Elton John was the biggest pop star of the '70s, grabbing headlines and generating hits throughout the world. As it turned out, this was merely the first act in a remarkable career that kept him at the top of the charts for over 25 years. He charted a Top 40 hit single every year between 1970 and 1996, a sign that he knew how to both change with the times and mold the times to fit him. Initially marketed as a singer/songwriter, John soon revealed he could craft Beatlesque pop and pound out rockers with equal aplomb. He could dip into soul, disco, and country, as well as classic pop balladry and even progressive rock. His versatility, combined with his effortless melodic skills, dynamic charisma, and flamboyant stage shows, became his calling cards and many of his songs became contemporary pop standards. Honky Château, released in 1972, is the fifth studio album released by Elton John. It was titled after the 18th century French chateau where it was recorded, Château d' Hérouville. The album reached number one in the US, the first of seven consecutive US number one albums for Elton John. In 2012, the album was ranked number 359 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It was certified gold in July 1972 and platinum in October 1995 by the RIAA. This was the final Elton John album on the Uni label in the US and Canada before MCA consolidated all of its various labels under the MCA brand. This and John's earlier Uni albums were later reissued on MCA Records. Two singles were released worldwide from Honky Chateau, «Rocket Man» and «Honky Cat». This album marks the beginning of John's transition from a singer/songwriter to a more rock 'n' roll style. It was also the first album to feature John's road band of Dee Murray on bass and Nigel Olsson on drums (along with new member Davey Johnstone on electric & acoustic guitars and other fretted instruments) as the core group of musicians. Considerably lighter than Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau is a rollicking collection of ballads, rockers, blues, country-rock, and soul songs. On paper, it reads like an eclectic mess, but it plays as the most focused and accomplished set of songs Elton John and Bernie Taupin ever wrote. John is at the top of his form, crafting immaculate pop songs with memorable melodies and powerful hooks. While Taupin's lyrics aren't much more comprehensible than before, John delivers them with skill and passion, making them feel more substantial than they are. But what makes Honky Chateau a classic is the songcraft, and the way John ties disparate strands of roots music into distinctive and idiosyncratic pop - it's one of the finest collections of mainstream singer/songwriter pop of the early '70s. Elton John - Honky Château [1972] (Full Album) Tracklist All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Α1. Honky Cat – 5:13 Α2. Mellow – 5:32 Α3. I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself – 3:35 Α4. Susie (Dramas) – 3:25 Α5. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) – 4:45 Β1. Salvation – 3:58 Β2. Slave – 4:22 Β3. Amy – 4:03 Β4. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters – 5:00 Β5. Hercules – 5:20 Personnel Elton John: vocals, piano (tracks 2–6 and tracks 8–10), acoustic and electric pianos (track 1), organ (tracks 2, 4), harmonium (track 6)/Davey Johnstone: guitars (tracks 2–10), banjo (track 1, 7), steel guitar (track 7) mandolin (track 9), backing vocals (tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 10)/Dee Murray: bass guitar, backing vocals (tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 10)/Nigel Olsson: drums (tracks 1–8 and track 10), congas (track 7), tambourine, backing vocals (tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 10) Additional musicians Jason Barnhart (fr.): trumpet (track 1)/Jacques Bolognesi (fr.): trombone (track 1)/Jean-Louis Chautemps, Alain Hatot: saxophones (track 1)/Jean-Luc Ponty – electric violin (tracks 2, 8)/«Legs» Larry Smith: tap dance (track 3)/David Hentschel: –ARP synthesizer (tracks 5, 10) (credited as "David Henschel" on sleeve)/Ray Cooper: congas (track 8)/Gus Dudgeon: rhino whistle and backing vocals (track 10)/Madeline Bell, Liza Strike, Larry Steel, Tony Hazzard: additional backing vocals (track 6) Production Producer: Gus Dudgeon/Engineer: Ken Scott/Remastering: Tony Cousins/Brass arrangement: Gus Dudgeon/Cover photo: Ed Caraeff/Liner notes: John Tobler/Editing: Gus Skinas/Digital transfers: Ricky Graham/Surround mix: Greg Penny Released: 19 May 1972 Recorded: January 1972 Studio: Château d' Hérouville, Hérouville, France Length: 45:15 Label: Uni (US) DJM (UK) Producer: Gus Dudgeon Genre: Rock DISCLAIMER: I do not make any profit from this video. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to the respective artists and the record companies. It is uploaded for educational and promotional purposes only. I do not own, nor claim to own anything contained in this video. -Video Upload powered by https://www.Tun

• published: 01 Jul 2017
• views: 35558