Guitar hero Joe Bonamassa on course to topple Keane

According to today’s Official Albums Chart Update, guitar hero Joe Bonamassa is on track to upset the Official Albums Chart applecart by scoring his first UK chart topper, leading an almighty invasion of rock entries on today’s Official Chart Update.

Internationally acclaimed blues star Bonamassa looks set to knock reigning chart chaps Keane off Number 1 with his new release, Driving Towards The Daylight. The album features Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford, Beach Boys collaborator Blondie Chaplin, ex-Meatloaf guitarist Pat Thrall and former Kiss session drummer Anton Fig, among others.  The release is Bonamassa’s lucky 13th studio album, and looks set to become the New York guitar hero’s  highest charting album to date (2011’s Dust Bowl got to Number 12 on the Official Albums Chart).

John Mayer is also set for a personal best, too, with new album Born And Raised on course to debut at Number 2 on Sunday. Though a massive star in his homeland, the US singer songwriter has only made an impact in the Official Albums Chart Top 40 with one of his four previous studio albums (2009’s Battle Studies got to Number 35 in November, 2009).

Adele’s mega selling second album, 21, holds firm at Number 4 in its 70th week on the Official Albums Chart, while The Enemy look set to score their third Top 5 album. Streets In The Sky, the follow up to 2009’s Number 2 album Music For People, is at Number 4 today. BRIT Award winner Emeli Sande completes this week’s Official Albums Chart Update Top 5 with Our Version Of Events at Number 5.

High climbers

Following the tragic death of Robin Gibb earlier this week, The Bee Gees’ Greatest Hits album, The Ultimate Bee Gees, makes its first appearance in the Top 200 for more than a year, and is on course re-enter the Official Albums Chart at Number 32. Meanwhile, The Bee Gees’ Number Ones collection has shot up 28 places, and is currently at Number 6 in today’s Update.

Jay-Z and Kanye West, who have been performing shows in the UK this week, are today’s other big climbers with their album, Watch The Throne, up 16 places from Number 38 to Number 22.

New entries

There are a total of 14 new entries in today’s Official Albums Chart Update Top 40; six of which are in the Top 10. Joining Joe Bonamassa (Number 1), John Mayer (2), and The Enemy (4) is Sir Tom Jones (7) Paul Buchanan (8) and Fun. (9).

Sir Tom Jones, who is currently appearing as a coach on the BBC’s new flagship reality TV show The Voice, is on course for 17th Top 10 album of his career with Spirit In The Room set to debut at Number 7. Paul Buchanan, frontman of Glasgow alternative outfit The Blue Nile, on track for a debut solo hit with new album, Mid Air, currently at Number 8, while US outfit Fun, who very nearly toppled Rita Ora from the top of the Official Singles Chart on Sunday with their smash hit We Are Young, are new in at Number 9 with Some Nights.

Further down the Official Albums Chart Update, legendary British rockers The Cult are set to score their highest charting album since their eponymous 1994 album, with Choice Of Weapon currently at Number 12. Aussie band The Temper Trap are at Number 14 with their second, self-titled album, Brit indie trio Saint Etienne are at Number 19 with Words And Music, while guitar legend Slash is at Number 20 with Apocalyptic Love.

Lip Service actress Heather Peace is at Number 24 with her debut album Fairytales, the deluxe re-issue of Sir Paul and Linda McCartney’s 1971 album, Ram, is at 26, and Swedish DJ Eric Prydz’ latest collection, Pryda, is at 33. Former Supergrass singer Gaz Coombes completes this week’s Official Update Top 40 with new solo album, Here Come The Bombs, new in at 40.

The Official Albums Chart Update Top 40 is as follows:

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