Songfacts says this regarding my first featured song, This Masquerade (song reference only).
Leon Russell wrote this song and originally released it as the B-side of his 1972 hit “Tight Rope.” The song is about a couple who are going through a masquerade, pretending that they are still in love, when in fact they are both unhappy with the relationship. It’s a lonely game they play.
The original release was more than 8 minutes long. Radio stations shied away from the lengthy recording for artist not well known. After the song edits, it was shortened to the above track and it was a Top 10 hit and Benson earned a Grammy Award for the record in 1977.
Up first today is a musician who I featured a couple times over the years. Let’s welcome once again to center stage the Argentinian jazz and bossa nova singer, songwriter, and producer…Karen Souza!
The next musician is a new discovery, an Armenian singer, songwriter, musician and record producer…Arpi Alto!
Polls close at noon (ET) on Oct. 21!
That concludes another segment of Battle of the Bands. We’re still on vacation. I’ll do my best to make my rounds and to publish the results next week. 
Don’t forget to leave your vote for your favorite artist in comments.
Please check out the other battles underway today. Participants are listed in my side bar beneath the BOTB banner. Please consider joining me tomorrow morning for Monday’s Music Moves Me. This is CAAC signing off, have a bandtastic day! X
X, Cathy
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Karen Souza nailed this… Matter of fact, it is the best recording I have heard from her.
I didn’t know that tune but I think April did a better rendition.
This song is unfamiliar and both contenders did a good job. That said, Arpi Alto’s vocals grabbed me from the first note, while Karen was a bit underwhelming. Arpi for the win!
I listen twice but I decided on Arpi who has a sensual tone to her voice. She reminded me of Julie London. Arpi gets my vote
Both groups are great but I like Arpi Alto’s voice better. My vote goes to Arpi Alto.
Your comment was thrown into my spam folder and I just saw it. I’m sorry ’bout that, Eugi!
No worries, Cathy.
CAThy!
Great song choice! I’ve never heard even one rendition of this song that I did not like.
And, dang, these are two really close competitors. (My favorite version ever is by Karen Carpenter. I wish you would have included her recording, as it would have made voting easier on me.)
I felt that, maybe, the piano sounded a bit too ponderous in Karen Souza’s version; and Arpi Alto’s vocals are just too darn good to vote against.
Arpi gets my vote in this one.
~ D-FensDogG
The second one grew on me after the first few lines, but I still liked Karen Souza just a tiny smidge better.
I liked both of these, but liked Arpi Alto better. I liked her voice a lot.
My vote is Apri Alto
Such a great song. Leon Russell’s “Carny” album was a very popular one amongst my Tennessee friends back in the early 70s. I bought a copy on CD about 20 or so years ago when I was building my collection of classic music. George Benson also had a great version and his cassette got frequent play when I was on the road in the eighties.
Both of the versions you present are excellent as well as quite similar which makes choosing a bit difficult. I like the vocal and instrumentals of the second version just a bit better, but it’s close.
Give my vote to Arpi Alto.
I’ve got my Battle up as well.
Lee