British Favorites Michael Ball And Alfie Boe Finally Reach No. 1

~ Forbes Magazine by Hugh McIntyre - 16/12/16 ~

Six weeks after it debuted in the U.K. albums chart, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s collaborative new album Together has finally risen all the way to the top spot, which is unusual for a record that has been performing well all along. The title has been bouncing around the top 10 for more than a month now, and it’s proven to be one of the biggest sellers of the year. This week, Boe collects his first No. 1 album, and Ball nabs a second chart-topper, following his 1992 self-titled effort. This time around, the album shifted another 96,000 equivalent units.

The next six spots on the albums chart are held by records that once sat atop the ranking, but have since fallen slightly, or in some cases, risen yet again to popularity.

Down just one spot to No. 2 is last week’s champion, Blue & Lonesome by The Rolling Stones. The title kicked off with an enormous first frame, and it is clearly still popular amongst the band’s countrymen.

Steady at No. 3 is Glory Days, the fourth full-length from British girl group Little Mix. The record started at No. 1 a handful of weeks ago, giving the four women their first reign on the albums chart. Glory Days is still being powered by lead single “Shout Out To My Ex,” which also topped the charts.

Elvis Presley’s The Wonder Of You simply will not quit selling, and this week it stays still at No. 4. The record, his second No. 1-charter in as many years, is the second in a series that takes The King’s works and sets his vocals to classical compositions, which is clearly appealing to many of the musician’s biggest fans (who already likely own most of his catalog).