Honky Château

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Honky Château
Honky Château cover
Studio album by Elton John
Released May 19, 1972 (UK)
May 26, 1972 (U.S.)
Recorded Château d'Hérouville, Pontoise, France, January 1972
Genre Piano Rock
Length 45:13
Label Uni (US/Canada)
DJM Records
Producer Gus Dudgeon
Professional reviews
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 fifth studio 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. This is 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.

Contents

[edit] Music

This is the first album since John's debut (Empty Sky) not to feature strings on any songs (except for featuring 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 or Carole King to a rock style that would become more evident on such albums as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Caribou & 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.

[edit] 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".[1] Other reviews were likewise mostly positive. More recently, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide 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".[2]

[edit] Track listing

All songs written by John/Taupin.

[edit] Side one

  1. "Honky Cat" – 5:13
  2. "Mellow" – 5:32
  3. "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself" – 3:35
  4. "Susie (Dramas)" – 3:25
  5. "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)" – 4:41

[edit] Side two

  1. "Salvation" – 3:58
  2. "Slave" – 4:22
  3. "Amy" – 4:03
  4. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" – 5:00
  5. "Hercules" – 5:20

[edit] Bonus track (1995 CD reissue)

  1. "Slave" [Alternate take] – 2:53

[edit] Personnel

[edit] Additional personnel

[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
Preceded by
Exile on Main St. by The Rolling Stones		 Billboard 200 number-one album
July 15 - August 18, 1972		 Succeeded by
Chicago V by Chicago
v • d • e
Elton John
Elton John • Guy Babylon • Bob Birch • Davey Johnstone • John Mahon • Nigel Olsson
Tony Murray • Roger Pope • Barry Morgan • Dee Murray • Ray Cooper • James Newton Howard • Caleb Quaye • Kenny Passarelli • Charlie Morgan
Studio albums
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DVDs
The Very Best of Elton John • One Night Only: Greatest Hits Live at Madison Square Garden • Live in Barcelona • To Russia with Elton • Dream Ticket
Tribute album
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