Pop Album Chart : Bolton Chases Off Garth Brooks

Michael Bolton finally toppled Garth Brooks, taking over the top spot of the pop album chart with his “Timeless” album, chasing Brooks’ “The Chase” to No. 2. Bolton is on top by only a few thousand units, however, and may slip out of the lead next week. The mini-Bolton sales boom is the result of his recent TV special. Even his last album, “Time, Love and Tenderness,” has been climbing the chart again in the last two weeks, resting at No. 28. The loyal fans of sultry Sade ran out and bought her first album of Brazilian-inflected pop songs in four years, “Love Deluxe,” boosting it to the No. 3 spot on the chart. Pop-metal hero Jon Bon Jovi opened big with his “Keep the Faith,” which entered the pop album chart at No. 5. The Heights’ “How Do You Talk to an Angel” is still the top pop single.

* AC/DC, one of the best live metal bands, is doing brisk business with its new live collections. The single CD, “Live,” is No. 15 while the two-CD set is No. 46.

Pop Album Chart

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “Timeless (The Classics),” Michael Bolton 2 6 6 2. “The Chase,” Garth Brooks 1 1 7 3. “Love Deluxe,” Sade 1 4. “Unplugged,” Eric Clapton 3 3 11 5. “Keep the Faith,” Jon Bon Jovi 1 6. “Some Gave All,” Billy Ray Cyrus 5 4 25 7. “Pure Country” (soundtrack), George Strait 7 9 8 8. “Automatic for the People,” R.E.M. 6 5 5 9. “Erotica,” Madonna 4 2 3 10. “Ten,” Pearl Jam 8 7 47 * “Live,” AC/DC 1

Source: Billboard/Soundscan