New CD Release:Walt Cronin & Martin Beal Gone So Long

         

        WALT CRONIN & MARTIN BEAL GONE SO LONG

Walt’s new CD: “ Gone So Long,” is Walt’s latest collaboration with friend and musician Martin Beal.“ Gone So Long,” is a batch of 12 songs that express a longing for all things past and hope for all things future. Written in Walt’s eclectic style covering Folk, Country and Americana with Rock overtones. Martin’s amazing array of musicality and arrangements combined with Walt’s lyrical strengths and songwriting skills have created a powerful and embracing album. As always, Walt’s lyrical phrasings evoke pictures and stories that stretch the imagination while grounding you in the human condition. His last CD: California I Gotta Run was listed in the top twenty country albums of 2010 by Any Major Dude With Half A Heart. It also peaked at # 2 on Roots / Americana Country Internet Airplay Chart in October of the same year. Released as an internet radio album, this new CD will be available on both terrestrial and internet medias. His first CD: “ The Gousters,” released in 2005 was a collaboration with Zander Schloss, an actor-musician who has also written with the late Joe Strummer and Scott Weiland. This was Walt’s late entry into the Los Angeles music scene at the tender age of 50. “The Gousters,” remained in the top 50 on Roots Music Report Folk Chart for 60 weeks. His diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress from his stint as a medic in the Vietnam war prevents Walt from performing but his lyrical style is described here by Brenda Barbee, Staff Reviewer of Roots Music Report. “But there is a great deal more to their music than just great sound. Listen closely to the lyrics, for they reveal extraordinary songwriting talent. Within those lyrics is a rich experiential content that could only be produced by one who has strong emotional ties to the theme.” Though a late runner in the songwriting styles he emulates such as Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Johnny Cash and Emmy Lou Harris to name only a few, Walt has strengthened his gifts immeasurably on this, his 4th release with the combined efforts of his friend, producer, arranger and musician Martin Beal of The Racket Room in Santa Ana, CA. Songs conveying strong components of our hopes staying alive in troubled times along with his unique glimpses into human emotions and a poignant song of a loved one lost inevitably in our singular paths in life. Perhaps these songs can be listened to in the key of insight.

Link To Hear All 12 Songs On SoundCloud

June 5th 2011 Starting Recording On 4th CD

I've been working on and practicing at least 12 new songs. Sometimes a new song gets written and added during the recording of the others.
I will be meeting with my friend Marty Beal tomorrow to start the recording of this as yet unnamed project.
I'm excited and feel anxious to get started on these new songs. It's amazing how attached you become to them and like your kids (though I never had any) you get to see them become (or not) something you never imagined.
Marty has the magical touch in taking these rough vocal guitar drafts and with his wizardry of production, arrangements and musicianship bring them to completion. This will be my 4th Cd and I never would have dreamed I would be immersed in my life at this point creating words and melodies and recording them.

New CD Release: Walt Cronin - California I Gotta Run June 2010

Walt Cronin’s release of California I Gotta Run, his third album, follows 2005’s The Gousters and 2008’s somewhat redundantly titled Walt Cronin – The Gousters. As with the previous records, California I Gotta Run features a spectrum of Americana/folk influences: Walt proudly emulates the tradition of his heroes such as Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, John Prine and Steve Earle. As an artist, Walt came into his own at the tender age of 50. A lifetime of experiences (including a stint as a medic during the Vietnam War and a subsequent semi-nomadic life) provide ample inspiration for subject matter in the numerous songs in his repertoire.
Walt spent over a year writing and crafting songs for California I Gotta Run before bringing them to his producer, Martin Beal of The Racket Room in Santa Ana, CA. Walt and Martin spent several months on and off in the studio fine tuning and enhancing the 13 songs. Walt’s goal was to reflect the sincerity of folk music history while placing the songs in a contemporary setting. The collaborators achieved their aims with Martin providing detailed arrangements and a fine editing ear while playing a myriad of instruments (guitars, keyboards, bass, mandolin, melodica, bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy, percussion, as well as performing all drum programming).
The songs on the new album deal with a range of very personal, introspective issues, some dark and troubled (relationships tainted by substance abuse), some benevolent and almost fatherly (respectful, heartfelt advice to today’s returning war veterans from someone who has been there), some whimsical (a 1950s-flavored teenage love story). Overall, the album is largely formed by the hope Walt has found by facing the persistent demons from his wartime experience.“Awake In A Dream” is an ethereal voyage of the mind and heart, soaring the listener into an almost transcendental state.
Walt’s long time love for his wife shows in other beautiful songs such as “Together We’ll Be,” and “Shining Through.” “Angel Wings” is inspired by his Grandfather’s philosophy of life. “A Boy Of Purest Wonder” is the story of a young man reaching for his dreams in a time long past. “California I Gotta Run” is about fulfilling a dream of rural simplicity. All the songs, whether whimsical, heartfelt or laced with grim regret, are woven with the care of Walt’s quality story-telling and songwriting and are beautifully arranged and produced with friend Martin Beal. Listeners will be entranced listening to Walt’s stories on California I Gotta Run.
“The success of my first CD, The Gousters, as an independent release was incredibly gratifying.” says Walt. Walt made all 13 songs on The Gousters available for free downloading on www.thegousters.com. It has remained a favorite on the independent folk radio circuit with songs such as “Make Me A Kinder Man” and “Only Eighteen”, a memoir of his time in Vietnam. The Gousters remained in the top 50 for 60 weeks on Roots Music Report.
Walt’s second album, Walt Cronin - The Gousters, garnered flattering reviews from Beeb Ashcroft of Indie-music.com and Sharon Lunsford of The Back Porch News. “Tender and introspective songs with the kind of realness and authenticity that is becoming quite rare.” said Ashcroft.
Walt’s third independent release shows a significant growth in Walt’s songwriting gifts. “ I think this is my best work yet, ” quotes Walt. “I hope you’ll feel the same,” he adds.


