Pop Album Chart : Monks Gaining on Bonnie Raitt

Who says being PI--politically incorrect--doesn’t pay? Tim McGraw has ridden the PI wave all the way to the Top 10. His album, “Not a Moment Too Soon,” bolted into the Top 10--No. 8--in just two weeks. What’s selling it is his controversial single, “Indian Outlaw,” which is in the pop Top 20. Native Americans, naturally, are infuriated by it but, once again, controversy sells records. Bonnie Raitt’s “Longing in Their Hearts” inched up a notch to the top of the chart. How long it stays up there is a function of the success of her single, “Love Sneakin’ Up on You,” which moved up just four places to No. 31. If it continues to climb--and help sell albums--”Longing” might hang on to the top spot for the next few weeks. Hammer may not be dead yet. His maligned “The Funky Headhunter,” which had been slipping down the chart, suddenly changed directions, jumped from No. 34 to No. 28. R. Kelly’s “Bump ‘n’ Grind” is still at the top of the pop singles chart.

* The year’s From-Out-Of-Nowhere award has to go to the Benedictine Monks of Santa Domingo de Silos for their album, “Chant,” which has risen to No. 13 in just three weeks. It’s doubtful that any other artist this year will top this rocket-like rise to fame. Three weeks ago, hardly anyone in the pop world had heard of this group, whose album is released by Angel Records--a classical label. Get set for a wave of chanting albums.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”Longing in Their Hearts,” Bonnie Raitt 2 ... 2 2.”The Sign,” Ace of Base 3 1 29 3.”Above the Rim,” soundtrack 4 ... 1 4.”August and Everything After,” Counting Crows 7 4 16 5.”12 Play,” R. Kelly 6 3 21 6.”Music Box,” Mariah Carey 9 5 31 7.”The Colour of My Love,” Celine Dion 10 8 21 8.”Not a Moment Too Soon,” Tim McGraw 19 ... 9.”Far Beyond Driven,” Pantera 1 ... 2 10.”Live at the Acropolis,” Yanni 5 11 5 *”Chant,” Benedictine Monks 32 47 3

1.”Longing in Their Hearts,” Bonnie Raitt 2.”The Sign,” Ace of Base 3.”Above the Rim,” soundtrack 4.”August and Everything After,” Counting Crows 5.”12 Play,” R. Kelly 6.”Music Box,” Mariah Carey 7.”The Colour of My Love,” Celine Dion 8.”Not a Moment Too Soon,” Tim McGraw 2 9.”Far Beyond Driven,” Pantera 10.”Live at the Acropolis,” Yanni *”Chant,” Benedictine Monks

Source: Billboard/SoundScan