Popular Uprisings

ROCK LEGACY: Doyle Bramhall II returns with Welcome, his new album, credited to Doyle Bramhall II & Smokestack. The album, due June 5 on RCA Records, features Tom Petty keyboardist Benmont Tench; Bramhall's wife, Susannah Melvoin, on backup vocals; drummer J.J. Johnson; and bassist Chris Bruce.

Bramhall has a notable background in blues-inspired rock. His father, Doyle Bramhall Sr., was a regular songwriting collaborator with Jimmie Vaughan and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Bramhall II has penned songs that were recorded by B.B. King and Eric Clapton. Bramhall II and Smokestack is currently on a North American tour as the opening act for Clapton. Upcoming tour dates include June 4 in Cleveland, June 11-12 in Boston, June 20-23 in New York, July 21 in Milwaukee, and July 24-25 in Chicago.

GOSPEL 'WAR': James Hall & Worship & Praise narrowly missed entering the Heatseekers top 50 chart this issue with the album We Are at War (DMG/IDN Records). It debuts at No. 10 this issue on the Top Gospel Albums chart. Hall's choir, Worship & Praise, has the distinction of being the first gospel choir to record a live album at New York's Lincoln Center. The resulting album, Live from New York, was a No. 10 hit on the Top Gospel Albums chart.

Several of Hall's previous efforts have also impacted that chart: 1997's . . . According to James Hall—Chapter III (No. 8), 1995's King of Glory (No. 12), and 1994's God is in Control (No. 10).

According to SoundScan, We Are at War is experiencing its strongest sales in the Middle Atlantic and the Northeast, where the album is bubbling under those regional charts.

POP INGÉNUE: Newcomer Amanda is a Swedish pop singer who has been getting attention stateside for her single "Everybody Doesn't," the title track from her debut album on Maverick Records. The song is No. 86 this issue on The Billboard Hot 100. Producers on the Everybody Doesn't album include those who have worked with 98, Samantha Mumba, LFO, and Jennifer Lopez.

Album track "You Don't Stand a Chance" was on the Rugrats in Paris film soundtrack. Amanda also performed the song on the Nickelodeon program Slime Time Live.

ROCK DEBUT: Chicago's No One will be reaching a new audience when the band goes on the Ozzfest tour this summer. No One, which will play the Ozzfest second stage, has been on a U.S. tour in advance of its self-titled debut album, due June 19 on Immortal/Virgin Records. The album was produced by Johnny K, who has previously collaborated with Disturbed. Upcoming No One tour dates include June 8 in Tinley Park, Ill.; July 21 in Camden, N.J.; and Aug. 3 in Columbus, Ohio.