Carl Tosten
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Carl Tosten

| SELF | AFM

| SELF | AFM
Band Folk Acoustic

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"Carl Tosten’s “American Dream”"

Carl’s new album, American Dream, is a masterpiece.

As brilliant as his guitar playing has always been, it’s almost secondary to the power and emotion he pours into these lyrics and arrangements.

The first two songs, “One More Time” and “American Dream”, are biting social commentaries that recall the great Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn. Carl’s voice almost explodes with anger and sarcasm as he takes aim at the media whores, American job-outsourcing capitalists, and identity thieves who plague modern life.

He suddenly shifts the mood with “Pure Devoted Love”, a song with tender words but an upbeat rockin’ delivery. Fans of John Gorka will certainly like the insightful humor and reminiscence of “High School Pedigree”. You can’t help but feel the intense melancholy expressed in “A Blue Moon” and “After the Snow Flies”.

But for sheer songwriting power, look no further than the bitter “Like My Father”. It brings to mind the storytelling greatness of Bill Morrissey. This particular song develops a theme one can hear in his previous album “Tomorrow’s Perfect Plan”. Scathing bitterness and righteous indignation resolve into a personal hope to be “better than that”.

Celtic guitar and melody worthy of Al Petteway comprise the poignant “Summer’s End”. He gives us another blast of political commentary with “Just Another Day”...yes, just another day in paradise ruined by the vicious lying, smear tactics and war mongering by our so-called leaders. He had better be careful with stuff like this if he wants to keep his phone from being tapped!

The record ends in a surprisingly upbeat fashion with the aptly titled “Redemption”.

Of course I haven’t mentioned the fantastic job he does with harmony vocals, dobro, electric slide guitar, lead guitar, fretless bass and percussion. However, everything is in service to the songs themselves. The production is so clean that I wonder if he’s ever produced records for other artists.

I’ve never met Carl Tosten or seen him perform, but I have the greatest admiration for him. He is creating a body of recorded work that just might restore the term singer/songwriter/picker to the prestige that I’m sure we all feel it deserves.

— Dave King, Atlanta
September 2006

- acousticguitar.com players forum


"American Dream"

This is the fifth album from Seattle area guitarist and singer-songwriter Carl Tosten, A musician whose style defies easy classification. For most singer-songwriters, the lyrics are out front and the instrumentation is relegated to a supporting role. However, Tosten's superbly crafted lyrics share the spotlight with intricate and agressive guitar arrangements combining virtuosity with sensitivity and a social conscience.

"Modern Acoustic" may be the best label to apply here, since his technique includes percussion, tapping and open tunings. Long instrumental intros and breaks let Carl's guitar make musical statements that complement and frame the lyrics. This approach invites comparisons with the likes of Bruce Cockburn, David Wilcox and Ellis Paul.

The songs address a wide range of human experience -- Looking outward at politics and culture ("One More Time," "American Dream") and inward at love and coping with loss ("Pure Devoted Love," "Like My Father"). The impressive title track took 2nd place in the 2006 Woody Guthrie International Songwriting Competition. In addition to acoustic guitar, Tosten also covers harmony vocals, electric guitar, fretless bass, and percussion. The musical twists and the message of the lyrics in these songs remain interesting and grow in meaning over multiple listenings -- a mark of outstanding songcraft.

Tosten serves as a clinician for various companies, including Gibson, Tacoma Guitars and Dean Markley Strings. I had the opportunity to hear him perform at Northwest Guitars a while back. He is a dynamic and emotional performer with a finely tuned sound. If you are interested in modern acoustic guitar and songwriting, I suggest you check out Carl Tosten's website for local shows and CDs.
—Gene Zierler, Victory Review, January 2007)
- Victory Review


"An Evening with Carl Tosten"

Do House Concerts get any better than
this? I can't imagine they do. We found
that it is indeed true that Carl uses
every possible part of the guitar to
produce incredible percussion and
sounds. His exotic tunings and unique
finger styles were only matched by the
depth of his songs. One of those
evenings you never want to end.
-Nolan Pepperdine, Olalla House - Olalla House Concerts


"What people say...."

