Why Concert CD isn't topping charts

[Brian Cady <brianinatlanta2001@yahoo.com>]

>From Associated Press at:
http://www.sptimes.com/News/122501/Artsandentertainment/Loved_the_shows_don_t.shtml

Loved the shows; don't care about the CDs

NEW YORK -- The millions of people who watched two
benefit concerts for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks haven't exactly rushed to buy the compact disc
highlights of the shows. 

The Concert for New York City, a two-disc set compiled
from the Madison Square Garden show starring Paul
McCartney and the Who, sold about 148,000 copies in
its first two weeks, according to Billboard. 

It debuted at No. 27 on Billboard's album chart and
slipped to No. 42 in its third second week. The
concert was telecast live on VH1, and highlights were
shown in November on CBS. 

America: A Tribute to Heroes, another two-disc set,
sold 126,000 copies its first week in stores. It
documents the Sept. 21 telecast shown on dozens of TV
networks and seen by an estimated 59.3-million
viewers. 

It debuted at No. 17, then fell to No. 25. 

The delay between when the concerts took place and
when the CDs became available may be hurting them,
said Geoff Mayfield, director of charts for Billboard.


The holiday season also may have something to do with
it, he said. 

"If you're an adult, you've got other things on your
mind this time of year besides buying music," Mayfield
said. 

A Tribute to Heroes actually did well in a competitive
market, Mayfield said. He said he expected The Concert
for New York City to do better. 

Neither album has benefited from the upsurge in
post-Sept. 11 patriotism that has enabled Sony's
rush-released God Bless America collection to sell
more than 800,000 copies. 

It is at No. 57 on the Billboard chart in its ninth
week. 

Industry insiders say that because the projects are
for charity, neither has the promotional budget of
higher-profile releases. 

Because the discs appeal primarily to older adults who
don't rush out to buy music as quickly as younger
consumers, they still can be strong sellers, Mayfield
said. 

"It's probably too early to write either one of them
off," he said. 

-Brian in Atlanta
 The Who This Month!
 now at:
 http://www.thewho.net/whostory/dec.htm
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