June 3, 2022     —–     Chart #146

Hello Music Friends,

Have you seen us on Facebook? CLICK HERE to like our page. 1972 is the year for today’s Chart of the Week. “This Masquerade” is a song written by American singer and musician Leon Russell. It was originally recorded in 1972 by Russell for his album Carney and as a B-side for the album’s hit single “Tight Rope”. The song was then covered on Helen Reddy’s 1972 album, I Am Woman. It was then recorded by American vocal duo, the Carpenters, for their 1973 album Now & Then and as the B-side of the Carpenters’s single “Please Mr. Postman”. Three years later, “This Masquerade” was recorded by American singer and guitarist George Benson, who released it on his 1976 album, Breezin’. Benson’s version, featuring Jorge Dalto on piano, was released as a single and became the first big hit of his career.  In fact it was the first single ever released by Benson. Benson’s rendition is the only charting version of the song in the U.S. It reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Hot Soul Singles chart. On the Cash Box Top 100 it reached #12. “This Masquerade” was most successful in Canada, where it reached number 8 on the Pop Singles chart as well as the Adult Contemporary chart.

In 1977, Benson’s version won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year, while it was nominated for Song of the Year and for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male.

Leon Russell:  https://youtu.be/oy_-_JgXA1A

The Carpenters (believe it or not): https://youtu.be/5GChYjK8rIk

And one more – a basa nova version by Sergio Mendez and Brasil 77:  https://youtu.be/POb_V796904

Keep rockin my friends,

Stan