• Fargo, N.D. (5/2), tickets on sale 4/6 at 10 a.m. CT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Ames, Iowa (5/4), on sale 4/6 at 10 a.m. CT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Lincoln, Neb. (5/5), on sale 4/6 at 10 a.m.  CT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Colorado Springs, Colo, (5/8), on sale 4/6 at 10 a.m. MT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Albuquerque, NM (5/10), on sale 4/6 at 10 a.m. MT (Ticketmaster)
  
  

Read about the tour.

• Marysville, Calif. (5/10), tickets on sale 4/6 at 10 a.m. PT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Phoenix, Ariz. (5/19), on sale 4/6 at noon MT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Minneapolis, Minn. (5/23), on sale 4/6 at 11 a.m. CT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Tinley Park, Ill. (5/24), on sale 4/5 at noon CT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Milwaukee, Wis. (5/27), on sale 4/5 at 10 a.m. CT (Ticketmaster)
  
  
• Antioch, Tenn. (5/30), on sale 4/5 at 5 p.m. CT (Ticketmaster)
  
  

SoundSpike’s weekly “Ticket Window” feature is published each Thursday evening.

Tuesday, April 02, 2002

In Brief: Third Eye Blind, the Grammys

Also: More news on Marilyn Manson, Kelly Osbourne and the “Undercover Brother” soundtrack.

Also: More news on Marilyn Manson, Kelly Osbourne and the “Undercover Brother” soundtrack.

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Third Eye Blind‘s third album, “Crystal Baller,” will be released in mid-summer, according to Elektra Records.  The band recorded most of the album at their new Mourningwood studio in San Francisco, and additional work was done at George Lucas’ Skywalker Sound in Marin County, Calif.



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The Recording Academy announced on Wednesday (4/3) that next year’s Grammy Awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 23 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The event has been held in Los Angeles since 1998. Prior to that, it generally alternated between New York and Los Angeles.



That practice ended after Recording Academy president and CEO Michael Greene and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani got into a feud. Giuliani accused Greene of using obscene language while talking with an aide, which Greene denied. Giuliani, in turn, called Greene a liar.



The Grammy’s didn’t return to New York for the balance of Giuliani’s term in office.

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Marilyn Manson has signed on to play the role of “Christina” in the film Party Monster, according to Manson’s official website. Production is scheduled to begin in April of 2002.



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MTV reports that Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy and Sharon, will collaborate with members of Incubus on a cover of Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach.”

“I didn’t choose the song,” Kelly reportedly said. “My mom did and asked me to do it. I’m kind of crapping myself because I don’t think I’m a very good singer.”



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The soundtrack for the forthcoming Universal Studios comedy “Undercover Brother” (starring Eddie Griffin, Chris Kattan, Dave Chappelle, and Denise Richards) will feature contributions from Snoop Dogg, James Brown, the Isley Brothers, Gil Scott-Heron, Kool & the Gang, the Commodores, the O’Jays, the Mary Jane Girls and others. The debut single is “Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker),’’ a Parliament re-make from Snoop Dogg & Friends. The album is set for release on Hollywood Records on May 21, and the film opens nationwide on May 31.

Monday, April 01, 2002

In Brief: Van Morrison, Townes Van Zandt

Also: More news on American Head Charge, HOB Concerts.

Also: More news on American Head Charge, HOB Concerts.

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Universal Records will release a new Van Morrison album titled “Down the Road” on May 14, which will be preceded by the first single, “Hey Mr. DJ,” on April 16. The album contains 13 new songs, as well as the artist’s rendition of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia On My Mind.” The album also features “Evening Shadows,” an Acker Bilk instrumental to which Morrison added his own lyrics and to which Acker contributes a clarinet solo.

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On April 23, Dualtone Music Group will release “A Gentle Evening with Townes Van Zandt,” a recently unearthed recording of a Van Zandt concert recorded in November of 1969 at New York’s Carnegie Hall.



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Guitarist Wayne Kile has departed the rock bad American Head Charge, and has been replaced by Brian Ottoson from the Minneapolis band Black Flood Diesel. Ottoson will make his first appearance with the band in the video for “Just So You Know,” the first official single from American Head Charge’s “The War of Art” album.

“Our split with Wayne is completely amicable and we wish him luck in his future endeavors,” the band said in statement. “Over the past year, it became obvious that Wayne was moving in a different direction than the rest of the band, and in the past few months it became extremely apparent that it was time for him to move on.”



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Concerts West--a fledgling promotions firm headed by Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz--and Fred Rosen, the former head of Ticketmaster, have made separate formal bids to acquire House of Blues Concerts, Denver’s Rocky Mountain News reported. HOB Concerts is the second-largest concert promotions firm in the U.S., far behind Clear Channel Entertainment.

Sunday, March 31, 2002

Street Date April 2: Ashanti, Apex Theory, XTC

[B]Also out this week:[EB] Tweet, The Fantomas Melvins Big Band, Cyclefly, Stew and more.

[B]Also out this week:[EB] Tweet, The Fantomas Melvins Big Band, Cyclefly, Stew and more.

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[B]Ashanti - “Ashanti"[EB] (Def Jam)

The timing couldn’t be better for the release of Ashanti’s debut album: she appears on three songs currently in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (with Ja Rule on “Always on Time,” with Fat Joe on “What’s Luv” and on her own single, “Foolish"). With the exception of a track that she co-wrote with Ja Rule, the 21-year-old R&B vocalist penned this album herself. Ashanti cites hip-hop-soul queen Mary J. Blige among her key influences.

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[B]Apex Theory - “Topsy-Turvy"[EB] (DreamWorks)



Los Angeles-based quartet Apex Theory follows up its self-titled 2001 EP with its first full-length. The group recently toured with Alien Ant Farm as part of the SnoCore Rock tour, is currently on the road with Lost Prophets as part of the MTV2 tour, and has been placed on the bill for this summer’s [L=/news/story.php?id=61]Ozzfest tour[EL].

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[B]XTC - “Coat of Many Cupboards"[EB] (Caroline)



The British pop stalwarts take their turn at releasing a box set. Four discs of songs from the band’s tenure at Virgin Records UK, spanning from 1978’s “White Music” to 1992’s “Nonsuch.” The long box features the standard essay, liner notes from remaining members Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, and two bonus tracks. The track listing can be found at Chalkhills.org (the site of choice for serious XTC fans).

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[B]Tweet[EB] - “Southern Hummingbird” (Elektra/Goldmine)



Newcomer Tweet is the latest addition to fellow female hip-hop artist Missy Elliott’s boutique label, Goldmine Records. Co-produced by Elliott and rapper Timbaland, the album features the single “Oops (Oh My),” audio and video for which are both being streamed at Elektra’s official Tweet website. According to the site, Tweet will precede the album’s release with a Monday (4/1) appearance on MTV’s “Total Request Live.”

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[B]The Fantomas Melvins Big Band[EB] - “Millennium Monsterwork” (Ipecac)



Quirky rock acts the Fantomas--featuring former Faith No More frontman Mike Patton--and the Melvins shared the stage on New Year’s Eve 2000. This album documents that show. One track from each band--the Melvins’ “Hooch” and the Fantomas’ “She’s a Puker"--are available at the Ipecac Recordings (a label Patton co-founded) website.



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[B]Cyclefly - “Crave"[EB] (MCA)



Cyclefly’s latest is its sophomore effort. The Irish quintet recorded some of the album in England with producer Colin Richardson (Machine Head) during the winter of 2000, and the rest in its native Ireland with Producers Bill Appleberry and Tobias Miller (Miller is the former guitarist and co-founder of the Wallflowers), according to the band’s official website. MCA’s Cyclefly website features a streaming version of the video for the new album’s first single, “No Stress.”



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[B]Stew - “The Naked Dutch Painter and Other Songs"[EB] (Smile/Image)



The basic tracks for the second solo effort from the leader of the Negro Problem--a popular Los Angeles band that has yet to break through on the national scene--were recorded during a residency at the Los Angeles club the Knitting Factory in July of 2001. Overdubs were added to the live tracks by producer Chris Carter (Dramarama) to create this hybrid live-studio album. Stew’s record company biography cites Arthur Lee, Jaques Brel, Jimmy Webb and Nina Simone as influences.



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Other new releases:



36 Crazyfists - “Bitterness the star” (Roadrunner)

Cave Catt Sammy - “Love Me Like Crazy” (Rubric)

John Cowan - “Always Take Me Back” (Sugar Hill)

The Dirty Boyz - “Certified Dirtified” (Black 6)

Julie Doiron - “Heart & Crime” (Jagjaguwar)

Dukes of Hamburg - “Some Folks” (Gearhead)

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer - “Pocket Full of Stardust” (Rounder)

Tami Hart - “What Passed Between Us” (Mr. Lady)

The Hellacopters - “High Visibility (Gearhead)

The High Fidelity - “Demonstration” (Freedom in Exile)

Juggernautz - Juggernautz (Word Entertainment)

Pat Kilbride - “Nightingale Lane” (Temple)

Don Lennon - “Downtown” (Secretly Canadian)

Lil’ J - “All About J” (Hollywood)

Harry Manx - “Wise and Otherwise” (Northern Blues)

Medication - “Medication [EP]” (Locomotive)

Milky Wimpshake - “Lovers, Not Fighters” (Troubleman)

Shana Morrison - “7 Wishes” (Vanguard)

Nagisa Ni Te - “Feel” (Jagjaguwar)

Juice Newton - “Every Road Leads Back to You” (Image)

Robert Randolph & the Family Band - “Live at the Wetlands” (Sci Fidelity)

Swearing at Motorists - “Along the Inclined Plane [EP]” (Secretly Canadian)

Otis Taylor - “Respect the Dead” (Northern Blues)

Doc Watson and Frosty Morn - “‘Round the Table Again” (Sugar Hill)

Jessica Williams - “This Side Up” (Max Jazz)

XTC - “A Coat Of Many Cupboards [box set]” (Caroline)

David Zollo - “The Big Night” (Rubric)

Various artists - “Chill Out Lounge 3” (Varese)

Various artists - “It’s About Eve - Music for the Cure” (Fore Reel)

Various artists - “Love Songs for New York” (Village Voice)

Various artists - “Rarewerks” (Astralwerks)

Various artists - “This is Where I Belong: The Songs of Ray Davies & the Kinks” (Rykodisc)



Click here to check out last week’s “Street Date” feature.

Wednesday, March 27, 2002

Album Chart: “Now! 9” leads charge of Top 10 debuts

Continuing the franchise’s ongoing streak of No. 1 debuts, the ninth installment in the “Now That’s What I Call Music!” series will take over the top spot on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart, according to industry sources.

Continuing the franchise’s ongoing streak of No. 1 debuts, the ninth installment in the “Now That’s What I Call Music!” series will take over the top spot on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart, according to industry sources.

Others following the album into the Top 10 include new releases from Jay-Z and R. Kelly, Glenn Lewis and Jimmy Buffett.



“Now! 9,” a compilation of 20 previously released chart-topping hits, sold almost 420,000 copies during its first week in stores. Songs on the compilation include Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U,” Shakira’s “Ain’t It Funny,” Aerosmith’s “Just Push Play,” U2’s “Stuck in a Moment,” plus additional hits from ‘NSync, Nelly Furtado, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez and others.



First-week sales of “Now! 9” were down compared to those garnered by every “Now!” release since Vol. 5, according to Billboard, but the album had no problem staying well ahead of this week’s No. 2 debut from Jay-Z and R. Kelly, “The Best of Both Worlds.” The collaboration between the hip-hop and R&B icons moved about 223,000 copies.

After spending the past two weeks at No. 1--thanks to its recent Album of the Year Grammy win--the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack slips to No. 3. Debuting at No. 4, meanwhile, is “World Outside My Window,” the first release from R&B singer Glenn Lewis; his inaugural album has spawned the hit “Don’t You Forget It.”



Also racking up a Top 10 debut this week is Jimmy Buffett, whose “Far Side of the World” checks in at No. 5. The album is the veteran beach bum’s first studio release since 1999’s “Beach House on the Moon.”



Alan Jackson’s hit album “Drive” continues to bounce around in the Top 10, down three spots to take over the No. 6 position previously held by Linkin Park’s “Hybrid Theory.” The latter album, in its 74th week on the chart, slips one notch to No. 7.



Alanis Morissette’s latest, “Under Rug Swept,” continues to descend, down four spots this week to No. 8.



Closing out this week’s Top 10 is Ludacris’ “Word of Mouf” and Pink’s “Missundaztood” at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.



Bailing out of the Top 10 in a big hurry is the self-titled debut from teen pop-quartet B2K; the album, which debuted at No. 2 last week, falls to No. 12.



Albums making their chart debut further down the list include the “Blade II” soundtrack at No. 26, Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “The Trials and Tribulations of Russell Jones” at No. 33 and Darren Hayes’ “Spin” at No. 35.

Monday, March 25, 2002

Street Date March 26: Celine Dion, “The Scorpion King” soundtrack

[B]Also out this week:[EB] “MTV: The Best of TRL Pop,” Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Caitlin Cary, Down, Cassandra Wilson and more.

[B]Also out this week:[EB] “MTV: The Best of TRL Pop,” Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Caitlin Cary, Down, Cassandra Wilson and more.

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[B]Celine Dion - “A New Day Has Come"[EB] (Epic)



The celebrated diva is ending her two-year hiatus with her first new studio album since 1997’s “Let’s Talk About Love.” The 16-song album includes the title track, which hit radio stations in early February, as well as Dion’s renditions of Etta James’ “At Last” and Nat King Cole’s “Nature Boy.” Dion will launch the album with a number of television appearances, including a one-hour CBS concert special due to air on April 7. More details about the special and the new album can be found at Dion’s official [L=http://celinedion.com]website[EL].

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[B]Various artists - “Music from and Inspired by ‘The Scorpion King’"[EB] (Universal)



This 16-song soundtrack features 10 new cuts from rockers such as System of a Down, Creed, Nickelback, Sevendust, Coal Chamber, Drowning Pool and others. Among the new tracks is the album’s first single, Godsmack’s “I Stand Alone.” Also included is previously released material from Rob Zombie featuring Ozzy Osbourne, and P.O.D., which contributes a remix of its song “Set It Off.” The soundtrack’s official [L=http://www.scorpionkingmusic.com/site.html]website[EL] features streaming samples of the album’s tracks and other information about the collection.



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[B]Big Head Todd and the Monsters - “Riviera"[EB] (Big/Warner Bros.)



The first album in four years from this straightforward Colorado rock trio is a do-it-yourself effort. Forced to go it alone following the closure of its former label, Giant Records, the band self-produced this CD, which it is issuing on its own label, Big Records, via a distribution deal with Warner Bros. The new album’s debut single is titled “Wishing Well.”



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[B]Caitlin Cary - “While You Weren’t Looking"[EB] (Yep Roc)



This ex-Whiskeytown member’s debut album was produced by Chris Stamey (the dB’s) and features guest appearances from Cary’s former bandmate Ryan Adams, as well as Mitch Easter (Let’s Active), Jon Wurster (Superchunk) and others. Whiskeytown’s Mike Daly, Mike Santoro and Skillet Gilmore played on most songs, and Adams co-wrote three tracks. He also duets with Cary on a limited-edition, four-song bonus disc that is packaged with the album.

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[B]Down - “Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow"[EB] (Elektra)



Headed up by Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo and Corrosion of Conformity frontman Pepper Keenan, Down returns with the follow-up to its 1995 debut, “Nola.” In addition to Anselmo and Keenan, the group’s lineup also features Eyehategod drummer Jim Bower and Crowbar guitarist Kirk Windstein, as well as Pantera bassist Rex Brown. The quintet will spend the month of May touring the U.S. in support of its new album, samples of which can be heard at Elektra’s official Down [L=http://www.down-music.com]website[EL].



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[B]Various artists - “MTV: The Best of TRL Pop"[EB] (Universal/UTV)



One week after delivering to stores the “Now That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 9” compilation of previously released radio hits, Universal offers up this collection of previously released hits that have been featured on MTV’s “Total Request Live.” The track listing includes ‘NSync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye,” Backstreet Boys’ “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” and Sisqo’s “Thong Song,” as well as additional cuts from Mya, Enrique Iglesias, Len, 3LW, BBMak, Smash Mouth, Souldecision, 98 Degrees and Samantha Mumba.



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[B]Cassandra Wilson - “Belly of the Sun"[EB] (Blue Note)

The jazz singer self-produced this album, which is her 14th. A review of the album in Harp magazine says that, as a producer, Wilson followed this “blueprint”: “[Keep] the instrumentation lean and sympathetic; choose hip (and not-so-hip) tunes from the world of rock, blues, folk, and jazz; and rearrange them to suit her deep, sultry voice.” The songs include Bob Dylan’s “Shelter from the Storm,” Jimmy Webb’s “Wichita Lineman” and the Band’s “The Weight.”



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[B]Other new releases:[EB]



Susanne Abbuehl - “April” (ECM)

Claudia Acuna - “Rhythm of Life” (Verve)

All 4 One - “A41” (American Music Corp.)

All That Remains - “Behind the Silence and Solitude” (Metal Blade)

The Atomic Bitchwax - “Spit Blood” (Meteorcity)

Avant - “Ecstasy” (MCA)

Baha Men - “Move It Like This” (Capitol)

Tab Benoit - “Wetlands” (Telarc)

Blend Echo - “Warrior” (Shadow)

Bludgeon - “Crucify the Priest” (Metal Blade)

Michel Camilo - “Triangulo” (Telarc)

Beth Neilsen Chapman - “Deeper Still” (Artemis)

Jack Dangers - “Variaciones Espectrales” (Instinct)

Drag the River - “Closed” (Upland)

Eazy-E - “Impact of a Legend” (Ruthless/Epic)

Mark Elf - “Dream Steppin’” (Jen Bay)

Mark Erelli - “The Memorial Hall Recordings” (Signature Sounds)

Fine China - “You Make Me Hate Music” (Tooth & Nail)

Jeremiah Freed - “Jeremiah Freed” (Universal)

G. Love & Special Sauce - “Best Of”

Funky Green Dogs - “Super California” (MCA)

Jeff Gauthier - “Mask” (Cryptogramophone)

Gerardo - “Gerardo” (Thump)

Jeff Golub - “Do It Again” (Universal)

Eric Hansen - “Nuevo Flamenco Romancia” (Neurodisc)

Ed Harcourt - “Here Be Monsters” (Capitol)

Hatebreed - “Perseverance” (Universal)

Warren Hill - “Love Songs” (Narada)

Hillbilly Idol - “Hillbilly Idol” (Slewfoot)

Ill Harmonics - “Take 2” (Uprok)

Infinity Tha Ghetto Child - “Pain” (MCA)

Iron Maiden - “Rock in Rio” (Columbia)

Mason Jennings - “Century Spring” (Bar None)

Kidneythieves - “Zerospace” (Warner Bros.)

Kinky - “Kinky” (Nettwerk)

Nicole McCloud - “So What” (Artemis)

Mindy McCready - “Mindy McCready” (Capitol)

Estrella Morente - “My Song and a Poem” (Real World)

The Nels Cline Singers - “Instrumentals” (Cryptogramophone)

Pepper - “Kona Town” (MCA)

Roberto Perera - “Sensual” (Heads Up)

Porter Hall, Tennessee - “Welcome to Porter Hall, Tennessee” (Slewfoot)

Pretty Willie - “Enter the Life of Suella” (Universal)

Ra Desperidos - “Tired of Strugglin’” (Koch)

Pepecito Reyes - “Pepecito Reyes” (Narada World)

Rock County - “Rock County” (Rebel)

Louis Sclavis - “Dans la Nuit” (ECM)

The Secret Machines - “September 000” (Ace Fu)

Sleeping Flies - “You Are Superior” (Kindercore)

Sparta - “Austere (EP)” (DreamWorks)

Tony Stampley - “Rebelution” (DreamWorks)

Tomasz Stanko Quartet - “Soul of Things” (ECM)

Taking Back Sunday - “Tell All Your Friends” (Victory)

Tiger Saw - “Blessed Are the Trials We Will Find” (Kimchee)

Two Thirty Eight - “Regulate the Chemicals” (Tooth & Nail)

Pete Yorn - “Live” (Columbia)

Various artists - “The Best of Narada: New Age” (Narada)

Various artists - “Urban Knights Presents: The Chicago Project” (Narada)

Various artists - “United Synthpop Artists - A Tribute for 911” (Panda

Pop/Ninthwave)



[B]Soundtracks and scores:[EB]

“National Lampoon’s Van Wilder” (Artemis)

“The Rookie” (Hollywood)

“Subways Are for Sleeping” (Fynsworth Alley)

“The Time Machine” (Universal)



[I]Click [L=/news/story.php?id=51]here[EL] to check out last week’s “Street Date” feature.[EI]

Saturday, March 23, 2002

Album Chart: “O Brother” stays on top

Still riding the momentum of its recent Grammy win, the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack will spend its second consecutive week in the No. 1 spot on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart, according to industry sources.

Still riding the momentum of its recent Grammy win, the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack will spend its second consecutive week in the No. 1 spot on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart, according to industry sources.

Trailing just behind is the self-titled debut from B2K, which marks this week’s only Top 10 debut.



