Just as in the U.S., Norah Jones’ “Feels Like Home” (Blue Note/Parlophone) has a massive first week to debut atop European Top 100 Albums. Its predecessor “Come Away With Me” also moves up 8-4 in its 94th chart week.
Jones’ new set amasses an awesome collection of No. 1 starts, including the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Austria and Portugal. Of Europe’s major music markets, only Spain doesn’t send Norah to the top, returning a No. 7 start for “Home.”
In Ireland, Jones has the top two to herself, as “Come Away With Me” moves back 5-2 there. That set improves 16-3 in Germany and 20-8 in France, and is enjoying a steep 19-3 comeback in Denmark.
Two other female artists have top-10 climbers on the pan-European chart. Joss Stone’s “The Soul Sessions” (Relentless/Virgin) is up 22-8, fueled by a No. 8 debut in Italy, where it’s on Capitol. It’s No. 6 in Stone’s native U.K. And LeAnn Rimes’ “The Best Of” (Curb/London) improves on its No. 11 overall entry last week with a two-spot climb to No. 9.
Scottish modern rockers Franz Ferdinand follow a No. 3 charting in the U.K. last month for the single “Take Me Out” (Domino) with a No. 3 British debut for their eponymous debut album. That’s good for a No. 14 entry to the aggregate chart.
There’s still no moving Black Eyed Peas’ “Shut Up” from the top of Eurochart Hot 100 Singles, where it starts an 11th week. The track is still No. 1 in Switzerland and No. 2 in Italy, France and Austria.
Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes, who as solo acts finished third and second respectively behind Michelle McManus on the pre-Christmas U.K. series of “Pop Idol,” combine as Sam and Mark to debut at No. 1 there and No. 7 overall with a cover of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” (19/RCA). It’s a double-sided single with the Clay Aiken-popularized “Measure of a Man.”
Irish pop veteran Ronan Keating makes a strong return to the U.K. singles chart at No. 2 with “She Believes (In Me)” (Polydor), good for a No. 8 showing on the pan-European chart. Britney Spears’ “Toxic” (Jive) takes a giant stride of 68-9 on the singles Eurochart, fuelled by No. 4 rankings in Germany, Italy and Denmark.
Finally, Robert Smith, leader of veteran English new wavers The Cure, is back on the European tallies. Smith provides guest vocals on Junior Jack’s single “Da Hype” (Blanco y Negro), which climbs 20-9 in Spain. Label interest is growing for the Cure’s latest studio work as the group prepares for a London club charity gig March 5 at the Barfly in aid of Childline and Shelter.
