Pop Album Chart : Prince Gets a Boost From ‘Cream’

Usually when a Prince album comes out, it shoots to the Top 10 and briefly stays there before it plummets, indicating his hard-core fans buy it, but then . . . no takers. His new release, “Diamonds & Pearls,” is an exception, hanging on in the Top Five of Billboard magazine’s pop chart. It’s getting a boost from the single “Cream,” which is No. 1 on the singles chart. Garth Brooks still has two Top 10 albums: “Ropin’ the Wind” (No. 1) and “No Fences” (No. 10).

* This tribute to Elton John and Bernie Taupin, debuting at No. 28, features their songs performed by artists like Sting, the Who, George Michael and Sinead O’Connor.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1.”Ropin’ the Wind” 1 1 7 Garth Brooks (Capitol) 2.”Use Your Illusion II” 2 2 6 Guns N’ Roses (Geffen) 3.”Diamonds & Pearls” 4 5 4 Prince (Paisley Park) 4.”Metallica” 5 8 11 Metallica (Elektra) 5.”Use Your Illusion I” 8 7 6 Guns N’ Roses (Geffen) *”Two Rooms” ... ... .1 Polydor (various artists)