by Andrew Miller
It was big news when Neil Diamond finally made the top of the US Charts two weeks ago. Now he jumps six places to get the New Zealand Albums penthouse suite as well. The Rick Rubin-produced Home Before Dark is his 21st charting album here and marks the fifth time at #1 (and first in over 30 years!) for the man who was top-selling albums artist of the 1970s. Previously Hot August Night and Beautiful Noise in 1976, Love At The Greek in 1977 and I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight in 1978 have given Diamond his New Zealand #1 albums. He joins Robbie Williams, Elton John, Pearl Jam, Michael Jackson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Bee Gees and Jack Johnson in 4th= place on the list of most #1 Albums here. The top three in order are U2, Pink Floyd and Rod Stewart.The Charting Dutchman
He's dominated our DVD chart with multiple entries, however Dutch violist Andre Leon Marie Nicolas Rieu has only ever had moderate album success here - until this week. In a single stroke the 100 Most Beautiful Melodies box set gives the 58-year-old his fifth charting album, his highest entry point and best peak position ever with the #5 entry of the collection this week. It also made #2 across the ditch earlier in the year. It's been over three years since his last albums entry, The Flying Dutchman (#35 2004), and just on seven since his debut here, La Vie Est Belle (#17 2001). Andre's due in Oz for a tour later in the year but no word on whether he'll make it this far.
And In Local News -
As NZ Music Month 2008 draws to a close Tiki Taane claims a #4 double and all-time high for solo debut album Past, Present, Future and Always On My Mind hit single. Meanwhile Australia succumbs to the charms of now Melbourne residents Shihad who claim a #11 debut on the Albums Chart and Flight Of The Conchords opens at #42. Here locals lay claim to a quarter of the spots on the Top40 Albums Chart. And it's happy 50th birthday to Neil Finn for the 27th...
The New Singles
#30 Mariah Carey - Bye Bye
Bye Bye is the way Mariah Carey says hello to her 38th hit here, the second lifted from current E=MC2 album (#29 this week). Mariah's the second most capped female behind Madonna with 53 chart appearances. She's also now shares the spot of 6th most successful singles artist, drawing level with Prince (Mariah's had seven #1s versus Prince's three). Only Elton John (56), Madonna as noted, Michael Jackson (45), Cliff Richard (40) and U2 (39) have more.
#33 Sam Sparro - Black And Gold
An Ocker by birth and raised in LA, newcomer 25-year-old Sam Sparro's music career is UK-launched. Black And Gold recently reached #2 there, and now it opens his NZ hit account at #33.
#40 Lifehouse - Broken
American band Lifehouse make it a Kiwi half dozen, anchoring out the Singles Chart at #40. They've still to better their 2001 31-week #6 Hanging By A Moment in the peak and longevity stakes.
The New Albums
#5 Andre Rieu - 100 Most Beautiful Melodies
See story above.
#19 Pete Murray - Summer At Eureka
Recent quick promo-visiting 39-year-old Queenslander Pete Murray lands his third straight #1 in his homeland this week. Over here that album, Summer At Eureka, makes it to #19 first week, bettering the #22 See The Sun. The first of his three charters here remains the highest placed. Feeler made #15 in 2004.
#22 3 Doors Down - 3 Doors Down
Following their Singles Chart entry last week with It's Not My Time, Mississippi quintet 3 Doors Down place their self-titled set in at #22 on the Albums survey. It's their third charting release here since their 2000 debut.
You can contact Andrew at: andrewmiller@radioscope.co.nz
The Official New Zealand Music Chart by The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand , Compiled by Media Sauce
"The Official New Zealand Top 40 premieres Friday nights at 8pm on C4"
29/05/08