Elton John - "Honky Chateau" (1972) - Uni Records
Hey there Honky Cats,
We're taking it easy tonight and enjoying some vintage Elton John on the turntable!
Honky Chateau is Elton John's fifth studio album as well as his fifth collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin.
Amazing fucking record! Arguably his best.
A very warm sounding record in terms of overall sound and structure. Even though the lyrical themes throughout seem to be focused on isolation, loneliness, suicide, the need for salvation, et cetera, the LP plays like a big, toasty glass of dark red wine in a dimly-lit, smoky room.
Side One kicks off with the funky & upbeat "Honky Cat", followed by the easy-like-Sunday-morning "Mellow", the tongue-in-cheekish ditty, "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself", and the could've-have-been-a-huge-hit, "Susie (Dramas)".
Side One concludes with the familiar, but no-less-astounding, "Rocket Man". A song we've heard a thousand times on the radio, in movies, et cetera, and still think its great!
Its no Shatner, but it'll do!
Side Two kicks off with the soulful & gospel-y "Salvation", a little preachy and overwrought but still pretty good.
With a bassline reminiscent of "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay", the acoustic "Slave" is next and features some excellent pedal steel work courtesy of John's guitar player, Scotsman Davey Johnstone.
The funky, sleazy-sounding "Amy" follows and features some excellent electric violin soloing courtesy of Jean-Luc Ponty. Boy... this album just refuses to quit...
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is probably our favorite Elton John track of all time! Just a beautiful, sad & perplexing song about being lost (and alone) (and overwhelmed) in New York City. Plus we'll never get the image out of our minds of Kate Hudson overdosing in her hotel room to this song in Almost Famous!
Amazing song, really!
The album ends with the O.K. Hercules (which also might be about a cat, which means this album is bookended by songs about felines!)
From start to finish Honky Chateau is a classic of 70's rock & roll. If he plays his cards right, this Elton John guy might have a career in him!
RATING: 5 thanks the lord that there's people out there like you out of 5
We're taking it easy tonight and enjoying some vintage Elton John on the turntable!
Honky Chateau is Elton John's fifth studio album as well as his fifth collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin.
Amazing fucking record! Arguably his best.
A very warm sounding record in terms of overall sound and structure. Even though the lyrical themes throughout seem to be focused on isolation, loneliness, suicide, the need for salvation, et cetera, the LP plays like a big, toasty glass of dark red wine in a dimly-lit, smoky room.
Side One kicks off with the funky & upbeat "Honky Cat", followed by the easy-like-Sunday-morning "Mellow", the tongue-in-cheekish ditty, "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself", and the could've-have-been-a-huge-hit, "Susie (Dramas)".
Side One concludes with the familiar, but no-less-astounding, "Rocket Man". A song we've heard a thousand times on the radio, in movies, et cetera, and still think its great!
Its no Shatner, but it'll do!
Side Two kicks off with the soulful & gospel-y "Salvation", a little preachy and overwrought but still pretty good.
With a bassline reminiscent of "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay", the acoustic "Slave" is next and features some excellent pedal steel work courtesy of John's guitar player, Scotsman Davey Johnstone.
The funky, sleazy-sounding "Amy" follows and features some excellent electric violin soloing courtesy of Jean-Luc Ponty. Boy... this album just refuses to quit...
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is probably our favorite Elton John track of all time! Just a beautiful, sad & perplexing song about being lost (and alone) (and overwhelmed) in New York City. Plus we'll never get the image out of our minds of Kate Hudson overdosing in her hotel room to this song in Almost Famous!
Amazing song, really!
The album ends with the O.K. Hercules (which also might be about a cat, which means this album is bookended by songs about felines!)
From start to finish Honky Chateau is a classic of 70's rock & roll. If he plays his cards right, this Elton John guy might have a career in him!
RATING: 5 thanks the lord that there's people out there like you out of 5
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