Honky Château

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Honky Château
Studio album by Elton John
Released	May 19, 1972
Recorded	Château d'Hérouville, Pontoise, France, January 1972
Genre	Rock
Length	48:23
Label	MCA Records
Producer(s)	Gus Dudgeon
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Robert Christgau (A-) link Rolling Stone (not rated) link
Elton John chronology
Madman Across the Water (1971)	Honky Château (1972)	Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)

Honky Château is the sixth album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1972 (see 1972 in music). In 2003, the album was ranked number 357 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Elton takes some chances on this album. This is the first album since his debut (Empty Sky) not to feature strings on any songs. It also marks the beginning of his transition from a singer/songwriter in the mould of James Taylor or Carole King to a harder rocking sound that would become more evident on such albums as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Caribou & Rock of the Westies. The opening track Honky Cat is New Orleans funk track reminiscent of Dr. John and Allen Toussaint and features a three piece horn section.

Contents 1 Track listing 1.1 Bonus Track (1996 CD reissue) 2 Personnel 2.1 Additional personnel 3 Production 4 Charts 5 Certifications

[edit] Track listing

All songs written by John/Taupin.

1. "Honky Cat" – 5:13
2. "Mellow" – 5:33
3. "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself" – 3:35
4. "Susie (Dramas)" – 3:27
5. "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)" – 4:41
6. "Salvation" – 3:59
7. "Slave" – 4:23
8. "Amy" – 4:04
9. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" – 5:01
10. "Hercules" – 5:37

[edit] Bonus Track (1996 CD reissue)

1. "Slave" [Alternate Take] – 2:55

[edit] Personnel

• Elton John - organ, piano, keyboard, electric piano, vocals, background vocals
• Davey Johnstone - synthesizer, banjo, guitar, mandolin, vocals, background vocals
• Dee Murray - bass, background vocals
• Nigel Olsson - conga, drums, tambourine, background vocals

[edit] Additional personnel

• Madeline Bell - background vocals
• Jacques Bolognesi - trombone
• Jean-Louis Chautemps - saxophone
• Ray Cooper - conga
• Gus Dudgeon - background vocals, human whistle
• Chris Gavin - saxophone
• Dave Glover - bass
• Alain Hatot - saxophone
• Tony Hazzard - background vocals
• David Hentschel - synthesizer, keyboard
• Ivan Jullien - trumpet
• Jean-Luc Ponty - electric violin
• Legs Larry Smith - tap dance
• Larry Steele - background vocals
• Liza Strike - background vocals

[edit] 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

[edit] 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

[edit] Certifications

Organization	Level	Date
RIAA – USA	Gold	July 24, 1972
RIAA – USA	Platinum	October 11, 1995