KEEPING UP WITH JONES

Let’s just hope it’s Not Too Late. Which just happens to be the name of Norah Jones’ eagerly awaited third album for Blue Note, and it hasn’t come a moment too soon... not just for EMI, but for the entire business. Based on one-day sales from retailers still solvent around the country indicate the album could go as high as 350k, and maybe even higher considering it’s an upper-demo title. The disc had already broken the pre-order sales record at Amazon.com with between 35-40k.

Hopefully, the 1-2-3 punch of the next two weeks, including the release of IDJ’s new Fall Out Boy album, Infinity on High, on Feb. 6, the Grammys on Feb. 11 and Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 will kick-start the beleaguered biz.

American Idol album Katharine McPhee’s self-titled RCA debut is on target for 100k and a probable #2 finish to Jones, with plenty of TV exposure, including a stint on the popular TV Ugly Betty.

Angel/Manhattan’s new Celtic Woman CD, A New Journey, is from a live performance at Slane Castle in Ireland and follows the release of their successful Christmas album last October. With a simultaneous DVD release and an upcoming PBS special, the disc is expected to sell from 60-70k its first week.

Hidden Beach’s former Grammy winner Jill Scott, now distribbed by UMGD, returns with The Real Thing, which is on target to sell between 40-45k.

Columbia jazz crooner Harry Connick Jr.’s Oh My NOLA, a tribute to his hometown of New Orleans, is expected to attract 30-35k buyers.

Capitol U.K. pop-ska phenom Lily Allen, thanks to Starbucks visibility, will top 20k and could go as high as 25k.

Sony BMG’s Now for the Red States, Totally Country Vol. 6, bows with a target of 25k, while Vagrant’s emo standard-bearers Alkaline Trio are back with Remains, their first album since 2005’s Crimson and earmarked for between 15-20k in first week sales.

Next Tuesday (2/6), IDJ’s Fall Out Boy arrive with their follow-up to the multi-platinum debut From Under the Cork Tree.

The market was up 5% vs. last week, down between 15-16% vs. same week last year and now down over 15% year-to-date.