"THIS MASQUERADE"-WHICH VERSION DO YOU PREFER?

[mr J.]

"This Masquerade"-which version do you prefer: Sergio Mendes'(1974),Karen Carpenter's(1973) or George Benson's(1976).

 

[Elisabeth]

Although I like (and have) the song by all three artists mentioned I must say my favorite is the one by Sergio Mendes. So I voted Mendes....

 

[Brasil_Nut]

#1 would be Karen Carpenter's version. #2 would be Sergio's and #3 would be Benson.

Karen's is sophisticated and sultry. Sergio's version, with Bonnie Bowden on vocals, is pensive and thoughtful. George Benson has a sensational version as well, but when it comes down to a choice, Karen wins hands down (IMHO).

Jon

 

[Captain Bacardi]

I say none of the above. I prefer Herb Alpert's version from Coney Island!


Capt. Bacardi

 

[Mike Blakesley]

Karen, by a mile. Although I would have put "Carpenters" in the poll, because her version owes almost as much to the arrangement by Richard as it does to her vocal, IMHO.

I did not like Herb's version of this one. One of the few times he did not "nail" a song in my book.

 

[Chris May]

Carpenters!

 

[Mark-T]

Karen- but Richards arrangement sparkles!

 

[Trevor]

I don't really like the song. So... I voted for the Brasil'77 version. I like the triangle percussion in it.

 

[W.B.]

My vote was for George Benson's. His was the version I was first exposed to, therefore I gravitate towards it. To say nothing of its being a pop-crossover breakthrough for him.

 

[thetijuanataxi]

I'm with the Cap'n on this one. HERB RULES!

David,
NP: Coney Island by Herb and the gang........

 

[jazzdre]

my favorite hands down,is the george benson version.so much soul,so much passion,combined with rich orchestration,it just doesn't get much better than this. i also like herb's version of the tune,but it's george's version that does it for me.

 

[Steven J. Gross]

Mendes