Oprah Winfrey gives Josh Groban a big boost

Josh Groban’s holiday effort “Noel” had already spent six weeks on the U.S. pop album chart, but all it took was one afternoon on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to propel it to the top. Sales of “Noel” are up 81% over last week, to 405,000 copies.

Groban’s big week brings total sales of “Noel” above 1 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Billboard cites it as the first Christmas album to top the chart since Kenny G’s “Miracles” in 1994.

Last week’s No. 1 album, Alicia Keys’ “As I Am,” dropped to No. 2. In just two weeks, Keys’ third studio collection has topped the 1 million mark. Sales of the album declined 53% in its second week but still posted a respectable 349,000 copies.

The only newcomer in the Top 10 is the debut album from “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks. The album sold 119,000 copies -- the lowest first-week figure and chart debut position from an “Idol” champ.

Meanwhile, former “Idol” winner Carrie Underwood is No. 7 with “Carnival Ride,” which sold 141,000 copies.

Disney’s soundtrack to “High School Musical 2” shot back into the Top 10, landing at No. 6, with sales up 130% over the previous week, to 183,000 copies. With 2.3 million in total sales, it is 2007’s top-selling album. If it can hold onto its lead over Chris Daughtry’s “Daughtry” for another month, it would be the second year the “High School Musical” franchise has had the No. 1 album. “Daughtry” has sold 2.21 million in 2007.

Although Thanksgiving shoppers helped 11 albums on this week’s chart sell more than 100,000 copies each, overall sales significantly trail those of the same week one year ago. Sales are down about 18% compared with last year’s holiday.

todd.martens@latimes.com