As posted on CANOE — JAM!

Charles beats The Hip, Sarah to No. 1

By JOHN WILLIAMSSenior Editor, JAM! Showbiz

Despite healthy album debuts from The Tragically Hip and Sarah McLachlan, it was a French Canadian artist that made a surprise leap to No. 1 in Canada.

Gregory Charles’ second album, “I Think of You,” blasted to the top of the charts, racking up an astonishing 109,000 in sales, according to data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan Canada.

The album figures make “I Think of You” the biggest debut in these parts since Coldplay’s “X&Y,” which sold 105,000 copies in June of 2005.
Trailing well behind was the Hip’s 12th disc, “World Container,” which checked in at No. 2 with 27,000 in sales, and Sarah McLachlan’s Christmas album, “Wintersong,” which landed at No. 3, selling 19,000 copies.

All the movement up front bumped Rod Stewart’s fifth all-covers disc “Still the Same… Great Rock Classics of Our Time” from the No. 1 position down to No. 4.

The Killers’ “Sam’s Town” sank two spots to No. 5, Evanescence’s “The Open Door” dropped from No. 2 to No. 6, and Justin Timberlake’s “FutureSex/LoveSounds” held steady at No. 7.

Rounding out the Top 10 was Tony Bennett’s “Duets: An American Classic” at No. 8, Diana Krall’s “From This Moment On” at No. 9, and K-os’ “Atlantis: Hymns For Disco” at No. 10.

Other notable debuts included JoJo’s “High Road” at No. 12, Diddy’s “Press Play” at No. 17, Aerosmith’s “The Very Best of Aerosmith” at No. 19, Alain Lefevre’s “Moments Musicaux” at No. 35, Dierks Bentley’s “Long Trip Alone” at No. 37, and Cradle of Filth’s “Thornography” at No. 50.