Hey Folks July 5, 2010

I wasn't sure when I would officially release my new CD called: "California I Gotta Run." It looks like the time kind of picked itself. (June 25, 2010) This is my 3rd CD release. The first being "The Gousters" in 2005, the 2nd "Walt Cronin - The Gousters," in 2008 and now "California I Gotta Run." (Folk, Americana, Alt-Country, Folk-Rock)

I have all the songs posted on Airplay Direct for all radio stations, labels and reviewers to review for consideration at:

http://airplaydirect.com/music/waltcronin/ ( songs , lyrics and notes )

The official name of the CD is Walt Cronin - California I Gotta Run. I hope youll consider taking some time to listen as I feel that the two years I've invested in this project have well been worth the effort. More information and photos will be posted on my website: www.thegousters.com in the coming days. Lots of past reviews can be found here as well. I certainly welcome any new reviews.

"Tender and introspective songs with a realness and authenticity that is becoming quite rare." Beeb Ashcroft Indie-Music.com

I'm excited about sharing this new work with you for possible airplay and hope you may be too. http://airplaydirect.com/radio ( free downloads for any radio stations ) Also for anyone to hear the songs. Free podcast below

Peace On Earth (It's not a seasonal thing)

Walt Cronin
www.thegousters.com

www.waltcronin.podomatic.com podcast of CD

Until You Come HOme

"Until You Come Home" compilation CD
Category: Music
I'm honored to be included on this compilation CD put together by George Mann. Here's the info:
Peace,
Walt Cronin

The new veterans compilation CD "Until You Come Home" is officially out! I'm really excited about this CD getting out and hoping it will bring comfort to the many soldiers and family members affected by these unjust wars that GEORGE BUSH started.

The website is up, the CD is available at CDBABY as well as on our online store, and there's info and audio from the artists sharing their work on this new project.

I heard about efforts to help veterans readjust to post-war life from the book "Voices of Vets" and a good friend, Dan Shea, who was part of that project. So I've gathered a bunch of songs from great people like Tom Paxton, Magpie, Holly Near, John Gorka, David Rovics, Utah Phillips, Jon Brooks and more to focus attention on the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through these songs, which talk of the damage done by war.

Here's a sneak peek:

Click on Website link:

http://www.untilyoucomehome.com

Click on CDBABY page:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mannmargolin


Here's a list of the songs and artists:


1. Streams of Gold (George Mann)

2. The Rift (Walt Cronin)

3. Writing in the Margins (John Gorka)

4. Michael (Magpie)

5. War Resister (Jon Brooks)

6. When Johnny Came Marching Home (David Rovics)

7. I Am Willing (Holly Near)

8. Welcome Back to the USA (Eric Schwartz)

9. Casualty of War (Rodney Brown)

10. The Unknown (Tom Paxton)

11. Give Me A Dream (Emily Nyman)

12. Yellow Ribbon (Utah Phillips)

13. Endless War (Julius Margolin)

14. Bandana Man (Arlon Bennett)

15. When the War is Won (Laurie MacAllister & Amy Speace)

16. Welcome Home (George Mann)

This is self-produced and self-funded. I hope people who can purchase copies will download the order form or order through CDBABY or our online store. We will be making bulk copies available low-cost to veterans groups and other good causes, so your support will also help me to do that. Check or money order ($15 each, $2 for $25, etc.) to:
George Mann, PO Box 697, New York, NY 10033.

Funding a project like this is not easy and I've never asked for help before. But I recognize that some might want to help and we have figured out a way to do this and recognize anyone who would help with special mention on the website. If anyone is willing to assist in the production costs, contact me privately at georgemann@att.net -- we will credit anyone donating $50 or more (tax deductible!) and send you 5 CDs!

Sept. 2009 Going into studio to record 12 new songs

Hi: This friday September 25 2009, I am going into the recording studio with my friend, producer and arranger Marty Beal to start recording 12 new songs. I'm excited because I think these are some of the best I've ever written. Hopefully, I can release my new CD officially before Christmas.

