Pop Album Chart : Barry White Still a Soul Icon

One of the surprise hits of the season is R&B; crooner Barry White’s “The Icon Is Love,” which jumped from No. 36 to No. 25 and has already sold more than a million. Not bad for an artist many had written off as a has-been. Those TV spots he was doing around Valentine’s Day probably helped boost album sales. . . . The members of the hard-rock band Extreme won’t find any humor in what happened to their new album, “Waiting for the Punchline.” After a promising debut at No. 40 it took an extreme fall, landing at No. 90. . . . Quietly, Yanni’s “Live at the Acropolis” is still selling--No. 40 this week--which is remarkable for an album that’s been on the chart for almost a year. The New Age king’s many critics keep saying how awful his music is, but fans keep on buying it. . . . “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” by Slash’s Snakepit--the new group featuring the Guns N’ Roses guitarist--entered at No. 70. . . . On the pop singles chart, Madonna’s “Take a Bow” retains its No. 1 slot, while the fastest risers are Boyz II Men’s “Thank You” (No. 31), Bonnie Raitt’s “You Got It” (No. 35) and TLC’s “Red Light Special” (No. 39).

* Although she’s been tabbed as the next Reba or Wynonna, pop-country singer Trisha Yearwood still hasn’t become an A-level star. But “Thinkin’ About You”--arguably her best--may move her up a notch. It premiered at No. 28.

For the week ending Feb. 25

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “The Hits,” Garth Brooks 1 1 10 2. “II,” Boyz II Men 2 3 25 3. “Dookie,” Green Day 4 4 54 4. “Balance,” Van Halen 3 2 4 5. “Hell Freezes Over,” 5 5 15 Eagles 6. “Cracked Rear View,” 7 11 32 Hootie & the Blowfish 7. “Crazysexycool,” TLC 6 6 14 8. “Throwing Copper,” 12 17 43 Live 9. “No Need to Argue,” 9 10 20 the Cranberries 10. “Vitalogy,” Pearl Jam 8 8 13 * “Thinkin’ About You,” ... ... 1 Trisha Yearwood