Honky Château

Honky Château
Name	Honky Château
Artist	Elton John
Released	May 19, 1972
Recorded	January 1972
Genre	Rock music, Piano rock
Length	45:15
Label	Uni Records, DJM Records
Producer	Gus Dudgeon

Honky Château. Recorded at the Château d'Hérouville in France, this album marked a significant milestone in the career of Elton John, featuring the hit singles Rocket Man and Honky Cat. The album's success can be attributed to the collaboration between Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin, as well as the production skills of Gus Dudgeon. With its unique blend of rock music and piano rock, Honky Château has become a classic in the discography of Elton John, often mentioned alongside other notable works like Madman Across the Water and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Background

The idea to record at the Château d'Hérouville was conceived by Gus Dudgeon, who had previously worked with Elton John on albums like Elton John (album) and Tumbleweed Connection. The Château d'Hérouville had been used by other notable artists, including David Bowie, Cat Stevens, and T. Rex (band). The choice of location was influenced by the desire to escape the distractions of London and focus on the recording process, much like The Beatles had done at Abbey Road Studios and George Harrison at Friar Park. The album's title, Honky Château, was inspired by the Château d'Hérouville itself, with Elton John and Bernie Taupin drawing inspiration from the château's unique atmosphere, similar to how Pink Floyd drew inspiration from Cambridge and Syd Barrett.

Recording

The recording of Honky Château took place in January 1972, with Elton John and his band, consisting of Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, and Nigel Olsson, gathering at the Château d'Hérouville to lay down the tracks. The album was produced by Gus Dudgeon, who had worked with Elton John on several previous occasions, including the production of Your Song and Take Me to the Pilot. The recording process was relatively quick, with most tracks being completed in a few takes, much like the approach used by The Rolling Stones during the recording of Exile on Main St. and The Who during the recording of Who's Next. The album features a range of instruments, including piano, guitar, and bass guitar, all of which were played by Elton John and his band, with additional contributions from Jean-Luc Ponty and Larry Smith (musician).

Music and lyrics

The music on Honky Château is characterized by its eclectic mix of rock music, piano rock, and folk rock, with Elton John's piano playing and vocal delivery taking center stage. The lyrics, written by Bernie Taupin, are often poetic and storytelling in style, with songs like Rocket Man and Honky Cat featuring vivid imagery and narrative themes, similar to the style of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. The album also features a range of guest musicians, including Jean-Luc Ponty and Larry Smith (musician), who add to the album's diverse sound, much like the contributions of George Martin to The Beatles and Quincy Jones to Michael Jackson. Other notable influences on the album include The Beach Boys, The Kinks, and The Animals.

Release and reception

Honky Château was released on May 19, 1972, to critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising the album's eclectic mix of styles and Elton John's vocal and piano performances. The album was a commercial success, reaching the top of the UK Albums Chart and US Billboard 200 chart, and spawning the hit singles Rocket Man and Honky Cat. The album has since been certified gold by the RIAA and has been included on various list of greatest albums of all time, including those compiled by Rolling Stone, NME, and The Guardian, alongside other notable albums like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Dark Side of the Moon.

Track listing

The track listing for Honky Château is as follows: 1. Honky Cat 2. Mellow 3. I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself 4. Susie (Dramas) 5. Rocket Man 6. Salvation 7. Slave 8. Amy 9. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters 10. Hercules

Personnel

The personnel involved in the recording of Honky Château include: * Elton John: piano, vocal * Davey Johnstone: guitar * Dee Murray: bass guitar * Nigel Olsson: drums * Gus Dudgeon: production * Jean-Luc Ponty: violin * Larry Smith (musician): congas * David Hentschel: engineer * Bernie Taupin: lyrics * Paul Buckmaster: arranger * Del Newman: arranger * The London Symphony Orchestra: strings * The English Chamber Orchestra: strings

Category:Elton John albums