughts" here.

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Cool Stuff &mdash 07/03/06 - 10:15:14 AM
This what it's all about.

Ed

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gulp! &mdash 07/03/06 - 10:26:21 AM
This is my vote for Remix of the Year! Freakin' hilarious. Fantastic.

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gulp! &mdash 07/03/06 - 01:07:20 PM
Woohoo! I'd love to win that award. I don't really fancy myself much of a
remixer. And to remix THE remixer. That's sumpin'! Thanks for listening Miss
Chaos!

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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Wow &mdash 07/03/06 - 12:20:40 PM
Amazing! Too cool.

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Oh my &mdash 07/03/06 - 12:43:47 PM
All those beautiful young voices singing about their portable lizards is
an ear soufl. Fantastic!

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Oh my &mdash 07/03/06 - 06:17:26 PM
Ha! Ear Souflé! Delightful. Thank you ;^)

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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cool &mdash 07/03/06 - 01:34:56 PM
great idea for this project. sounds like the kids had a blast too.

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Fresh &mdash 07/03/06 - 04:27:13 PM
I always like to hear fresh and new concepts. This song left me with
tingles up and down my spine. I love the story too.

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What a lot of fun &mdash 07/03/06 - 06:11:26 PM
Jim, this is stunning - the kids must be so pleased with what they've
produced (as you should too!). Inspirational in the truest sense of the
word! What a lot of fun music lessons must be for these lucky girls.
Neil

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What a lot of fun &mdash 07/03/06 - 06:19:30 PM
Thanks! The girls were very into it. I've recorded my band students on various
occasions, but this is a first for the choir. Yeah, I hope they are inspired to go
out and try something new. Thanks for your comments!

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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Left-Wing Commie Plot... &mdash 07/03/06 - 08:23:48 PM
to subvert our children? Good!

I got a nice giggle out of this, Pooey.

The next Board of Education meeting should be interesting. :-)

--- Joe



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Left-Wing Commie Plot... &mdash 07/03/06 - 09:14:07 PM
Heh, did I mention that I teach at an all-girls private Catholic high school run by
nuns? They're down wit it.

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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Left-Wing Commie Plot... &mdash 07/04/06 - 07:49:27 AM
Oy! Wait till they see the reflection of those lizards on dem black patent leather
shoes... Oh, My!!! :D


--- Joe




---
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22071">Lady-Killer</a>

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Totally &mdash 07/03/06 - 09:17:54 PM
Cool!

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awesome &mdash 07/04/06 - 08:55:30 AM
love it love it love it.
i wondered how faithful you would be at the end- great wrap-up.
the original has popped up at so many random moments- road trips,
parties, even intimate dinners..... i can't wait for my crew to hear this
version.

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awesome &mdash 07/04/06 - 09:33:03 AM
If I had more time (to arrange and to rehearse) I would have included more of
the Stunnizms that occur in the original song: transcribing all the pops and
clicks for either voice or instrument, but alas... At least we could have fun with
the ending.

Thanks for the comments!

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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You didn't &mdash 07/04/06 - 01:50:11 PM
YOU DID!!! - OMG - Oh, I'll bet it was tricky alright... I don't believe my ears - I'm laffn so hard! Again!!! - Does this mean that I need to erradicate my initial thoughts about this tune... - And the children sang, 'I gotta lizard in my pocket' Get outta here... I'm w/ Chaos on this on; you shall also recieve my vote for the best Macjam remix of the year - I won't share all of my thoughts about this and as well, dis would prolly be a good time for me to exit...

Yeah, just what I needed was to go another week trying to get this silly little jingle outta my head - And now I know that you need as much help as that Nutz character that you've been rubbing reptiles with - Geezzz

I just can't believe it *shaking head*... - Cyd

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Incredible &mdash 07/04/06 - 06:04:58 PM
Absolutely incredible. This could be a scene from a movie about an
early 20th century boarding school on the brink of failure. Mssrs.
Pooey and Nutz are hired as the new music department instructors,
replacing more credentialed and expensive instructors. Well, P & N
create this song for the difficult kids. The process is rehabilitative to
both students and instructors. The premiere performance of Pocket
Lizard is not only an instant hit, but a Mssr. Braine Transom, music
agent for Le Revolucion Ltd., pushes the song out to Victrolas
everywhere. With the happy profits from this one-hit wonder, the
boarding school climbs out of decay and debt and eventually evolves
into the premier 21st century music collaboratory - MacJams.

Don't ask me how I know this. It just came to me.

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Incredible &mdash 07/08/06 - 10:01:20 AM
I love it. However, being such a huge fan of Les Choriste (sp) or "The Chorus", I
wouldn't want to do anything that even tried to be as beautiful as that movie.
But we can dream...who would play me in the movie? I got this feeling it may
have to be Paul Giamatti. Or David Cross. Who would play Stun? Hmmm....That
could be a great topic for a forum thread.

