Pop Album Chart : ‘Bodyguard’ Manhandles ‘Predator’

Many of the fans who went to see the movie “The Bodyguard,” starring Whitney Houston, last weekend obviously liked the music. They bought the soundtrack, which is half Houston material, boosting it up a notch to the top of the chart, bumping Ice Cube’s “The Predator,” which entered at No. 1 last week. Houston’s ballad single is one of the fastest-rising in recent years and could wind up as the year’s top single. The big chart news, though, is the bang-up business that Christmas albums are doing. Three are in the Top 10 and four are in the Top 15. Amy Grant’s “Home for Christmas” sold the most last week, jumping from No. 14 to No. 6. The all-star “A Very Special Christmas 2” moved up eight notches to No. 9, while Garth Brooks’ Top 10-ranked “Beyond the Season” has been a bestseller for more than three months. The surprise, though, is Neil Diamond’s “Christmas Album,” which leaped from No. 41 to No. 14. That’s the biggest sales week he’s had for a new album in many years. John Tesh’s “A Romantic Christmas” entered at No. 86 and should do good business in the next few weeks. “25,” Harry Connick Jr.’s latest album of 1940s-style songs--both vocal pieces and instrumentals--premiered at No. 53 and should take a giant step up the chart next week.

* The Top 5 single “Rump Shaker” created a huge demand for this album by the Harlem rap duo. There was a buzz about the group in rap circles long before the album came out. That’s why “Hard and Smooth” entered at No. 21--an impressive debut for a new act.

Pop Album Chart

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “The Bodyguard,” soundtrack 2 ... 2 2. “Unplugged,” Eric Clapton 5 3 14 3. “The Predator,” Ice Cube 1 ... 2 4. “Timeless,” Michael Bolton 4 2 9 5. “The Chase,” Garth Brooks 3 1 10 6. “Home for Christmas,” Amy Grant 14 23 8 7. “Some Gave All,” Billy Ray Cyrus 6 4 28 8. “Breathless,” Kenny G 9 ... 2 9. “A Very Special Christmas 2,” various artists 18 33 5 10. “Beyond the Season,” Garth Brooks 10 11 14 * “Hard or Smooth,” Wreckx-N-Effect ... ... 1

Source: Billboard/Soundscan