(15) Elton John - Honky Château (1972)

"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

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 more rock 'n' roll 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 arranged by producer Gus Dudgeon. Also of note is the debut on record of the backing vocal combination of Johnstone, Murray and Olsson, who first added what would soon become their "trademark" sound to "Rocket Man". The trio's unique approach to arranging their backing vocal tracks would be a fixture on John's singles and albums for the next several years.

Track listing

01.  Honky Cat  (John, Taupin)  - 5:13

02.  Mellow  (John, Taupin)  - 5:32

03.  I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself  (John, Taupin)  - 3:35

04.  Susie (Dramas)  (John, Taupin)  - 3:25

05.  Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)  (John, Taupin)  - 4:45

06.  Salvation  (John, Taupin)  - 3:58

07.  Slave  (John, Taupin)  - 4:22

08.  Amy  (John, Taupin)  - 4:03

09.  Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters  (John, Taupin)  - 5:00

10.  Hercules  (John, Taupin)  - 5:20

Released:  19 May 1972

Recorded at:  Château d'Hérouville, Hérouville, France, January 1972

Genre:  Rock

Length:  45:15

Label:  DJM Records

Producer:  Gus Dudgeon

Personnel

Elton John - vocals, acoustic and electric pianos, organ

Davey Johnstone - guitars, banjo, mandolin, backing vocals

Dee Murray - bass guitar, backing vocals

Nigel Olsson - drums, congas, tambourine, backing vocals

Ivan Jullien - trumpet

Jacques Bolognesi - trombone

Jean-Louis Chautemps - saxophones

Alain Hatot - saxophones

Jean-Luc Ponty - electric violin

"Legs" Larry Smith - tap dance

David Hentschel - ARP synthesiser

Ray Cooper - congas

Gus Dudgeon - rhino whistle and backing vocals

Madeline Bell, Liza Strike, Larry Steel, Tony Hazzard - additional backing vocals