726 Elton John - Honky Chateau (1972)

 726 Elton John - Honky Chateau (1972)

Studio Album - Light Rock


About the Act:

Sir Elton John was born Reg Dwight in 1947, and since 1967 has had one of the most successful musical careers in the world. He has released over 30 albums, sold over 300 million records, and recorded the best-selling UK and US single ever with "Candle in the wind 1997." He is a friend to royals and founder of the Elton John AIDS foundation.

The songs he sings (mostly) are famously co-written by Bernie Taupin, who writes the lyrics.

About the Album:

This was his fifth studio album, and the first of a consecutive run that went to No 1 in the US. It was also the first to significantly be recorded with his touring band.

My History with this Album:

I acquired a collection of Elton John albums a few years ago, but doubt I have previously listened to it more than twice before. I know the hit Rocket Man really well.

Review:

The early 70s was a really fertile time for music, and this type of thing was hugely popular, I think of it as "Singer-Songwriter" because there was an explosion of people who were singer-songwriters who were in the lighter end of rock, but a bit too serious to be pop. Elton John only three-quarters qualifies as a singer-songwriter, as he is the singer, but only half of the song writing team, alongside Bernie Taupin.

Musically, this is as you might expect from that description, there are faster, more upbeat songs (Honky Cat, the opener, is a great example) and slower ballads (Rocket Man is a fine example). It's rich and varied and expressive. Musically this is not just my home town, it's my home street, classic rock combinations with classic rock production, sometimes nuanced, sometimes funky, there's nods to blues and country, and it's well-played and well-produced. I really got into it as I listened, it is a thing of beauty to be honest, especially the first side.

The singing is great, well-performed. You would not know, if you didn't know, that Elton was not the lyricist. The music is strong and of course the piano playing is a major feature, and well-done. The subject matter is varied and interesting, and I don't feel the need to delve any deeper into that. They are songs with words, and some are quite serious, but some are more fun.

For a long time, Elton John was a bit of a blind spot for me, not that I didn't like what I knew of his, I did, but I never got any of his albums, not even Goodbye Yellow Brick Road which seemed to be an obligatory part of everybody's collection at the time. It was only quite recently that I got a collection of his albums, and I have enjoyed them. One of the great things about doing these reviews is that it makes me listen with more attention, and this album really rewarded that. I love it.

8.7/10

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2ei2X6ghPnw7YRwQtAH075

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL09E51AFB84C26FB1

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honky_Ch%C3%A2teau



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