"This Masquerade" is a song written by Leon Russell. The song appeared on the B-side of the single for Russell's 1972 hit "Tight Rope" and on his Carney album.
The song has also been recorded by many other artists. Helen Reddy included it on her 1972 I am Woman album, and also included a live version on her 1978 Live in London album. The Carpenters recorded a version of the song and released it on their 1973 Now & Then album, as well as on the B-side of "Please Mr. Postman" in 1974. Shirley Bassey has also recorded this song, first released on her 1982 album All By Myself. Other artists to perform it include, Willie Nelson, Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '77, No Mercy, Robert Goulet, Bob Berg and Kenny Rogers. The song was also a top-ten pop and R&B hit for jazz guitarist/vocalist George Benson, who recorded it on his 1976 signature album Breezin'. It reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Hot Soul Singles chart. Benson won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year with his version of the song. Mia Martini recorded a live version in 1991. Saxophonist David Sanborn also recorded the song on his 1995 "Pearls" project.[1]
Leon Russell's version is part of the soundtrack for the Exorcist director William Friedkin's psychological thriller film Bug. The Bug Soundtrack is released on May 22, 2007. It also appeared in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness.
The Carpenters version was released on their album Now & Then (1973), and performed on TV with Ella Fitzgerald, the medley in which it was sung was subsequently released on the compilation album As Time Goes By.
The band Widespread Panic opened their Austin, TX 2009 Halloween encore with "This Masquerade."
Ukrainian vocal band ManSound has recorded a trilogy starting with this song in the album "If It’s Magic", 2004.[2]
[edit] References
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"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" performed by The 5th Dimension (Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamont McLemore, Ron Townson)
produced by Bones Howe (1970) |
"Bridge over Troubled Water" performed by Simon & Garfunkel (Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon)
produced by Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon & Roy Halee (1971) |
"It's Too Late" performed by Carole King
produced by Lou Adler (1972) |
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" performed by Roberta Flack
produced by Joel Dorn (1973) |
"Killing Me Softly with His Song" performed by Roberta Flack
produced by Joel Dorn (1974) |
"I Honestly Love You" performed by Olivia Newton-John
produced by John Farrar (1975) |
"Love Will Keep Us Together" performed by Captain & Tennille (Daryl Dragon, Toni Tennille)
produced by Daryl Dragon (1976) |
"This Masquerade" performed by George Benson
produced by Tommy LiPuma (1977) |
"Hotel California" performed by The Eagles (Don Felder, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner, Joe Walsh),
produced by Bill Szymczyk (1978) |
"Just the Way You Are" performed by Billy Joel
produced by Phil Ramone (1979) |
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