By Brian Rock
Americana maverick, Leon Majcen explores the perks and perils of a musician’s life on the road on his fourth album, Making A Livin’ (Not A Killin’). Majcen combines the sun-soaked romanticism of Jimmy Buffet with the wry, observational realism of Guy Clark as he wrestles with the emotional tug of war between his love for the road and his love for a good woman.
Majcen begins his journey with the lilting, fiddle and banjo melodies of, “Down the Road.” Anticipating a life of fame and glory, Majcen sings, “Down the road is the place to go, where the sun don’t hide when you’re feeling low. That’s enough to make a grown man cry.” The gentle rolling Piedmont Blues rhythms give an irresistible siren call to follow along. Majcen eagerly does so; singing, “I can count my best friends on just one hand. We’re going to climb into a van and hit the promised land. So buy a ticket and catch us on the road.”
Things start off great for Macjen as evidenced by the rousing honky tonker, “Making a Livin’ (Not a Killin’).” Barrelhouse piano and a driving rhythm section convey the unbridled joy of the first few shows on the road. Brimming with confidence, he declares, “I’m an old tune slinger, an old school singer, and always gonna be livin’ on the road.” “Tallahassee keeps the show rolling along with a surprising ragtime/Piedmont blues fusion complete with clarinet and tuba. Recounting the blur of cities and women that pass by on the road, he sings, “There was a girl in Tallahassee. She was looking right at me, but I was looking at the door.” No matter how good each stop is, the appeal of the next stop beckons. But unexpectedly, Majcen soon finds himself, “Thinking ‘Bout Love.” The harmonica-laced folk rock tune recalls the moment when, “You came into my life and made me aware that life’s about as stable as a rocking chair.” Blindsided by love, he tries to get his, “Feet on the Ground.” Singing, “I’d walk a thousand miles just to pay my dues. I’d walk a thousand more if I was walking with you;” Majcen declares his love for both his woman and his music. But in the end, he’s forced to confess, “I live my life when the sun goes down. From bar to bar and town to town.” Confronting the inevitable on the country ballad, “If That’s What it Takes,” he laments; “I sold half of my soul just to be there at your beck and call. You gave all of your love to my half-filled heart. Lord knows we were getting to the point it would all fall apart. So I’ll just settle for loving you from afar.” Hitting the road once again, he tells his ex, “Don’t Leave the Light On.” The melancholy Texas troubadour rhythms pull at your heartstrings as Majcen sings, “You deserve the world and more. But I must be leaving. The road is calling.” But Majcen finds the road less appealing on the other side of love. “Sleeping in a Car is Fun Until You Gotta Pee,” is a country/folk fusion that tries to make sense of his new situation.
Second guessing his decision, Majcen confesses, “Dreams came along and led me wrong. At least that’s what I see from the road I’m on.” Analyzing the cost of his career, he sees only, “Staying up late and waking up early. Next thing you know you just turned thirty.” The peppy Piedmont blues of, “Shot Myself in the Leg,” tries to put a positive spin on things. But ultimately he admits, “Hey, hey mama that’s the shape I’m in; gonna get high just to fall again.” Finally, he comes to his senses on the tender ballad, “I Have Found My Love Today.” In the tug of war between love and livelihood, love ultimately wins out. Singing, “There ain’t no reason why I would leave you back behind. You’re the only song left in my guitar,” Majcen uses musical metaphors to express his love. Summing up his experiences on the folk ballad, “Woman & Dog,” he sings, “I found God in all the times that I found out on my own. This world will pick you up just to put you right back in your place. At the end of the day a woman and dog are my own saving grace.” Realizing that no amount of fame could fill the hole in his heart, Majcen chooses love. His emotional journey to reach that epiphany is filled with poignant poetry and humorous honesty. Like Disney’s Tiana, his journey to get what he wants ultimately leads him to what he needs. Majcen’s clever word play and delightful melodies make the journey every bit as satisfying as the destination.
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Brian Rock
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