Track of the Day: Gráinneog, 'Brian and the Books of Graham Greene'

'Brian and the Books of Graham Green' is a tender debut offering from Gráinneog.

Written by up-and-coming folk songwriter Gráinneog is a charming strings track detailing the life and story of a man called Brian.

Speaking on the single, Gráinneog  said:  "This song is about a very good, and very real, friend of mine who lives in Belfast, Brian. Brian used to be one of Ireland's leading pianists, but retired in January 2022 due to a terminal cancer diagnosis".

The musician continues saying: "This isn't Brian's first encounter face to face with death, as a little over 10 years ago, he had a very large tumour, and a lung, removed, which resulted in a fantastic and miraculous recovery".

Speaking with real love and admiration, Gráinneog explains: "Brian seems largely unbothered by his inescapable fate, and more focused on the things he has yet to experience, however, having lived such a full life over 60 years, there's not much that hasn't been experienced already.

"Brian seemingly has no fears, no worries, and not a care in the world. Yes, he is dying, but as he so quickly likes to remind everyone else, so are we all. The difference is that Brian will be happy as long as he gets to read every word ever written by Graham Greene, one of the leading British novelists of the 20th century (whose book titles make up a sizeable chunk of the lyrics of this song).

"As his clock ticks down, and everyone else flaps and panics, Brian sits at home reading peacefully, happy in the knowledge that he has finally managed to set his priorities in order".

The single itself is a beautiful testament of love, and almost preemptive grief - the musicians voice rings sincere, and will remind listeners of the best of Nick Drake.

Gráinneog's guitar playing intrepid , delicate and perfectly paced; this is offset with keys and interspersed honeyed violin playing.

Check out 'Brian and the Books of Graham Green' below: