Following a productive period in Jamaica, Elton John and his team, including engineer David Hentschel, reconvened at the Château d’Hérouville in France. This 18th-century estate, located a short distance from Paris, had previously hosted Elton for two album recordings and would become the birthplace of tracks for what they initially thought would be titled Silent Movies And Talking Pictures. However, these sessions in May would soon reveal themselves to be far more prolific, ultimately contributing to the iconic double album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
The recording process commenced on May 7th, utilizing the studio’s MCI 416 console and 16-track Ampex tape machine. The initial focus was on laying down tracks for three songs that would ultimately form the first side of the album. Over the subsequent two weeks at Château d’Hérouville, Elton and the band expanded their repertoire, working on songs conceived in Jamaica alongside new compositions born organically from these sessions. Hentschel recounts a memorable breakfast scene where lyricist Bernie Taupin presented new lyrics. Seated at a piano in the dining room, Elton spontaneously began composing, an event Hentschel strongly believes marked the genesis of Candle In The Wind. This spontaneous creativity underscored the fertile environment of the Château, fostering an incredibly productive period for songwriting and recording.
It rapidly became clear that the volume of material exceeded the scope of a single album. As producer Gus Dudgeon explained in a 1993 interview, the Jamaica sessions had already yielded a wealth of songs due to Elton’s exceptional creative energy. This momentum continued in France, with Elton consistently composing new material at the piano before each recording session. This remarkable output led to an abundance of songs, naturally paving the way for a double album release. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ultimately comprised 17 songs, totaling 76 minutes of music, with additional tracks emerging as B-sides to the album’s singles, further demonstrating the sheer volume of work created during this period.
Following the foundational recording at Château d’Hérouville, which included basic tracks, guitar overdubs, lead, and backing vocals, the project transitioned to Trident Studios in London for the final stages. It was at Trident, the location of Elton’s previous album sessions, that Gus Dudgeon and David Hentschel undertook the mixing and refinement of the album. To further enrich the sound, percussionist Ray Cooper was enlisted to add tambourine to All The Girls Love Alice. Orchestral arrangements, a signature element of many Elton John albums, were crafted by Del Newman, who had a history with Elton dating back to his early demo sessions in 1968 when he was still known as Reg Dwight. Newman’s orchestral contributions graced six of the album’s tracks, adding depth and grandeur to the already rich sonic tapestry of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, solidifying its place as a landmark album in Elton John’s illustrious career.
