Raitt Still Rates

Bonnie Raitt held on to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard magazine pop album chart for the second straight week, leading the unprecedented onslaught of solo female singers in the Top Six. The only male in the Top Six is Michael Bolton, with his third-ranked “Soul Provider.” Joining Raitt, Jackson, Abdul and Myles in the elite circle is Sinead O’Connor with her “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” which rocketed to No. 6 in just two weeks. Easily the surprise hit of the year, the album is propelled by her hit single (No. 4) of the Prince composition, “Nothing Compares to U.”

* Next to Sinead O’Connor’s instant smash, the biggest pop-album chart surprise is the red-hot “Bell Biv Devoe,” by three members of the young soul-singing group, New Edition. Debuting last week at No. 70, it jumped to No. 30 this week.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks itle (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Nick of Time” 1 3 53 Bonnie Raitt (Capitol) 2. “Forever Your Girl” 2 1 91 Paula Abdul (Virgin) 3. “Soul Provider” 4 4 39 Michael Bolton (Columbia) 4. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 3 2 28 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 5. “Alannah Myles” 5 6 14 Alannah Myles (Atlantic) * “Poison” 70 ... 2 Bell Biv Devoe (MCA)