Pop Album Chart : ‘janet.’ Keeps Stewart From No. 1 Seat

Rod Stewart can’t be too happy with Janet Jackson. Here he is, enjoying incredible success as he approaches 50--on the upswing when his peers are on the decline--and he can’t reach No. 1 on the pop chart with “Unplugged . . . and Seated” because of Jackson’s album. It must be maddening to be so close--he’s been mired at No. 2 for weeks--yet so far. Soundtracks are doing strong business now with “Last Action Hero”--the music’s more popular than the movie--leading the way, with a No. 9 ranking. Tina Turner’s music from “What’s Love Got to Do With It” opened at No. 32, while “Jurassic Park” debuted at No. 38. One of the surprise successes of the year, 4 Non Blondes’ “Bigger, Better, Faster, More!,” moved up five more notches to No. 16.

* Natalie Cole’s second album, primarily devoted to romantic standards from the big-band era, is off to a good start, entering at No. 29. Unlike her last one, which was a smash hit, this doesn’t have the advantage of offering versions of many of her late father Nat Cole’s best songs. But she’s established an audience for this music, so this one should also be a sizable long-term hit among the over-40 set.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”janet.,” Janet Jackson 1 1 5 2.”Unplugged 2 2 4

SOURCE: Billboard / Soundscan