Honky Château [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Elton John | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 14, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000001EGE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,514 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #28 in Music > Music Deals > $8.99 and Under
  • #37 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Contemporary
  • #82 in Music > Pop > Soft Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

By 1972, Elton John was already a rising star in America, although most casual listeners still identified him as part of the singer/songwriter explosion, thanks to the success of "Your Song" and "Levon." Honky Château changed all that, beginning with the success of "Honky Cat," a rousing New Orleans-ish R&B powerhouse that kicks off this terrific collection of songs. This was the album that first revealed John as a pure-pop craftsman, and he's all over the musical map on this set, moving from country-ish rock to blues-based rockers. But the best things here still might be two gorgeous ballads: "Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters" (displaying the young vocalist at his best) and the hit single "Rocket Man" (which had many rock fans debating which was the better space odyssey of the day--this or Bowie's). And lyricist Bernie Taupin was revealing a new, slightly darker side here via tunes like "I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself." --Bill Holdship

Product Description

Japanese-only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) paper sleeve pressing of this classic album from the British singer/songwriter and entertainer, originally released in 1972. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Includes one bonus track. Universal. 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Albums of 1972: No. 2, June 1, 2005

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Honky Château (Audio CD)

This is my favorite Elton John album. It was also his first U.S. No. 1 album, and the first time he used his touring band of Nigel Olsson (drums), Dee Murray (guitar) and Davey Johnstone (bass) as a recording unit.

Along with lyricist Bernie Taupin, Elton presents a joyous--even fun--collection of songs. Even when the subject is suicide ("I Think I'm Going To Kill Myslef"), the music is upbeat. You have to love a song with a tap dance solo! [Favorite line: "If you want to save my life/Brigitte Bardot gotta come and see me every night."]

Of course there were the hits: "Honky Cat" and "Rocket Man." But each song bristles with energy, like "Hercules," "Amy" and "Susie (Dramas)." Of course, there are a handful of ballads, like "Salvation" and "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" just to mix things up a bit.

In addition, Elton tried some new things on this album. Electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty is brought on board for a couple tracks ("Mellow" and "Amy"). And in addition to playing guitar, Davey Johnstone plays banjo on "Rocket Man" as well as mandolin on "Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters." And there are no drums on this latter track. The only bonus track is an absurdly fast version of "Slave."

While Elton would go on to have even bigger hits and better selling albums, this is the one I return to time and again. ESSENTIAL

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Pop Artist of the 70s, June 11, 2006

By 

Stewart "eltonfan76" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Honky Château (Audio CD)

This is where Elton's legendary string of hits began. "Honky Chateau" would become the first of 7 straight #1 albums to hit the charts between 1972-1975: a truly dizzying output of music given its overall popularity and quality. And to think, Elton was prepared to hang up his recording career if this album failed...

Davey Johnstone formally joined Dee and Nigel in Elton's band. Jean-Luc Ponty added his string arrangements and Gus Dudgeon acted as producer. They recorded this album in a castle in France named the Chateau d'Herouville. Curiously, the music that emanated from those session had nothing to do with the lofty orchestral arrangements of previous efforts like "Madman" or "Elton John". This album was a pure rocker, many of the tracks invested with a Southern rock feel, only more streamlined and radio-friendly.

Elton's piano work on "Honky Cat" is masterful. "I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself" is both comical and melodramatic as Elton's shifts between the sorrowful lament of the chorus to ragtime and tap-dancing. "Salvation" comes as close to an anthem as anything Elton's ever written. Then there are tremendous rock songs on here, like "Susie" and the powerful "Hercules". The bonus track of "Slave" invests the original laid-back country recording with pure fire on the piano.

But what most people will no doubt remember most on this album is the classic hit "Rocketman" and the lesser-known and absolutely beautiful "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters". This album was the emergence of Elton as the greatest singer/songwriter of his day.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Like Trying To Drink Whiskey From A Bottle Of Wine, May 17, 2002

By 

David Bradley "David Bradley" (Sterling, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Honky Château (Audio CD)

One of the true classics of Elton's prolific early period and one of the greatest piano records in all of Pop, HONKY CHATEAU has stood the test of time, remaining fresh and less dated than many of its contemporaries.

Except for "Mellow." Yech.

But the high points of this CD are many: "Honky Cat," "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," the always fantastic "Rocket Man," and the overlooked "Hercules," which really would have fit in better on DON'T SHOOT ME I'M ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER.

At this point in his career Elton could have had hits (and good ones at that) if he'd been singing the phone book. Luckily for us Bernie Taupin was writing great lyrics. Taupin gets the occasional jab from rock critics; I couldn't disagree with them more. Taupin knew how to touch people (people my age anyway) with a few carefully chosen phrases. Did he spell it out like Lennon or Townshend? No. Did he know how to speak to his audience? Obviously, yes.

A great LP.