A note to our reader: Some days, there’s just so much actual information to convey that there’s no time for needless hooey, silliness or other fiddle-faddle.
This is one of those days, so here goes (we’re sure you’re shocked):
R&B superstar Luther Vandross, still critically ill after suffering a major stroke, is very evidently on the minds of his many fans, as his Dance With My Father (J Records), released yesterday, is selling at a rapid clip.
The album should end up selling over 300k for the week, according to early reports from national accounts, and could go as high as 330k. A tribute to Vandross on Oprah airing Thursday could potentially push sales even higher.
J had shipped nearly 700k copies of Dance... prior to Tuesday, and shipped another 300k in reorders yesterday.
The album’s big start means it could quite possibly contend for #1 on next week’s chart, depending on how Metallica’s St. Anger (Elektra) holds up as it completes its first full week of sales. Some accounts are predicting that it will fall by 30%, which would put Vandross within striking distance, but at this point it’s still too early to tell.

I'll be picking this up out of respect for all Luther has given us if nothing else.

I am buying 2 one for me and one for my mom

Get well soon Luther!!!

I'm surprised that Radiohead wouldn't be number one next week. I hope Steely Dan and Annie Lennox end up doing well too. Metallica number one? Why???

jtgillia said:

It's number one this week, and it was released early, probably to the suprise of people that wanted it so I won't be shocked if it is number next week. I did buy the Luther album but I've only listened to half and while I enjoy, the only thing that sticks out a lot is his cover of "Lovely Day" (which is a very good song and Luther makes it better) and the first song "If I Don't Know Better" but I did only listen to half. I just wish the album had more Luther vocals and less backup (Cissy Houston must be getting paid for this one!). I didn't have any thoughts of this album going to number one but I hope it does. I also bought the Annie Lennox album and while I don't think it will be number 1 (nor care) I'm sure it will have a Top Ten entery, if for not other reason that album sales are so low. i just spent like $24 on to albums that are actually on the same record label (J Records, and BTW, was this a good move considering some people may have wanted to buy both but only got one?). Clive Davis is getting paid too. It's great to hear Luther is doing so much better. I just hope he'll be up and about to enjoy the success of this ablum. I wonder if that live album that the booklet has an ad for will still come out?