Sunday & Statistics #6

Hello! Let me welcome you with a song:

This week's Top 10 solidifies existing trends: the US is still has a very comfortable lead over everyone else, while Greece sits comfortably in 2nd place. Two countries that had a slow start, but had a very dynamic presence since, occupy positions 3 & 4: Germany is #3 & Russia is #4. Ireland, another country whose presence has become more prominent, is at #5. France is at #6, Spain at #7 and there's a 3-way tie at #8 which completes the Top 10: Canada, Cyprus & the UK.

A couple of weeks ago we welcomed Montenegro in our circle of friends. This week it's the turn of two other former Yugoslav Republics, Macedonia and Croatia. Also gracing us with their presence this week are the following countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Italy, Mauritius, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam. It's great to have you all!

The all-time Top 10 proved to be an exciting watch this week. Not so much for positions 1 & 2, as US and Greece continue to maintain their respective leads. So far, the US has clocked up 2529 visits and Greece has managed 1144. It's further down that the competition heats up: Germany and Ireland have been fighting for 3d place all through the week. At one point, they were in a tie. Then Germany showed more stamina and secured the 3d place, while Ireland sits comfortably at #4. The UK, which has surprisingly winded down these last few weeks, manages to hold at #5, but is threatened by Canada at #6. Russia is at #7, but if it keeps on the current pace, will soon invade the Top 5. France solidified its position at #8 and Spain is quite comfortable at #9. Cyprus, which was temporarily out of the 10, makes a dynamic return to occupy #10, thus completing the trifecta of Mediterranean countries in the bottom end of the Top 10.

I wish you all a great week and a very happy month of May! I leave you with another song, this one by the amazing Katie Melua.

Matt Alber

Matt Alber was born in Whichita, KS (1975). He was raised and studied music in St. Louis, MO. He then moved to California, where he joined Chanticleer, a full-time male classical vocal ensemble. He left them in the mid 00s to go solo. His first album came out in 2005, but it was his next album, Hide Nothing, in 2008, that established him as a singer of note. An openly gay singer-songwriter and an icon for the bear community as well.

The leading single from the album, The End of the World, went viral. The song was Matt's last attempt to salvage his failing relationship.

Here it is:

The album also containes a song called Monarch. It's worth a listen:

His follow-up, Constant Crows (2011), mostly contained folk-flavoured music and torch songs. Here are 3 songs from this album.

The epic River:

Velvet Goldmine has the following lyrics:

I think I'd prefer if you didn't know anything special about me.

Yes, I think it's best, given my high propensity for making poetry

Out of every shooting star.

So, please, don't fall in love.

I'm not the boy you should be plucking off petals for,

Or telling secrets about.

Believe me, I really want to feel it.

This time, I really thought I could.

But just when I started to feel happy again,

That's when my heart went all to pieces my friend.

'Cause you never know what beauty you'll find

Down the Velvet Goldmine.

So, then let it snow.

Let there be tinsel all trimming the boulevard

And all those baggage claims.

I'll be at the movies. I'll have my own row at the Cinerama Dome

Handin' out miracles, givin' out angels wings

To every mother's child who knows:

Whenever you're starting to feel happy again,

That's when your heart goes all to pieces, my friend.

'Cause who ever knows what beauty you'll find

Down the Velvet Goldmine.

Maybe I'm starting to feel happy again,

Maybe these arms won't know how

To let go of him.

And are we the wise ones gathered

Confessing our fears,

Searching the stars within us

That others might hear?

There could be angels waiting to bring us the news

Of one little boy in love with the world left to choose.

Can we leave all this heartache behind

In the Velvet Goldmine?

This is a version featuring the Cello Street Quartet, recorded in 2012:

Finally, two versions of Tightrope:

This also features the Cello Street Quartet, in 2012:

And this is the Reddfield Remix, again in 2012:

His latest album came out in 2014 and is called Wind Sand Stars.

Handsome Man is found there. Here are some of the lyrics:

Hey handsome man,

What you do last night

Did you have a good time

Was the music alright?

Did you wear that jacket

With those deep blue jeans

I bet the boys went crazy

Bet you caused a scene

Cuz everyone smiles

When my handsome man walks by

..............................

Handsome man

Can I ask you this

I know we've both been loved

And we've both been kissed

But when the hounds are asleeping

And we're 93

Will you tell me

The story of you and me

The video: