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
Turtle
Mal Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I try to be everywhere with every answer, every day
But I'm spreading out so thin, my smile's caving in
Until I'm slightly less than nothing to myself
It's not a race you can win
Go for a place within your skin
Horizons get closer the lower you get
Well, the moon is in her ball gown and we're waltzing into space
And the band'll still be playing when we finish up the race
Gonna take the longest road to the furthest place
Gonna take the lightest load at the slowest pace
My turtle taught us how we oughta steer
So maybe when we get there we're gonna be right here
We'll be right here
The roses need a sniff, the dog could use a pat
It isn't that much, but it's making a start
And I won't panic if I hang for a chat
I only want to march to the beat of my heart
I'm dizzy, I must have been chasing my tail
Too busy to notice my bread going stale
Well, I haven't got a long face and I'll say it 'til I'm hoarse
But get these blinkers off and I'll probably find I'm way off course
In this song, Mal Webb sings about the pressures of trying to be everything to everyone and how it can take a toll on one's well-being. He acknowledges that he has been spreading himself too thin, always trying to be there for everyone, but in doing so, he has become less than nothing to himself. Mal Webb suggests that the key to happiness and success is not in trying to win a race or please others, but rather in finding contentment within one's own skin. He encourages listeners to take the longest road to the furthest place, to travel at the slowest pace, and to follow the example of his turtle, who taught him how to steer.
The metaphor of the turtle in this song represents the idea that sometimes, the slow and steady path is the best one to take. Instead of rushing through life, trying to please everyone, and burning out in the process, it's important to slow down, take care of ourselves, and focus on the things that matter most to us, whether it's smelling the roses, giving a dog a pat, or simply marching to the beat of our own heart. By doing so, we can find contentment and happiness in the journey, rather than just focusing on reaching the destination.
Line by Line Meaning
I try to be everything to everyone in every way
I attempt to please and satisfy every single person in every possible aspect of their lives
I try to be everywhere with every answer, every day
I make an effort to be present in every place, even remotely associated with people, and provide useful solutions always
But I'm spreading out so thin, my smile's caving in
However, this strategy is leading me to wear myself out by doing so many things that even my happiness is beginning to fail
Until I'm slightly less than nothing to myself
Eventually, I become a person with no personality or identity because I lose sight of who I am
It's not a race you can win
It's not a competition where someone can come first and win a prize
Go for a place within your skin
Find a place inside yourself, where you are content and comfortable with who you are
Horizons get closer the lower you get
As you lower yourself to the ground, the horizon appears to come closer to you
They're rising if only to help the sun set
This perspective shift makes it seem like the horizon is rising to assist the sun set
Well, the moon is in her ball gown and we're waltzing into space
Currently, the moon is dressed up and moving gracefully into space as if dancing a waltz
And the band'll still be playing when we finish up the race
The music will carry on playing despite the end of any competition
Gonna take the longest road to the furthest place
I'm planning on selecting the most extended path that exists to the farthest location
Gonna take the lightest load at the slowest pace
I will carry the lightest luggage and walk at the slowest rate possible
My turtle taught us how we oughta steer
A turtle that was with me shared the knowledge of how to guide and direct our journey effectively
So maybe when we get there we're gonna be right here
When we arrive, there is a possibility that we will genuinely experience the destination, stay in the present and act accordingly
We'll be right here
Our focus will remain in the current moment
The roses need a sniff, the dog could use a pat
It wouldn't hurt to take a few moments and interact with your environment like smelling the roses, and petting a dog
It isn't that much, but it's making a start
While it's not a significant action, it's still a beginning towards a change in behaviour
And I won't panic if I hang for a chat
I won't be in a state of alarm if I talk and spend time with someone
I only want to march to the beat of my heart
All I desire is to live according to my conscience and inner personality
I'm dizzy, I must have been chasing my tail
I feel confused and disorientated since I've been entirely focused on obtaining things for myself
Too busy to notice my bread going stale
I've been preoccupied with work, having missed the chance to attend to urgent things
Well, I haven't got a long face and I'll say it 'til I'm hoarse
I haven't got a long face, and I'll continue to speak my mind even if it takes a toll on me
But get these blinkers off and I'll probably find I'm way off course
However, If I remove myself from this tunnel vision, I'll most likely discover that I've made a mistake in judgement
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.