Thanks for your comments Richard!

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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Incredible &mdash 07/14/06 - 09:56:43 PM
Exactly...that is the movie that immediately came to mind...The Chorus (Les Choriste, or whatever). A wonderful story that I heartily recommend. Not sure who would play who in this knock-off production.

---
http://www.schletty.com/song

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Ha! &mdash 07/05/06 - 03:11:47 AM
Very, very funny, clever, and strangely moving! Great work, and good on
you for getting your students to participate in this fun craziness!

Terry Riley?

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Ha! &mdash 07/05/06 - 12:27:27 PM
Thank you Clark, I was hoping you'd weigh in on this one. It IS somehow
strangely moving. Not sure why, though I did purposely choose rich
harmonic structures (errr, lets just say extra notes). And I suppose I could
have gotten the girls to sing more brightly or what not to have it be a little
more light. But the end result is fine and so I will go with it.

Terry Riley, minimalist; not sure which of his pieces I had heard, but it was
repetitive and articulate. Maybe like some Philip Glass stuff (maybe from
Koyaanisqatsi?). Anyways, I kept it simple and repetitive. I think it turned out
alright.

Thanks for your comments!

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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Ha! &mdash 07/05/06 - 01:40:31 PM
'Thank you Clark, I was hoping you'd weigh in on this one.'

I'm happy to do so! In fact, if you ever want a comment on a specific
submission, feel free to E-mail me. Some people already do that, and I don't
mind at all.

'It IS somehow strangely moving.'

Well, it's a funny thing... I've had your version of this tune in my head all day,
and I was trying to explain to my wife and 16-year old daughter why I
thought it was so neat/moving/funny/etc., and their blank, somewhat
alarmed looks indicated my explanation was not successful. I'll have to play
it for them.

I know who Terry Riley is, btw; I think they'd fire me if I didn't... I just wasn't
hearing it in this piece, but that's no big deal. His most famous (only famous)
composition is "In C," which is almost certainly something you have heard
along the way, and begins with steady pulsing C's on the piano, so that's
maybe what you were thinking about. We had an "In C Workshop" a few
months ago and it was a blast. That too was strangely moving -- I actually
felt myself tearing up a little. Who knows what that was all about.

Anyway, you could try an "In C" session sometime with your band kids. You
need about an hour of free time, one piano, and a whole bunch of people
with instruments of their own choice. It's remarkably easy to put together,
and, as I said, it was a very cool experience.

---
Visit <a style="color:blue;font-size:11px;" href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free MP3s and scores.

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Ha! &mdash 07/06/06 - 09:42:47 AM
Thanks Again Clark, I will definitely be taking you up on your offer, as I am
always trying to get a little more serious about composing and arranging. I did
take a composition course in university, with Robert LeMay (he was visiting for a
year), but we focused on serial composition. So, getting around the tonal stuff
(all those rules) is still tricky.

And I figured you must have known who Terry Riley is. I actually found a super
great piece by his son on iTunes. So chatting about him has been rewarding for
me! Thanks again Clark!

---
My Wife <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18379">Revealed</a>

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boarf &mdash 07/05/06 - 03:35:29 AM
boarf boarf boarf boarf boarf boarf

booooooooooooooooooooooooooarf

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

ok, now I want to hear the remixes, go on EE, beat it up!

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No need for lounge when there's another Lizard &mdash 07/06/06 - 03:22:25 PM
All these versions of 'Lizard'are great....an epic trilogy on a par with Star
Wars and The Godfather. Great stuff...great voices
Steve

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This is Fantastic! &mdash 07/08/06 - 08:19:30 AM
Wow what a tool... and a concept. Very catch kudos on the 45 minute
challenge.

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Wonderful &mdash 07/10/06 - 07:17:58 PM
Man, that really made me laugh. As did the first one!! i love it. A whole
lot. It is becoming a world wide thing now!

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strange &mdash 07/27/06 - 03:06:52 AM
strange for sure, but I love what u done hear. kinda funny i guess, but
also kinda sweet.

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wonderful &mdash 10/06/06 - 01:05:05 AM
way cool!

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The enunciation really makes it. &mdash 12/09/06 - 02:04:38 AM
Something about those clean and clear consonants just makes this all the more absurd and adorable. You all must have had the most awesome time making this.

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thoughts from the bull... &mdash 01/18/07 - 11:43:43 PM
i discovered this piece in the 2006 MacJams Retrospective collection. in fact, i discovered both versions from it!

it's all been said, but from a newcomers position, this was totally refreshing and a wonderful expansion of the original piece.

the light, fun, and humorous nature is rare these days and something i wish were in more abundance in our world.

a charming production and glad i got to check it out! thank you!

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Leave it to you... &mdash 04/29/08 - 02:51:11 PM
... to take an already demented piece of work and take it off in a totally new direction. Freakin' hilarious!

I bet you and your students have a lot of fun with stuff like this. Awesome stuff.



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