December 06, 2007

Oprah Helps Josh Groban Top Albums Chart Again; Jordin Sparks Slips To No. 18

By Chris Harris (MTV.com)

Never underestimate the influence of Oprah Winfrey.

Two weeks ago, Grammy-nominated baritone Josh Groban appeared on Winfrey's afternoon talk show and performed a few numbers from his latest, the holiday-themed Noël - an album Oprah endorsed as "the one Christmas CD every family should have." And it seems every member of her audience listened, since one week later, sales of Groban's disc swelled by 81 percent (to close at 405,000 and change), finally landing the title atop Billboard's weekly albums sales chart.

Now, for a second straight week, Groban's Noël tops the chart again, only this time with much stronger sales: 538,800 to be exact. That's a sales increase of 33 percent from the previous week, meaning Oprah's seal of approval goes a long way. We'll have to wait until next year's presidential election to see just how far Oprah's sway reaches (Winfrey is supporting Senator Barack Obama's candidacy).

Aside from Groban's gains, album sales remained relatively strong for a second week, with the holiday shopping season now in full swing. Yet, just two new releases were able to crack the top 200, according to the latest SoundScan totals - and only one managed to make it into the top 50. Rapper Pitbull's latest, The Boatlift, enters the chart at No. 50 with sales reported at 22,200. Right behind him at No. 51 is the week's other newcomer, Mudvayne's fan-assisted compilation, By the People, for the People, which sold 21,700-plus during its first week in stores.

As for the rest of the top 10, right behind Groban on next week's chart, up three positions, is the Eagles' Long Road Out of Eden, with 312,900 copies snatched up; overall sales of the record are up 70 percent. Following at No. 3 is Alicia Keys' As I Am, selling another 257,400 copies, and at No. 4, with 126,600 sold, it's the 26th installment in the Now That's What I Call Music! compilation series.