Talk about an upset.

Next week’s Billboard albums chart is about who finished fifth as much as who claims the #1 spot. A chart-topping debut has eluded Jessica Simpson once again, as sales of the singer/actress’ fifth album, A Public Affair, came in at just under 101,000. Meanwhile, Bob Dylan proved that an illustrious career is often accompanied by a loyal fanbase.

SoundScan reported first-week sales for the iconic singer/songwriter’s first studio LP in five years, Modern Times, at nearly 192,000 — outselling his nearest challenger by more than 74,000 copies. It’s the first time in 30 years that Dylan has held the top spot — he previously reached #1 with 1974’s Planet Waves, 1975’s Blood on the Tracks and 1976’s Desire.

Bob Dylan at Dutchess Stadium, Fishkill, NY
Set List
1. Cat’s in the Well
2. You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
3. Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
4. The Man in Me
5. Watching the River Flow
6. Stuck Inside of Mobil with the Mephis Blues Again
7. Not Dark Yet
8. Highway 61 Revisted
9. Visions of Johanna
10. I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
11. Sugar Baby
12. Summer Days
13. Like a Rolling Stone
14. All Along the Watchtower

I couldn’t believe how good he sounded. This was the third time I have seen him, and the other two times were indoors with better acoustics as opposed to be this time being in the centerfield of a minor league stadium.

This is Bob Dylan Week.
So far I’m liking the new album.
Can’t not like the “Workingman’s Blues 2″

Got my tickets to see him Friday.

Yesterday, got my Rolling Stone in the mail, guess who’s on the cover.

I feel like a kid on Christmas.