Pop Album Chart : Chairman Shows He’s Still Got Power

Frank Sinatra, who’s nearing 80, blew by most of the whippersnappers on the pop chart, debuting at No. 2 with his “Duets” album. OK, so he didn’t attract all those record buyers by himself: the lure of Bono, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan et al had to help. But clearly the Chairman isn’t ready to retire to his rocking chair just yet. On the alternative front, Smashing Pumpkins’ “Siamese Dream”(No. 15) and the Cranberries’ “Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?” (No. 18) are doing strong business. Singer Kate Bush, never known as a major 1919247215ame, which premiered at No. 34. Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” is still the top pop single.

* “Shaq Diesel” is chugging up the chart, moving up five more notches to No. 25. NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal shows that he can’t rap quite as well as he can dunk, but he’s much better than many expected. Source: Billboard/Soundscan

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”Vs.,” Pearl Jam 1 1 3 2.”Duets,” ... ... 1 Frank Sinatra 3.”Bat Out of Hell II,” 2 3 8 Meat Loaf 4.”Songs of the Eagles,” 3 6 4 various artists 5.”Music Box,” 5 7 10 5 Mariah Carey 6. “janet.,” 8 10 25 Janet Jackson 7. “River of Dreams,” 6 8 13 Billy Joel 8.”It’s On (Dr. Dre) 7 5 3 187um Killa,” Eazy-E 9.”Get In Where Ya 9 4 2 Ya Fit In,” Too Short 10.”Toni Braxton,” 12 12 17 Toni Braxton *”Shaq Diesel,” 30 ... 2 Shaquille O’Neal