timjimlee

So in the absence of an Eminem release (so far) this week is shaping up as wide open in the Album chart, couldn't call it at the moment. Will be good to see 'In Winter' by Katie Melua continue to rise again this year, #161 on iTunes seems a bit low at this point but selling more as a physical.

30. Katie Melua - Fields of Gold (Official BBC Children In Need Single) Will be interesting to see how high this can go tonight, presumably there is a Live Performance on BBC at some point in the Evening. Last year's Single ('All We Needed' by Craig David was the lowest charting CIN Single for 20 years, at #42).

U2 have a new instant grat out today featuring Kendrick Lamar called "American Soul". I know U2 are far from being a Singles band any more but the lack of publicity for some of the songs they are releasing from the new album is surprising (Apart from the Single "You're The Best Thing About me" they have released a couple of other songs as well, "Get Out Of Your Own Way" and "The Blackout")

Well at least Yazoo have made the Top 100 although the boost is from the Boots Christmas Advert. 57. Yazoo - Only You Always seemed unfair to me that The Flying Pickets got to #1 with the song and Yazoo only made it to #2. Interestingly Selena Gomez covered it this year as well (on the Soundtrack of '13 Reasons Why')

George Michael takeover again: 05. Ladies & Gentlemen 08. Twenty Five (Remastered) 15. Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (Deluxe) 43. Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged 61. Twenty Five 68. Older 85. Faith (Remastered) 198. Symphonica (Deluxe Version) 995. Songs from the Last Century 1019. Patience (Bonus Track Version)

Now we have 4 Elton John Diamonds (Deluxe) 5 George Michael Ladies & Gentlemen 6 Elton John Diamonds 8 George Michael Twenty Five (Remastered) All containing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", four Albums in current Top 10 containing same song, got to be some sort of record.

Diamonds (Deluxe) up to 4 and Regular Edition up to 8 so I would say so. 04. Diamonds (Deluxe) 08. Diamonds 69. Love Songs 84. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (40th Anniversary Celebration) 98. One Night Only 215. The Lion King (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (With Tim Rice) 281. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (Deluxe Edition) 341. Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (Remastered) 380. Tumbleweed Connection (Remastered) [bonus Track Version] 471. Too Low For Zero 476. Madman Across the Water 730. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy 751. Blue Moves

A few more I would have thought, Sales in today's update (46k) are higher than Sam Smith's sales in last Saturday's update (35k) and his Album eventually got close to 100k.

Seems a bit odd that the latest Elvis (Christmas) compilation is not even in the Top 1500, may be it was made unavailable for a while in readiness for the Deluxe Edition Release on the 24th. Somehow it is still on course for a Top 100 placing this week though (presumably on CD sales and strong streaming) - held on last week (just) at #100.

Elbow soundtrack this year's John Lewis Christmas campaign with a new cover of The Beatles' 'Golden Slumbers'. Not sure when released though.

Sam Smith still number 1 is a bit of a Surprise given the prominent banner for 'reputation', likely to be overtaken any time soon I guess. Also surprising to see Shed Seven at #4, their first Studio Album in 16 years. Other new entries in Top 10 are by Artists that are not exactly prolific, Evanescence (#3), Tears For Fears (#7) and The Corrs (#8).

Second track on the Album, 'End Game', is reportedly a collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Future, could be the break-out hit she needs to propel the Album to sustained success?

Unlikely to be available on Spotify and Apple Music at time of release will dent Sales a little. On a positive note for Sales there are a couple of Special Edition CD Releases, suspect the die-hard fans will want both. Still can't see Sales exceeding 100k.

No chance for Little Mix to stay Top 5, Sam Smith, Taylor, Ball & Boe, Pink and several others will overtake before year end.

Tough call this year, went for Sam Smith but not overly confident, seems wide open

"Harry Styles at the BBC" TV Special last night.

1 Chris Brown - Heartbreak On A Full Moon Release too late in the week to trouble the Top 20 overall ?

Sales for Stereophonics Album are consistent with previous Album so far. After TV Special Ball & Boe Album still behind Stereophonics on iTunes but on Amazon sales have been given a massive boost (currently #1 for regular edition and #5 for deluxe edition). Pricing for the 2 editions seems a bit high though (£11 for regular and £15.16 for deluxe CDs) and some fans may wait a few weeks to purchase, hope so.

Gregory Porter's last Album opened last year in May with just over 19k, Stereophonics opened in 2015 with nearly 45k, I anticipate Stereophonics will keep a healthy advantage.

Not technically related to iTunes chart but I see Morrissey has ensured his Album is top of Amazon Best sellers with fans given the chance to access an exclusive 24 hour sale window for Tour tickets if they purchase his new album ‘Low In High School’ before midnight on Sunday. Album is not released until 17th November. Not sure I have seen this Release strategy before.

Hoping Stereophonics can get their seventh #1 Album overall this week. Ball & Boe Album may steal the top spot though especially as they have a TV special lined up on ITV on Sunday night. I am surprised to see the Gregory Porter Album above B&B on iTunes and Amazon so far and had really overlooked that one, it looks like it might debut at #3. If the top 3 are all new entries then it could spell the end of Ed Sheeran's run in Top 5 with George Michael and Pink likely to stay high.

Niall still showing ahead on my iTunes - also the fact his Album is £11.99 and Krept & Konan's Albums are £4.99 may influence first week's Sales.

Jessie Ware won't come close, last Album 'Tough Love' opened in Oct 2014 (at #9) with Sales of 10,684. Suspect the reissue from George Michael (and possibly The Smiths) will outperform her Album. Definitely an under-appreciated Artist.

Monday Night's Tribute Documentary on Channel 4 was very well received by fans. "Listen Without Prejudice" is getting a re-release on Friday, definitely think it will go Top 5.

Mint Royale has tweeted 'Easy number 1' for Pink, sounds promising based on early Sales figures but he has been known to get it wrong in the past.