Billboard 200 Chart Moves: Graham Nash Nabs Highest Charting Solo Album Since 1974
On the latest Billboard 200 albums chart, Graham Nash returns to the list after a long absence, Bonnie Raitt rebounds, The Notorious B.I.G. gets goosed by Google and Marie Osmond's back on the chart.
On the most recent Billboard 200 albums chart (dated May 7), the late Prince ruled the chart with The Very Best of Prince, while seven more of the artist’s albums re-entered the chart following his death on April 21.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the week’s most popular albums based on their overall consumption. That overall unit figure combines pure album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the action on the latest Billboard 200 chart:
— Graham Nash, This Path Tonight – No. 93 — singer/songwriter Graham Nash debuts at No. 93 with This Path Tonight (7,000 units, nearly all from pure album sales in the week ending April 21, according to Nielsen Music) — his first studio album since 2002 and highest charting solo album since 1974’s No. 34-peaking Wild Tales. Further, the new set is his first charting effort in nearly 30 years. He was last on the list as a solo artist with Innocent Eyes, which spent seven weeks on the list (April 26-June 7, 1986). In addition to his solo work, he’s also charted hugely successful albums in collaboration with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young — in various combinations — including three No. 1s (Deja Vu, 4 Way Street and So Far).
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— Bonnie Raitt, Dig In Deep – No. 100 — Bonnie Raitt jumps back onto the Billboard 200 at No. 100 with Dig In Deep, following a profile on CBS News Sunday Morning (April 17). The set zooms back with 7,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending April 21 (up 75 percent) and 6,000 in pure albm sales (up 73 percent). Meanwhile, the set also returns to No. 1 on Blues Albums (2-1) for a fifth week in the lead. Raitt will support Dig In Deep on tour until at least November, with more than 50 dates scheduled.
— The Notorious B.I.G., Life After Death – No. 32 — The rapper’s second studio album vaults up the chart (162-32) with a 572 percent sales gain (to 12,000) thanks to the Google Play store discounting the album to 99 cents during the tracking week.
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— Marie Osmond, Music Is Medicine – No. 189 — The pop/country singer’s new album also starts at No. 10 on Top Country Albums (4,000 sold). It’s her first solo top 10 on the tally since 1974’s In My Little Corner of the World peaked at No. 10 (Aug. 24, 1974).
— Ace Frehley, Origins, Vol. 1 – No. 23 — The singer and guitarist collects his fourth top 40-charting album with the bow of Origins, Vol. 1 (16,000 units — nearly all from traditional album sales).