Album Notes

Captivating lyrics delivered with Tosten’s emotionally charged voice - whining, pining to redemption - sums up Carl Tosten’s journeyman effort “American Dream.”

Contemporary folk. Singer-songwriter. New acoustic. No matter how you describe
Carl Tosten’s music, his songs and stories are yours. “American Dream” reverberates with the human struggle to find meaning and be understood.

Tosten dipped deep into his well of talent, tastefully layering instrumentation over his unique voice, creating moods and music that beggar genre; music for thirsty souls that find today’s musical landscape pockmarked with formula bands and songs that lack depth and meaning. Carl’s music hails to the times of Fogelberg and Browne, when good songs were enough.

Suffice to say “American Dream” turns the lights on and off, slaps your face, then tells you it will be alright - life is worth it - and how much the same we all are.

“American Dream” is a cd full of twists and turns but eventually straightens out,
leaving people feeling connected to something real – the sole aim of Washington’s
Carl Tosten.

Tosten is known for his masterful acoustic guitar fingerstyle compositions as well as his poetic, introspective lyrics. He has a passion for guitars that has made him an expert on the instrument and put him at the forefront of the acoustic music scene. He has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and in Europe playing concerts, coffee houses, corporate and private events, as well as opening for Tuck and Patti, Lila Downs, The Calfironia Guitar Trio and Grammy award winners Tingstad & Rumble. Along with having endorsements with several major music manufacturers, Tosten has toured the U.S. as a clinician for Gibson Guitars Acoustic division.

Carl's style is the culmination of years of eclectic listening. He grew up in Washington State and started playing guitar in 1974 at age 11. For years his playing centered around the electric guitar, performing with various groups in diverse styles ranging from country to rock to jazz. He began devoting himself to the acoustic guitar in 1994, and now creates masterful acoustic fingerstyle compositions which combine alternate tunings, multiple capos, percussive body slaps and right-hand tapping. He plays with an intense energy that amazes audiences and inspires fellow guitarists.

This new cd showcases Carl's diverse talent, playing all the instruments as well as singing the backing vocals. Carl recently performed at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival where his song "American Dream" won second in the 2006 songwriting competition.

He was also a finalist in the PDF. Foundations Music for
Life songwriting contest.

This cd was also in the Top Ten cd's at the D.I.Y. conference in Los Angeles

Finalist in the Founders Title and Bluegrass Festival 2007
songwriting contest



www.carltosten.com