It’s been 42 years since Neil Diamond released his debut album in 1966, The Feel of Neil Diamond.

The veteran singer-songwriter proves he’s still got the waist movement, Cherry, with his latest Columbia Records release, Home Before Dark, produced by label creative chief Rick Rubin, set to debut at #1 next week for Steve Barnett and company with a one-week total of 125-130k.

That number, which could go higher with Mother’s Day weekend sales, should be more than enough to beat out Madonna’s WB release, Hard Candy, which appears on tap for between 85-95k after one week on top.

It’ll be the first chart-topping bow for Diamond in his four-decade-long career, based on one-day reports from all those music retailers recovered enough from Cinco de Mayo festivities to return our e-mails.

Diamond's last album for the label, 2005’s 12 Songs, the first one produced by Rubin, saw its sales stunted by Andy Lack’s rootkit fiasco, though it recovered enough to eventually go gold.

RCA American Idol alum Clay Aiken is On My Way Here, with loyal Claymates pushing his first-week sales total to 80-85k, just ahead of fellow J Records heartthrob Gavin DeGraw’s self-titled sophomore album with 75-80k.

Other chart newcomers include Show Dog Mercury country star Toby Keith’s 35 Biggest Hits, on target for 60-70k, followed by 143/Reprise pop crooner Josh Groban’s live CD/DVD package at 50-55k and a greatest hits compilation from Capitol Nashville’s latest Real Men of Genius subject Dierks Bentley at 30-35k.

The market was up 10% over last week, down 10% vs. the same week last year and down 11% year to date, which seems to be following the trajectory of George W.’s approval rating.