Brazilian a world champ with Bowie covers album

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - The songs of David Bowie were given a Portuguese makeover by Brazilian artist Seu Jorge, and his album became a surprise success on the year-end Top World Albums chart.

Jorge's album, "The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions," collected 14 Bowie covers that Jorge performed as a sailing balladeer in the 2004 Wes Anderson film "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou." The Disney release ranks second only to "Celtic Woman," which leads the Top World Albums recap for the second consecutive year.

Jorge previously starred in the film "City of God." He is best-known as a purveyor of Brazilian samba, but his set of Bowie covers is certainly his biggest success to date.

"The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions" spent three weeks at No. 2 on the weekly world albums chart prior to this year-end showing at No. 2.

Another hit on the world music tally was the electronic tango of Gotan Project. The group's first album since 2001, "Lunatico," spent four weeks at No. 2. It finished the year as the No. 4 title on the Top World Albums recap.

The success of "Celtic Woman" has been fueled by the group's performances on PBS, and its new album "A Christmas Celebration" has already topped the weekly world music albums chart.

Reuters/Billboard