I was picturing a python dropping from a tree onto its unsuspecting prey.  Turns out they only do that in old Tarzan movies.  But the song is still about that.  The first section is the hunt; the last section is the struggle of the prey.

Shato (Python)

This is meant to have sort of an American gospel sound.  The song is about a person who finds himself on the wrong road in life, and turns to friends for advice and guidance.   

©2014, CC clipart by Liz Aragon 

Rise Up And Come Away

Somewhere near here is a fabulous cherry red '64 Ford Ranchero, which I happened to see while I was writing the song.  It was around July 4, lots of car clubs touring the area, town parade fixing to happen ... it all fell into to this,

Ranchero

Combine an armadillo, an anteater, and a stegosaurus, and voila! -- there is the pangolin.  The clunky 9/8 rhythm represents this animal's odd gait -- it is almost bipedal, its front claws are too cumbersome for walking.

Haka (Pangolin)

Picture a big holiday breakfast with family & friends.

Chifumo

Alternating 12/8-13/8 meter, which isn't obvious till you tap it out.  Flute or sax would do the lead part.   

Catwalk

Bomp

The frumious bandersnatch is a fearsome and ferocious creature in Lewis Carroll's mythology.  Some say it is like a winged serpent; others see it as a huge plump badger, with a flattened shark face and a hyena's spots and tail.  Just beware.

Bandersnatch

There is a certain feeling you get when you know you are about to do something selfish that will hurt a friend ... yet you push yourself to do it anyway.

Suwa (Anguish)

In late May of 2019 a batch of young ravens decided the roof of my house would be the perfect playground for a game I call 'Pterodactyl'. There's a lot of squawking and hopping around, and some tapping on the vent pipes.  The preferred hour of play is 5:30 a.m.

Young Ravens on the Roof.MP3

I've been playing in a U.S. Zimbabwean-style marimba band since 2006, and started writing for marimba ensemble in 2011.  The tunes here are composed and played in a midi notation program, so they don't sound as organic as a real marimba band; I've done what I can to clean up the sound.  Enjoy! -- your comments & advice are welcome. 

Richard A Schneider