When live he has a loop pedal that allows him to record a loop live and then sing/play over the top of the loop. Watch this YouTube video for an idea.
Aside from solo performance he is also well known for the many bands he has been involved with - most notably Totally Gourdgeous, Oxo Cubans and Bomba.
Lots of his songs are available free as MP3 on his Myspace and his website: http://www.malwebb.com/
"You're a freak" said Ani DiFranco of Mal (really!)
"He's like Bobby McFerrin, Aphex Twin and Cole Porter playing scrabble" - B.Freely
Djembe
Mal Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got to get a bicycle instead
'Cos to the local ladies
A bike is a Mercedes
And you cannot ride a djembe
Home to bed
There's too many bongos in the chai tent
To something big
When every second part
Seems to channel Mickey Hart
It's something I'm not stoned enough
To dig
Djembe x3 Bongo x3 Djembebongo x3
There's too many fiddlers
In the green room
Forever reeling incessantly obsessed
When Celtic is the flavour
They savour every quaver
But maybe "Drowsy Maggie" needs a rest
The lyrics to Mal Webb's song Djembe are an amusing commentary on the overabundance of certain instruments in different settings. The first verse suggests that in the village, too many people are playing djembes (a West African drum), and instead, one should invest in a bicycle which is held in higher regard by the local women. The second verse talks about the prevalence of bongos in chai tents and how some musicians may be tapping into something big with their playing, possibly referencing the influential Grateful Dead drummer, Mickey Hart. The chorus brings both instruments together, chanting 'Djembe, Bongo, Djembe Bongo' in a seemingly playful and repetitive manner.
The final verse shifts to talking about the abundance of fiddlers in the green room, likely referring to the backstage area of music venues. The obsession with Celtic music and the constant playing of reels is highlighted with the phrase 'Forever reeling incessantly obsessed.' The suggestion that 'Drowsy Maggie,' a traditional tune, needs a rest is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the repetition and overplaying of certain songs in actuality. Overall, the song is a commentary on the importance of diversity and balance in music, rather than an abundance of one particular instrument or style.
Line by Line Meaning
There's too many djembes in the village
There are too many people playing djembes in the village and it's becoming overwhelming.
You've got to get a bicycle instead
Rather than adding to the number of djembes in the village, it's better to get a bicycle instead.
'Cos to the local ladies
The local women prefer a man with a bicycle over someone playing a djembe.
A bike is a Mercedes
In the eyes of the local ladies, owning a bike is seen as a status symbol, like owning a Mercedes.
And you cannot ride a djembe
It's not possible to ride a djembe like you can a bicycle.
Home to bed
It's time to go home and rest after playing music all night.
There's too many bongos in the chai tent
The number of people playing bongos in the chai tent is excessive and overwhelming.
You know I think they're tapping in
It seems like the bongo players are tapping into something bigger than themselves.
To something big
The bongo players are channeling something larger than themselves and the music is transcendent.
When every second part
Every other part of the music has a bongo beat.
Seems to channel Mickey Hart
The bongo players are reminiscent of the style of Mickey Hart, a well-known percussionist.
It's something I'm not stoned enough
The transcendent quality and style of the bongo music is something that requires being under the influence of drugs to fully appreciate.
To dig
To understand or appreciate the true depth and complexity of the bongo music.
There's too many fiddlers
There are too many people playing the fiddle in the green room.
In the green room
The musicians are in a small space where they can hear each other play.
Forever reeling incessantly obsessed
The fiddle players are constantly playing and focused on their music, in a way that verges on being obsessive.
When Celtic is the flavour
When they are playing Celtic-style music.
They savour every quaver
The fiddle players are passionate about every note and play each one with care and attention to detail.
But maybe 'Drowsy Maggie' needs a rest
The song 'Drowsy Maggie' can be overplayed and maybe it's time to take a break from it.
Djembe x3 Bongo x3 Djembebongo x3
Repetition of the words djembe and bongo to create a rhythmic sound.
Contributed by Jayden C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.