Walt Cronin

RECENT REVIEWS 2009

By Sharon Lunsford, Editor, The Back Porch News http://www.backporchnews.net

When you listen to Walt Cronin, don’t expect fancy language or complicated musical structure. Listen to the words, though, because simple words can carry a great impact. On his recent solo release, The Gousters, Walt sings of love, war and everyday things, and brings you into the experience. These are songs from the heart ­ the essence of true folk music. Of a war widow: “It’s the hurt that’s in us all, as we watch those young men fall….” (Flowers in Her Hand). Of a veteran’s life: ”…I was a soldier, led to the places that left me bereaved….Came home a stranger….” (The Rift). Of a homeless girl: “How can this be, in the land of the free….no one is listening…” (She’s On Her Own).

The Gousters derives its name from a term Walt and former co-musician Zander Schloss used to describe themselves, based on urban Chicago street slang. The CD is similar in style to one issued by Walt and Zander under the same name in 2005, but the two are not to be confused. As far as musical style, the instrumental accompaniment reminds me of a time when folk, rock and country were more closely related and were played interchangeably on pop radio. A little reminiscent of The Outlaws. There is even a touch of Celtic sound in “Ageless Dreams.” The album finishes up with a very sweet tribute to a loved one (You Are the Light).

You can listen to clips from the new CD on Folk Alley, MySpace or CD Baby. Spend a little time with Walt Cronin and his music. It will be time well spent.

REVIEW
By Beeb Ashcroft Indie-Music.com


Quote: "Tender and introspective songs with the kind of realness and authenticity that is becoming quite rare."


An engaging collection of folk rock tunes, Walt Cronin's The Gousters is a homespun and charming effort. Warm, earthy sounds envelope the listener as Cronin delivers work that is solidly written with a compelling sincerity. Many of these songs are about war, often sounding like the contemporary answer to the folk protest songs of 1960s artists like Pete Seeger.


Penned by Vietnam veteran Cronin in relation to his personal experiences, the themes of his music still resonate in today's world. "Flowers In Her Hand " is the story of a young war widow, while "The Rift" narrates Cronin's own inner struggles dealing with his experiences as a Navy Corpsman. Regardless of the listener's personal views, we all acknowledge the human sacrifice that war entails. While there are obviously political themes on here, for the most part these are intimate, personal recollections based on his own life.


The sweet, almost naive sensibilities of the music is juxtaposed to the stories Cronin tells about the aftermath of war; this sad contrast evokes a feeling of innocence lost. But Cronin's underlying optimism and hope is a thread throughout the album and this is ultimately a story of healing, and of love prevailing. And love does prevail: "You Are The Light" is a gentle, romantic ballad that ends the album on an uplifting note.


These are tender and introspective songs with the kind of realness and authenticity that is becoming quite rare. Cronin shows his craftsmanship for twangy, down-home rock on cuts such as "Like A Day Like Today" and "The Rift," my two favorite cuts from this record. Cronin has a lot of stories to tell, and I will look forward to hearing more of them in the future.


Indie-Music Profile


http://www.indie-music.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8396 link to review

New Review: Walt Cronin The Gousters May 09

By Beeb Ashcroft Indie-Music.com

Quote: "Tender and introspective songs with the kind of realness and authenticity that is becoming quite rare."

An engaging collection of folk rock tunes, Walt Cronin's The Gousters is a homespun and charming effort. Warm, earthy sounds envelope the listener as Cronin delivers work that is solidly written with a compelling sincerity. Many of these songs are about war, often sounding like the contemporary answer to the folk protest songs of 1960s artists like Pete Seeger.

Penned by Vietnam veteran Cronin in relation to his personal experiences, the themes of his music still resonate in today's world. "Flowers In Her Hand" is the story of a young war widow, while "The Rift" narrates Cronin's own inner struggles dealing with his experiences as a Navy Corpsman. Regardless of the listener's personal views, we all acknowledge the human sacrifice that war entails. While there are obviously political themes on here, for the most part these are intimate, personal recollections based on his own life.

The sweet, almost naive sensibilities of the music is juxtaposed to the stories Cronin tells about the aftermath of war; this sad contrast evokes a feeling of innocence lost. But Cronin's underlying optimism and hope is a thread throughout the album – and this is ultimately a story of healing, and of love prevailing. And love does prevail: "You Are The Light" is a gentle, romantic ballad that ends the album on an uplifting note.

These are tender and introspective songs with the kind of realness and authenticity that is becoming quite rare. Cronin shows his craftsmanship for twangy, down-home rock on cuts such as "Like A Day Like Today" and "The Rift," my two favorite cuts from this record. Cronin has a lot of stories to tell, and I will look forward to hearing more of them in the future.


Indie-Music Profile


Artist Website: http://www.thegousters.com
Hi Folks: This is Walt Cronin from The Gousters. I've forwarded one of our reviews from Indie-Music.com so that you may consider our new CD "Walt Cronin The Gousters" for airplay. Please feel free to request a complimentary copy for review or airplay. Thank you in advance for your consideration. This is the link for the above review.

http://www.indie-music.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8396

Best Wishes,
Walt Cronin
www.thegousters.com website
gousters@yahoo.com email
www.myspace.com/gousters 6 songs
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