Plenty has been written about Chagrin Falls over the years. But no one -- until now -- has told the story of the Village in song.
Those who have lived here will listen and savor the memories. For visitors to our town, this CD is a unique, upbeat, tuneful postcard souvenir.
Each number tells a specific story with the organization of the CD as a whole loosely following the seasons beginning with the waltz-time picture of the town's spring carnival and ending at the Triangle for the lighting of the Christmas greens and the Popcorn Ball Drop on New Year's Eve.
Here is a hummable, unforgettable musical tour of Chagrin Falls.
This feel-good purchase feels even better as proceeds from CD sales go to support the Chagrin Falls Historical Society.
(Attribution format for lyrics and music list the lyricist, Tom Luckay, first, followed by the composer, or co-composers, of the melody, thus: "Tom Luckay," "Marge Adler," or "Tom Luckay; and Marge Adler.")
1. If Chagrin Could Sing
Tom Luckay
If Chagrin Could Sing/River Town/Why I love Chagrin ...historical narrative in folk-song genre to salute Chagrin Falls, Ohio...
River Town
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
Why I Love Chagrin
Tom Luckay; Marge Adler
2. Blossom Time
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
...1890s-style waltz about the annual spring carnival...
3. The Bandstand Dance Medley
...musical tribute to the bandstand on Triangle Park, in big-band style with vocal harmonies a la the Modernaires and incorporating quotes from "In the Mood" and "Stompin' at the Savoy"...
"The Bandstand"
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
"In The Mood"
(Joe Garland) Shapiro Bernstein Pub ASCAP
"Stompin' at the Savoy"
Edgar Sampson, Chick Webb, Benny Goodman
4. Chagrin Valley Little Theatre
Luckay; Marge Adler
...a curtain-raiser that premiered at the the local community theater's first-annual "Audrey" Awards...
5. Squaw Rock
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
...boisterous Vaudeville duet about the carving of this sculpture (now part of the Emerald Necklace Metroparks System) and resulting public controversy...
6. A Hardware Kind of Guy
Luckay; Luckay and Marge Adler
...honoring the Shutts' family Chagrin Hardware Store, a Vaudeville solo with soft-shoe touches...
7. Sidewalk Sale
Tom Luckay; Marge Adler
...swing-era "stroll," radio jingle, Andrews Sisters style...
8. Nostalgia Town
Luckay
...bittersweet folk ballad about former shops in Chagrin starting with Taggart's Toys...
9. Fire Man: The Story of Ted Batchelor
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
...a dramatic reading and song about the town notable who lights himself on fire and jumps off the Falls...
10. The Great Geauga County Fair
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay, Marge Adler and Sousa
...to celebrate the annual local county fair, an original waltz and then a rousing song based on Sousa's "Washington Post"...
11. Pumpkin Roll Hill
Tom Luckay
...Beach Boys surf-rock theme song for the annual official clandestine slide down Grove Hill on stolen pumpkins...
12. The Tiger Pride March
Tom Luckay
...our new fight song proposed for Chagrin Falls High School...
13. River Town
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
14. The Popcorn Shop
Tom Luckay
...1940's radio style commercial jingle for the iconic shop in the center of town (premiered January 2016)...
15. The Lighting of the Greens
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
...a carol describing the day-after-Thanksgiving lighting of the Christmas trees that adorn the Triangle and downtown streets...
16. The Steeples on the Hillside
Tom Luckay; Marge Adler
...a hymn...
17. The Popcorn Ball Drop
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
...song and dramatic narration to celebrate New Year's Eve on the Triangle (premiered January 2016)...
18. River Town Reprise
Tom Luckay; Tom Luckay and Marge Adler
...a reprise and farewell melody to visitors and returning locals alike...