By Robert Henrey
The speaker at the May 21 meeting of the Retired Men’s Association was author Lawrence Schulman on “the Great Artists and Composers of 20th Century Classic American Popular Music.” Schulman is a native New Yorker from the Bronx who developed a lifelong passion for classic American popular music, an art form that gave rise to the “Great American Song Book.” A graduate of Stony Brook University and of the Sorbonne (University of Paris), he is a music producer and critic who lived in Paris from 1971 to 1997 where he taught, translated and worked with Radio France as a producer and host. He has a well-earned reputation for being a quick study and exceptionally diligent. These talents have contributed to his scholarly and encyclopedic knowledge of his area of expertise. He lives on Mount Desert Island in Maine. This presentation was based on his latest book, “FREE: Words on Music by a Hi-Def Critic in an MP3 World,” a collection of his essays and reviews. His next book will be a continuation of this theme entitled “UNFETTERED,” and will be published in 2026.
Schulman began by saying that it was his love of music together with a strong, youthful, romantic at tach ment t hat took h i m to Paris. His deep interest in classic American popular music began with his childhood passion for Judy Garland who he feels opened doors for him. This interest expanded to encompass various musical genres, guided by Duke Ellington’s idea that there are only two kinds of music, “good music” and “the other kind.” Good music, regardless of genre or era, has been the consistent focus of his extensive writings over decades. Schulman’s published works include a two-volume set on Judy Garland, “Garland: Beyond Entertainment” and “Reflections on Judy Garland.” His recent book, “FREE,” was published in May 2024 by Bear Manor Media and is a compilation of his non-Garland writings since 2000. He has also written a book dedicated to the work of the Australian singer Peter Allen. Much of his writing has appeared in the scholarly ARSC Journal.
Schulman mentioned that he consciously avoids terms like entertainment and fan, preferring to regard popular vocalists and composers as artists whose cultural contributions are as significant as those whose genre is classical or rock music. He believes these artists deserve respect, not mere adoration, and that great music transcends age barriers. He defined classic American popular music as being primarily from the 1930s to the mid-1960s, created by composers and performed by jazz and pop artists. The “Great American Song Book” features enduring songs by composers such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, and Cole Porter. However, he emphasized that he includes within his broad-based definition country music, the blues, and Broadway-Hollywood musicals. Schulman’s work also covers prominent film composers like Bernard Herrmann, Max Steiner, and Franz Waxman.
Schulman then presented engaging, high-quality video clips as examples of artists he admires. He began with Frank Sinatra who was known for his extensive career spanning genres and honed during the Big Band era. Schulman, initially somewhat skeptical, came around, after closer study, to appreciating Sinatra’s voice, timing, and sense of swing as truly astonishing. To make his point Schulman presented a great clip of “That’s Life” that was part of a 1966 TV special.
Schulman went on to talk about Peggy Lee, who started with Benny Goodman and amassed an astounding catalog. Schulman highlighted her unique, delicate yet swinging voice and her openness to recording new material, including co-writing with Paul McCartney. A performance of “When the World Was Young” from The Judy Garland Show (1963) was then shown.
The third artist selected was Maxine Sullivan, who influenced Peggy Lee and had a prolific career starting in the mid-1930s. Schulman noted that her voice improved with age, becoming richer, more mature, and more musical. She favored sticking to the melody, believing that less was better. She displayed perfect timing and self-assurance. A 1986 performance of Cole Porter’s “Just One of Those Things” was shown.
Schulman then focused on Tim Buckley who he described as a highly unusual 1960s singer songwriter who evolved through folk rock, jazz rock, and funk. Schulman, who heard him in concert in 1967 when he was student at Stony Brook, praised Buckley’s voice by calling it angelic in the intensity of its interiority. His best-known work, “Song to the Siren,” was cowritten with Larry Beckett, and performed solo on The Monkees, a 1968 TV show. Schulman called it spellbinding and proceeded to show a clip from the show.
The next selection featured Bernard Herrmann, the great film composer whose scores are the glue that enhances emotion and mood. His scores composed for Hitchcock films like Psycho and Vertigo are exceptional in their intensity. In Schulman’s opinion his romantic score for The Ghost and Mrs. Muir was particularly moving. He compared its grandeur to a Bruckner symphony. The opening credits of Vertigo with Herrmann’s score were shown.
