Album Notes

“The Tacoma Songs” is a handcrafted album full of acoustic-based sonic gems. These aural nuggets were written with my Tacoma Roadking acoustic guitar, which I often use when fleshing out my ideas. The record captures the warmth and intimacy that surround those organic sessions. The vibe ranges from the directness of ‘70s singer/songwriters to Orbison-like ‘50s sock hop tunes, country-tinged clarity to headphone-craving sonic explorations. Several friends accompany me with the purity of the piano, the gentle strings of the viola, and the crispness of electric keyboards. Taken in parts or as a whole, the album is a testament to the candor of music written with one of the purest of instruments and provides greater accessibility and clarity to the lyricist/listener dichotomy.

"The Tacoma Songs" credits: Written and performed by Mark Doherty. Additional – and wonderful – players: Matt Engstrom; Jeremy Kauffman; Bryan Resendiz; Amber Hopkins; Brianna Sabatino; Eric Lax; and Roger Osthoff. Produced, recorded, engineered, and mixed by Matt Engstrom and Mark Doherty at Full Bright Life Studios, Wheaton, Illinois; Caffeinated Recordings, Chicago, Illinois (caffeinatedrecordings.com); and Reelsounds Recording Studio, Skokie, Illinois (reelsoundschicago.com), with the analog-inspired love and generosity of Thom “Fig” Fiegle and Mark “Mouse” Brunner. Mastered by Gary Yek at Electric Garyland Studios, Chicago, Illinois (garyyek@gmail.com). Layout and design by Mark Doherty with e.lax. Special thanks to Matt Engstrom for, well, everything. Additional thanks to my bride and children, from whom inspiration often comes easily. All songs written by Mark Doherty ©® 2007 Mark Doherty. All rights reserved. May your dreams be acoustically pleasing.