Elton John: Honky Chateau

Elton John's Honky Château: VMP 50th Anniversary Edition Vinyl Review

Elton John's classic album "Honky Château" reached the half-century mark this year, prompting a 50th anniversary reissue. For this occasion, Vinyl Me, Please (VMP) released their own club edition, which warrants examination for both collectors and casual listeners alike.

VMP Club Edition: Style Over Substance?
Cut from the master tapes, this VMP exclusive is fundamentally identical to the standard 50th anniversary edition available to general consumers—with one key difference. As is typical for VMP releases, the record comes pressed on colored vinyl, creating a visually distinctive edition that separates it from the mass-market version.

This approach reveals much about VMP's business strategy. The club doesn't necessarily compete on price or superior sound quality; rather, they secure memberships through visual appeal and exclusivity. The colored vinyl editions serve as conversation pieces and collectibles, appealing to those who value the aesthetic component of record collecting.

Sound Quality: Decent, Not Exceptional
In terms of sonic performance, the 50th anniversary reissue (both VMP and standard versions) delivers a reasonably good listening experience. While there are moments where the high frequencies become slightly emphasized, overall it represents a decent mass-production release. However, audiophiles seeking the ultimate listening experience should temper their expectations—this is not an audiophile-grade pressing.
When compared to the original 1972 UK release, the vintage pressing exhibits a fuller, more dynamic, and warmer sound profile that the new editions can't quite match.

Physical Specifications
Both the VMP edition and the standard 50th anniversary release utilize 180g vinyl with attractive packaging. By contrast, the original UK pressing was manufactured on 140g black vinyl. This comparison serves as a reminder that vinyl weight does not inherently translate to superior sound quality. The critical factors remain the source material, mastering decisions, and manufacturing quality.

The Vinyl Verdict: Choose Based on Your Priorities
For collectors who appreciate colored vinyl and the visual dimension of record collecting, this VMP edition offers a compelling option. However, if your primary concern is simply enjoying the music of "Honky Château" at a reasonable price point, the standard 50th anniversary release represents the better value—identical in sound quality but lower in cost.

This release ultimately reinforces that while visual appeal and collectibility have their place in vinyl culture, they should be recognized as separate considerations from audio performance. The VMP edition provides a good alternative to hunting down an original pressing, but its unique selling points are aesthetic rather than sonic. 💵

💰 Invest
 💵 Consider
💸 Pass