The Pacific Northwest holds one of today's great hidden talents. Carl Tosten is a guitar player's guitar player. His songwriting and singing skills are some of the best in the profession. He weaves a web of writing, singing, and playing that will captivate the most jaded of listeners.
Do yourself a favor. Look for Carl's live performances. You will see a unique style that takes vocal accompaniment to a whole new level. Carl's rhythmic, percussive guitar style must be seen to be fully appreciated. He is a truly gifted singer, writer, and player....
a must for anyone that wants to listen to music done right.
— Bill Gonder, Gibson Montana

"It's rare to see someone with such great talent and sincerity. An amazing guitarist and vocalist, we wish you every success - you deserve it."
— Tuck & Patti

"As a solo acoustic guitar suite, A Road Less Traveled is a timeless classic. I hear a thrilling blend of DeGrassi, McKeen, Parkening, Metheny, all somehow synthesized into what I would have to call the signature 'Tosten' style. Tomorrows Perfect Plan....I take away from the album warmth, intelligence, oblique humor, astute observation of human nature. "
— Dave King

In the world of guitar players there’s only one Carl Tosten. His playing and approach are truly unique and forward thinking. Carl makes the guitar a complete instrument; no part goes unused. His vocal style is the icing on the cake...
Mark Morse, “The Rockslide”

Carl Tosten is a monster guitar player and singer-songwriter whose songs have an honesty that leaves me feeling connected to something very real.
—Lou Hinkley, Daedalus Sound Systems

"Acoustic One-Man Band." (see website for article)
–Planet Media, Frankfurt Germany

"Acoustic Awakening" (see website for article)
– Tri-City Herald - fan-mail quotes


Discography

STEPS TO NOWHERE (2010) - 10 original tracks - solo guitar instrumental
AMERICAN DREAM (2006) - 12 tracks, original songs, vocals and multi-instrumental
TOMORROW'S PERFECT PLAN (2004) - 12 track CD, vocals & guitar
A ROAD LESS TRAVELED (2001) - 14 track CD, all acoustic guitar instrumental
THE KINDNESS OF A STRANGER (1999) - 10 track CD, instrumental guitar w/3 vocal tracks
SONGS OF CHRISTMAS (2005) - 10 acoustic guitar instrumentals
GUITAR MASTERS (2007) Bohemian Productions, compilation CD includes a track by Carl Tosten and also features guitarists Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Steve Morse, John Scofield, Pete Anderson and others.

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Bio

Contemporary folk. Modern acoustic. Singer/songwriter. Carl Tosten is a musician whose style defies easy classification. With his strong and soulful voice and an eclectic & expressive guitar technique that includes percussion, tapping, multiple open tunings and capos, Tosten has been called an “acoustic one-man band.”

From house concerts to concert halls, Carl’s dynamic vocals and rhythmic, percussive guitar style fill his performances with intense energy, stories and music — weaving a web of writing, singing and playing that captivates and inspires his audiences.

Victory Review writes: “Tosten’s superbly crafted lyrics share the spotlight with intricate and aggressive guitar arrangements combining virtuosity with sensitivity and a social conscience.” His songs and stories portray a raw truth that isn’t afraid to be heard; from looking outward at politics and culture, to looking inward at love and coping with loss. His lyrics and music reverberate with the human struggle to find meaning and to be understood.

As an artist representative and traveling clinician for several major manufacturers — including Gibson, Dean Markley and Behringer — Tosten has had the opportunity to perform and conduct guitar and songwriting workshops and product demonstrations throughout the US, in Canada and Europe.

A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Tosten is an award-winning songwriter who has invited comparisons with Bruce Cockburn, David Wilcox and Bill Morrissey. His instrumental work has been features on web, video, and on the recently released compilation CD Guitar Masters Vol. 1 from Bohemian Productions in NYC, which also features guitarists Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Steve Morse, John Scofield, Pete Anderson and others. Since 1999, Carl has independently released five CD’s of his original music and lyrics.