All of these early EJ shm-cd's are expensive, but they are getting even more so of late, because I suspect supplies are dwindling, and the Japanese music corporations rarely repress. I popped for only 3 of them, and posted reviews for _Don't Shoot Me..._ and _Madman..._ under those respective releases. Like those two, I had to have this because I despise the Stereo sound produced by the SACD versions that are pushing two decades in age now, although their surround sound mixes by Greg Penny are very fine indeed. But sometimes you just don't have access to a den-full of audio equipment, and you still want an early Elton fix.
All of these are sourced from the 1970s Gus Dudgeon mixes, and WOW do they use each one to maximum effect! I suspected that _Honky Chateau_ would show less improvement in sound quality than the other 2, because my ears, at least, told me that previous editions of that title had come closer to doing it justice. Well, it turns out that that's true on some of it, but definitely NOT on all of it! For example, the brass stabs that are peppered throughout "Honky Cat" cut even deeper than I'd ever heard before - some of them are even a bit abrasive here. They're NOT distorted, they're just real horns blown by real musicians. And on the rockier cuts like "Suzie", "Amy" and "Hercules", when the 'classic' EJB gets cooked up a bit, you can hear clearly what a cool rhythm section Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson made together. It has ultra-excellent resolution everywhere, but no loss of the compelling and satisfying soundstage that Gus Dudgeon production was noted for.
It's by far the best version of this title I've ever heard in plain old 2.0 Stereo. If you're wondering whether the improvement justifies the freight, just don't wait for it (them) to go OOP and double in price overnight. And as with all discs made with shm technology, run it silently in your player about 10 times before actually listening. Doing that has always increased my satisfaction with these (pricey) purchases.
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Honky Chateau
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Honky Chateau
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Product details
- Package Dimensions : 4.9 x 3.9 x 0.5 inches; 3.2 ounces
- Manufacturer : MCA
- Date First Available : January 20, 2007
- Label : MCA
- ASIN : B000MTNZCO
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #163,816 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #4,708 in Pop Singer-Songwriters
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
239 global ratings
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021
- Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024This arrived today. The addition of cardboard to the shipping package is appreciated.
Good timing on the shipping.
Not to mention: This is an incredibly good mix of an amazing album. A highlight of the era.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2021My first of a number of Elton John SACDs produced and re-mixed in to a 5.1 channel format by Greg Penny. You start with excellent, classic music from John's 1970s catalogue. You hand it over to someone who takes the time to capture quality transfers of the original multitrack and then re-mix them with an ear to capturing what original producer Gus Dugeon's intent was... but... in a multichannel version. Vocals mixed up front (and all by themselves in the center channel), with the rhythm section in the front left & right and over dubs (back up vocals, brass sections, some solo work) mixed in the rears.
I love this recording. I've since purchased the SACD of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Captain Fantastic...". Greg Penny has done amazing work. I'm just sad that these are currently out of print. I was grateful to find this one at a price I could afford. Thank you to the seller.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2014For those of you who resist adding Elton John to your collection (as I did) because he's too "pop", too schmaltzy, or whatever you want to call it, this is a tolerable place to start. The download is only a 5-spot, and most every track rocks---not Led-like, but you won't be picturing this guy in a duck suit while listening. Includes the hits "Rocket Man" and the jazz-country "Honky Cat", but also check out the happy-go-lucky "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself" and "Hercules", which presages "Crocodile Rock" but without that song's "Happy Days" campiness. Enjoy!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2014This is another of the (5) 2004 SACD discs that I purchased, and now I might even like this better than Madman Across the Water. This felt heavy to me and loved the song structure. At $17.15, I certainly have no regrets.
Performance: As disc was recorded in a Chateau there are horns but no strings (one electric violin mostly on Amy) which is my reason for a more heavier sound. Songs are great, toe tapping through out. Super great performance by Elton and band.
Stereo Sonics: Full and rich, sounds fantastic at home and in car.
Multichannel Sonics: This is the point of this disc. Absolutely great, Greg Penny nailed it again. I am so happy as to his placement of the cowbell front/center in the song called Susie. I find it so irritating when the professional multi channel mixers put these small percussion instruments tapping away in one rear speaker. The song Hercules with the two acoustic guitars starting and staying in the rears, brilliant. This disc is mixed to my tastes, very happy.
Packaging: As with all these 2004 discs packaging is great. Plastic jewel case with rounded corners. Original photos, lyrics, and musician credits. Great liner notes by John Tobler 1995.
Again, glad I have another Elton John classic.
Top reviews from other countries
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ぐんぢReviewed in Japan on April 2, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars 在庫があったら即購入をお勧めします
中々の高値で推移していて、しかも在庫もなく在庫が表示されるたびに注文して発送後に行方不明にてキャンセルを繰り返す事二度。
この度、ようやく中古品で手に入れることができました。
このエルトン・ジョンのsurround SACDシリーズ、どのアルバムも素晴らしいのです。
このアルバムも他の盤と比べても期待に違わない素晴らしい5.1chで、大変満足しております。
コーラスワークの広がりが、浮遊緩をも感じさせてとても気持ちが良い。
たとえ中古であっても在庫表示が出たら購入することをお勧めいたします。
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AndreaReviewed in Italy on November 5, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Capolavoro di Elton John!
Un grande LP, il settimo album di Elton John, pubblicato nel 1972. Un LP da avere per gli amanti del genere. Troviamo grandi pezzi come: Rocket Man e Honky Cat.
- Mystro one! Read my reviews!Reviewed in Canada on June 20, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars love the sound of the piano and the horns/sax
sacd's sound unreal on my 9 channel 6 sub system,,,,love the sound of the piano and the horns/sax!
- green chameleonReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't actually like Elton John before buying this album.
Only really decided to give it try as it's an SACD and cheap, also liked the fact I only recognised one or two tracks(Rocketman being the most obvious) so I knew the none of his tracks that have irritated me throughout the years were on there. Thankfully I was in for a really nice surprise with this album, much prefer his older stuff to his more recent typical disney style drivel that I hate!
The multichannel mix is pretty superb, nice warm sound yet at the same time crisp & clear, actually one of my favourite SACDs in terms of sound quality(not quite up there with my favourites but not far off), I was so pleased with it that I went on to pick up Captian Fantastic at an even bigger bargian price(seeing the reviews and noticing it too was of a similar time), must say I much prefer Honky Chateau to CF, it just doesn't have the warmth of this album IMO.
Highly recommended SACD for anyone with even a remote interest in Elton John, even for those that don't(as I didn't), should fit in well to anyones high-res collection.
- S GReviewed in Canada on March 23, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
SACD surround is phenomenal!