JOSH GROBAN - GROBAN CLAIMS ALBUM TOP SPOT WITH CHRISTMAS SONGS

Christmas has come early for JOSH GROBAN - his festive album NOEL has hit the top of the U.S. charts seven weeks after its release. The album jumped up a spot from two to one, selling a stunning 405,000 copies, which insiders claim was sparked by a surprise appearance on a recent Oprah show. Noel becomes the first Christmas-themed album to hit number one on the Billboard chart since Kenny G's Miracles in 1994. The feat also marks Groban's best sales week on the chart. Alicia Keys' As I Am, which debuted at the top of the countdown last week (21Nov07), falls a spot to two, while hits compilation Now 26 jumps up a place to three. Meanwhile, the soundtrack to High School Musical 2 jumps back up the chart from 14 to six, and steals the top-selling album of the year from Daughtry in the process. The only new entry in the top 10 lands at 10 as American Idol winner Jordin Sparks opens her album chart career with her eponymous debut.