Honky Château
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Honky Château is the fifth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1972. In 2003, the album was ranked number 357 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[1] This was the final Elton John album on the Uni label in the US and Canada before he was transferred to the MCA label. This and Elton's earlier Uni albums were reissued on the MCA label.
Music
This is the first album since John's debut (Empty Sky) not to feature strings on any songs, except for violinist Jean-Luc Ponty on "Mellow" and "Amy". It also marks the beginning of his transition from a singer/songwriter in the mould of James Taylor, Leon Russell, or Carole King to a rock style that would become more evident on such albums as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Caribou and Rock of the Westies.
The opening track "Honky Cat" is a New Orleans funk track reminiscent of Dr. John and Allen Toussaint and features a four-piece horn section.
Critical appraisal
Jon Landau of Rolling Stone approved the original LP as "a rich, warm, satisfying album that stands head and shoulders above the morass of current releases".[2] Other reviews were likewise mostly positive. More recently, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic confirms that the album has stood the test of time by proclaiming that "it plays as the most focused and accomplished set of songs Elton John and Bernie Taupin ever wrote".[3]
Track listing
All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
- "Honky Cat" – 5:13
- "Mellow" – 5:32
- "I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself" – 3:35
- "Susie (Dramas)" – 3:25
- "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)" – 4:41
- "Salvation" – 3:58
- "Slave" – 4:22
- "Amy" – 4:03
- "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" – 5:00
- "Hercules" – 5:20
Bonus track (1995 CD reissue)
- "Slave" [Alternate take] – 2:53
Personnel
- Elton John – vocals, electric and acoustic pianos, organ on 2
- Dee Murray – bass, backing vocals on 3 5 7 9 11
- Davey Johnstone – guitars, banjo on 1 8, mandolins on 10 backing vocals on 3 5 7 9 11
- Nigel Olsson – drums, tambourine on 2 4, congas on 8, backing vocals on 3 5 7 9 11
Additional personnel
- Jacques Bolognesi – trombone on 1
- Ivan Julien – trumpet on 1
- Jean Louis Chautemps – saxophone on 1
- Alain Hatot – saxophone on 1
- Gus Dudgeon – brass arrangements on 1, rhino whistle on 11, backing vocals on 11
- Jean-Luc Ponty – electric violin on 2 9
- "Legs" Larry Smith – tap dance on 3
- David Hentschel – ARP synthesizer on 6, 11
- Madeline Bell – backing vocals on 7
- Lisa Strike – backing vocals on 7
- Larry Steel – backing vocals on 7
- Tony Hazzard – backing vocals on 7 11
- Ray Cooper – congas on 9
Production
- Producer: Gus Dudgeon
- Engineer: Ken Scott
- Mastering engineer: Legs Larry Smith
- Remastering: Tony Cousins
- Editing: Gus Skinas
- Digital transfers: Ricky Graham
- Surround mix: Greg Penny
- Brass arrangement: Gus Dudgeon
- Cover photo: Ed Caraeff
- Liner notes: John Tobler
Charts
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | UK Album Chart | 2 |
| 1972 | Billboard Pop Albums | 1 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Honky Cat | UK Singles Chart | 31 |
| 1972 | Honky Cat | Billboard Adult Contemporary | 6 |
| 1972 | Honky Cat | Billboard Pop Singles | 8 |
| 1972 | Rocket Man | UK Singles Chart | 2 |
| 1972 | Rocket Man | Billboard Pop Singles | 6 |
Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – USA | Gold | July 24 1972 |
| RIAA – USA | Platinum | October 11 1995 |
