“Philip Marlowe”
(Composed by Reynold D. Philipsek copyright 2005 and 2026 Zino-Rephi Music BMI)
Guitars- Reynold
Violin-Gary Schulte
Acoustic Bass- Mile Zeleny
Accordion- Patrick Harison
Recorded by John Ray Hammond
I have always loved the Raymond Chandler detective stories and, of course, Philip Marlowe is the star of those tales. I wrote this piece to reflect that interest. (Which means a 1940’s film noir atmosphere.)
I think the melody, harmony and form frame a true and balanced little tone poem.
Philip Marlowe (as a fiction character) holds more heft than just being the tough and stoic type as portrayed by Bogart or Mitchum.
Author Raymond Chandler had more going on than just that “surface” stuff.
Marlowe would never give in to “nihilism” though constantly confronted by it. He forged his own code of ethics in all sorts of morally bankrupt situations. Even Chandler called him “a knight in soiled armor”. A sort of worldly “guardian angel”. When you frame Marlowe’s character in that light the dialogue and urban geography take on a new substance.
There’s something about the harmonic changes on this one that I like. If I ever summon the ambition I would like to do a really fully orchestrated version of this piece that would underline the film noir aspect.
(I admire Gary and Patrick for their fearless improvs on these rather wayward changes on a first-take and Mike Zeleny does a nice job on the appropriately “long-toned” upright bass.)
Peace.
Be kind.
Love,
Reyn