Bryan Glancy was a friend whose life was sadly cut short several years ago.You may not know him or his music, but chances are you will have been touched by his influence at some point in the last couple of years. Have you heard of 'The Seldom Seen Kid'? That was Bryan.
I could spend all night writing about how great Bryan is but when your brother is a poet things like that are better left to him. Also, when Guy Garvey pens a piece like 'Friend of Ours' about him then my words are quite inadequate.
Bryan's exits never had goodbyes. He'd simply pull you close, hug you with a shoulder and say 'Love ya mate'. Because of this chances are his final words to most people who miss him we 'Love ya mate'.
As a friend of his it's hard to know what impact this song has on people who didn't know him. Is it just another great song on a brilliant album? Or do they get a similar sense of sadness? Does Guy manage to bring the audience close enough with his few, well chosen words? For me, it moves me to tears every time, and such is the beauty of the arrangement I'd imagine it hard not to shed a tear even if Bryan had never walked into my life.
Today, April 19th, has been declared Bryan Glancy day. All his friends will gather after work in The Castle on Oldam Street and drink to his memory. So, of the small handful songs that make me sad, it only felt appropriate that Day 4 belongs not just to Bryan but to Elbow for helping keep his memory alive. Love ya mate.
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