Released in December of 2000, the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack claimed the Album of the Year award at February’s Grammy ceremony. The album--comprised of country and bluegrass tunes--was propelled by the track “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” a song prominently featured in the film. (Singer Dan Tyminski performed the song live during the ceremony; the song won the Grammy in the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals category.)



Making its debut at No. 2 is the inaugural album from teen pop-soul group B2K, whose self-titled release sold about 150,000 copies during its first week in stores. The album features the group’s hits “Uh Huh” and “Gots ta Be,” the companion videos for which rose to No. 3 on MTV’s “Total Request Live” and BET’s “106th & Park,” respectively, according to the group’s official [L=http://b2klovesyou.com]website[EL].



Alan Jackson’s “Drive” continues to stretch its legs, climbing two spots to come in at No. 3. Following at No. 4, meanwhile, is “Under Rug Swept,” the latest from Alanis Morissette, which debuted at No. 1 two weeks back and slipped to No. 3 last week.



Brandy’s “Full Moon,” which logged on to the chart at No. 2 last week, slides three spots to No. 5, while Linkin Park’s “Hybrid Theory"--which is now in its 73rd week on the chart--drops two spots to No. 6.



Ludacris’ “Word of Mouf” takes a slight drop one spot to No. 7, followed by Pink’s sophomore effort, “Missundaztood,” which claws its way up to No. 8 from No. 10.

Kylie Minogue’s “Fever,” which made its debut at No. 3 two weeks ago, stays put at No. 9 for the second week straight, while Jennifer Lopez’s “J to tha LO!” continues its slow decline, slipping two spots to No. 10.



Debuts happening further down the chart include the “Resident Evil” soundtrack at No. 24, Destiny’s Child’s “This is the Remix” at No. 29, Indigo Girls’ “Becoming You” at No. 30, “Remy Shand’s “The Way I Feel” at No. 39 and Wu Tang presents the Killa Bees’ “The Sting” at No. 46.

Wednesday, March 20, 2002

Street Date March 19: “Now! 9,” Jay-Z and R. Kelly

[B]Also in stores:[EB] Jimmy Buffett, Megadeth, “Blade II,” ODB, Super Furry Animals, Custom, “Brewed in Texas,” and more.

[B]Also in stores:[EB] Jimmy Buffett, Megadeth, “Blade II,” ODB, Super Furry Animals, Custom, “Brewed in Texas,” and more.

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[B]Various artists - “Now That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 9"[EB] (Universal)



The “Now!” franchise shows no signs of slowing, as evidenced by the series’ ninth installment. No deep thinking here; 20 tracks, all previously released, chart-topping hits. Songs include Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U,” Shakira’s “Ain’t It Funny,” Aerosmith’s “Just Push Play,” U2’s “Stuck in a Moment,” plus additional hits from ‘NSync, Nelly Furtado, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez and others.



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[B]R.Kelly and Jay-Z - “The Best of Both Worlds” [EB](Jive/Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records)

Rapper Jay-Z and singer R. Kelly recorded this album of duets in both New York and Chicago over the course of several months. Produced by R. Kelly and Trackmasters, the album was originally set for a March 26 release, but was moved up due to widespread circulation of bootleg copies. Island Def Jam, home to Jay-Z, is promoting and marketing “The Best of Both Worlds” in the U.S. and Canada, while Jive, home to R. Kelly, is handling things abroad. Fans can register to win an autographed copy of the CD and other prizes via a contest hosted on R. Kelly’s official [L=http://getmusic.com/microsites/rkelly/]website[EL].



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Jimmy Buffett - “Far Side of the World"[eb] (Mailboat)



“Far Side of the World,” produced by Russ Titleman (Eric Clapton, James Taylor), is Buffett’s first studio album since 1999’s “Beach House on the Moon,” and his first studio album for his self-run label, Mailboat Records. Many of the songs are said to be inspired by Buffett’s December 2000 trip to Africa. Footage of the album’s recording sessions and a home video of the African trip are among the multimedia computer files that are included on the CD.



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[B]Megadeth - “Rude Awakening"[EB] (Sanctuary)



The latest from these metal vets is the group’s first official live release, recorded during its tour behind last year’s “The World Needs a Hero.” A companion DVD/VHS release is due to follow on April 9. You can find the track listing and cover art for “Rude Awakening” at the band’s official [L=http://megadeth.com/]website[EL].



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