Schulman went on to say that he wanted to include a representative of country music and had chosen Patsy Cline. He read from a review explaining his appreciation for her ability to sing pop tunes as well as country. He believes she would have achieved crossover success like Willie Nelson had she not died tragically in 1963. A 1962 TV performance of “She’s Got You” was presented as a clip.
The last artist selected by Schulman for comment was Peter Allen, an Australian singer-songwriter promoted by Judy Garland. Schulman’s recent discovery of Allen led him to believe that his music belongs in the pantheon of great American popular composers. He praised his hummable tunes. An article by Schulman on Allen won an ARSC Journal award and was expanded into a book. A 1989 performance of “See You in the Springtime” was shown. It was a song intended as a message of optimism in the midst of Allen’s AIDS diagnosis.
All those present expressed their enthusiasm for the excellence of the presentation with a hearty round of applause.
During the Q&A, Schulman stated his personal preference for Jerry Herman over Stephen Sondheim, finding that Sondheim’s music often lacked a memorable tune despite its strong lyrics. He also brief ly commented on Chet Baker, referring to him as a good singer within the classical American popular music genre. Schulman concluded by reiterating his view that classic American popular music is a significant art form, comparable to other world music traditions. He also advocated for high-definition audio over formats like MP3. His goal as a critic is to provide fresh perspectives and historical accuracy, illuminating music that offers both pleasure and meaning. He hoped his presentation might open ears and change minds about the genre’s importance.
The talk can be viewed by going to the RMA website at https://greenwichrma.org, and clicking on “Speakers.”
The RMA’s upcoming presentation will be a performance of the RMA Melody Men, in celebration of their 50th year. This public performance is scheduled for 11 AM on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. RMA presentations are held at Christ Church Greenwich, Parish Hall, 254 E. Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830.
The Melody Men of the Retired Men’s Association of Greenwich have been bringing smiles, laughs and joy-filled singing to Greenwich for 50 years and will celebrate their 50th anniversary year on June 4 at 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall of Christ Church. Everyone is invited for the hour long performance.
The group made its first public appearance at the RMA Thanksgiving luncheon in 1975, and has been the choral community outreach group of the RMA ever since. It currently schedules about 25 one hour performances each year, during the Spring and Fall seasons, to appreciative senior audiences throughout Fairfield and Westchester Counties. The program includes pop, country, folk, and Broadway show tunes.
Some of the venues are Greenwich Woods, River House, Hill House, The Mews, Nathaniel Witherell, Atria Senior Living in Rye Brook NY, Briarcliff Manor NY, Darien, Stamford, Woodlands – Ardsley NY, Broadview at Purchase NY, Edgehill and Waterstone – Stamford. The Melody Men have also sung the National Anthem at CitiField before two NY Mets games, and annually at the Greenwich Old Timers Dinner. They perform God Bless America annually at the Greenwich Town Party, and the 9/11 Memorial Service at Cos Cob Park.
Tom Healy is the current music director and Bob Morgan is the arranger/ piano accompanist, ably assisted by Tony Cocchi and Joe Mancinelli. Current performers are Michael Ambrosino, Charlie Adams, Jim Butler, Tony Cocchi, Don Conway, Jim Dean, Anders Ekernas, Bill Fakundiny, Mike Hayden, Tom Healy, Bill Howland, Peter Junius, Jeff Junker, Doug MacLaury, Joe Mancinelli, Bob Morgan, Bill McKiegan, Bob Phillips, Jerry Schwendeman, and Horst Tebbe.
To stream the presentation by The Melody Men at 11 AM on Wednesday, June 4, click on https://bit.ly/30IBj21. This presentation will also be available on local public access TV channels, Verizon FIOS channel 24 and Optimum (Cablevision) channel 79.
Note: The views expressed in these presentations are those of the speakers. They are not intended to represent the views of the RMA or its members.
RMA speaker presentations are presented as a community service at no cost to in-person or Zoom attendees, regardless of gender. Any member of the public who would like to receive a weekly email announcement of future speakers should send a request to members@greenwichrma.org. The RMA urges all eligible individuals to consider becoming a member of our great organization, and thereby enjoy all the available fellowship, volunteer, and community service opportunities which the RMA offers to its members. For further information, go to https://greenwichrma.org/, or contact info@greenwichrma.org.
