Death Spurs John Denver Album Sales

Proving once again the sad truth that there is no greater sales stimulant in pop music than the death of an artist, more than 100,000 copies of John Denver’s catalog of albums were sold in the week after the singer was killed in an Oct. 12 plane crash off the California coast.

SoundScan reported Wednesday that four of Denver’s albums were among the nation’s top 200 bestsellers last week and that 10 were among the top 75 sellers among country albums.

The most popular: “Best of John Denver,” which sold 23,000 copies last week after selling only 1,400 the previous week; and “Greatest Hits 1,” which sold 13,000 copies after selling 600 the previous week.

Meanwhile, LeAnn Rimes’ “You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs” reached the top of the albums sales chart for the third time, selling about 131,000 copies to move ahead of Janet Jackson’s “The Velvet Rope,” which dropped to No. 2 after one week at No. 1.

The nation’s best-selling single was Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997,” which sold more than 554,000 copies to push its four-week total to nearly 6 million.

What’s Hot

Here are some recent releases that are generating critical or commercial attention:

Bjork’s “Homogenic” (Elektra). In her third solo album, the Icelander delivers an enigmatic but resonant album that affirms her stature as one of pop music’s most uncompromising adventurers.

Bob Dylan’s “Time Out of Mind” (Columbia). Rock’s master songwriter has come up with what is arguably his most artful and convincing collection since the ‘70s.

Steve Earle’s “El Corazon” (E-Squared/Warner Bros.). The veteran country rocker delivers it straight--and with a twist--as he crafts spare songs from a palette of folk, country, blues and rock.

Green Day’s “Nimrod” (Reprise). The Bay Area trio barrels through its third album with its usual youthful spunk and lyrical low self-esteem, but the adolescent vim belies the mature songwriting that makes the album tick.

Janet Jackson’s “The Velvet Rope” (Virgin). As a musician, Michael’s little sister has never seemed more confident or ambitious than she does here.

LeAnn Rimes’ “You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs” (Curb). In her third album in 14 months, the 15-year-old phenom unleashes her powerful voice on a dozen inspirational songs.

The Rolling Stones’ “Bridges to Babylon” (Virgin). This ballad-heavy collection is bland enough in spirit and attitude to make you long for the good old days of gratuitous controversy and sexist swagger.

What’s New

Elvis Costello’s “Extreme Honey--The Very Best of the Warner Bros. Years” (Warner Bros.), Wynonna’s “The Other Side” (Curb/Universal).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: The Cure’s “Galore” (Elektra), Nydia Rojas’ “Florecer” (Arista Latin).