Pop Album Chart : Torrent of Sales for Billy Joel’s ‘River’

Apparently Billy Joel’s “River of Dreams” album is no flash in the pan. It’s topped the pop chart for the third straight week--getting a boost from his Top 10 pop single, “The River of Dreams.” A fast fade following that No. 1 chart debut would have indicated that only his hard-core fans were buying it. But with so much interest in the single, it’s safe to say the audience for this album goes beyond Joel fanatics. Kris Kross’ “Da Bomb” could be a bomb. After a month on the chart it continues to drop--this time from No. 18 to No. 26. On the pop singles chart, Mariah Carey’s “Dream Lover” took over the top spot from UB40’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which had reigned for seven weeks. Also, Michael Jackson’s problems don’t seem to have affected his “Will You Be There” single--from the movie “Free Willy.” The single moved up a notch to No. 7.

* The year’s hot new R&B; singer is clearly Toni Braxton, whose debut album is on the rise, buoyed by a pop single--”Another Sad Love Song” (No. 21)--that seems headed for the Top 10. The album climbed four rungs to No. 24.

Source: Billboard/Soundscan

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”River of Dreams,” 1 1 3 Billy Joel 2.”Sleepless in Seattle,” 2 2 10 soundtrack 3.”Blind Melon,” 5 7 8 Blind Melon 4.”janet.,” 4 4 15 Janet Jackson 5.”Black Sunday,” 3 3 6 Cypress Hill 6.”Core,” 6 5 36 Stone Temple Pilots 7.”The Bodyguard,” 9 10 41 soundtrack 8.”Promises and Lies,” 8 8 5 UB40 9.”Get a Grip,” 11 9 19 Aerosmith 10.”Unplugged...and Seated,” 12 11 14 Rod Stewart * “Toni Braxton,” 28 33 7 Toni Braxton