Elton John - Honky Château Album

The Honky Chateau album features Elton John as more than just a singer/songwriter, but as a pure pop craftsman. He broke out with such great New Orleans-ish power R&B on "Honky Cat" and never looked back. This disc has Elton all over the musical map, moving with ease through country and blues rock and topping it all off with two beautiful ballads-- "Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters," featuring the young vocalist at his best, and the hit single "Rocket Man," about a space flight as fantastic as the one David Bowie went on. Even with some of Bernie Taupin's heavy lyrics (I Think I'm Going To Kill Myself"), the music remains fresh and upbeat. Elton may have had bigger hit albums, but this one remains essential.