SPARE NO EXPENSE: The $10.98 tape is...

SPARE NO EXPENSE: The $10.98 tape is here to stay. In recent months George Michael, the Traveling Wilburys, Whitney Houston, Bell Biv Devoe and Jon Bon Jovi have put out $10.98 list-priced releases--and you can bet there’s more to come from major artists next year. (Meanwhile, Madonna’s “Immaculate” hits collection is going for a steep $13.98, despite the presence of only one new song!) . . . And we knew that Was (Not Was) co-leader Don Was has been producing plenty of top popsters--from Bob Dylan and Iggy Pop to Bonnie Raitt and Elton John. But now he’s really boxing the compass. Was has been in the studio with Paula Abdul, producing two songs (one written by the Was Bros. with Bob Dylan) while also finishing up a new Leonard Cohen album--and preparing a follow-up Bonnie Raitt project. Who’s next? We hear Was has signed on to produce the new Mick Jagger solo album.