Acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel performs Leon Russell's "This Masquerade" for the very first time in his career. With no practice, It was played at The Church Studio, Leon Russell's former recording studio. This impromptu rendition was a charming tribute to Leon, honoring his extraordinary musical abilities in the church that he converted into a recording studio in 1972.

"This Masquerade" was written by Leon Russell. It was originally recorded in 1972 by Leon 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.

Tommy Emmanuel, born in 1955, is an Australian guitarist that now lives in the USA.  He is often regarded as one of the greatest acoustic guitarists of all time and is known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances, and use of percussive effects on the instrument.  

Executive Producer and Interviewer: Teresa Knox
Cinematography and Editing: Matthew Simonson
Location: The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma

This Masquerade Lyrics:
Are we really happy here
With this lonely game we play?
Looking for words to say
Searching but not finding understanding anywhere
We're lost in a masquerade

Both afraid to say we're just too far away
From being close together from the start
We tried to talk it over but the words got in the way
We're lost inside this lonely game we play

Thoughts of leaving disappear
Every time I see your eyes
No matter how hard I try
To understand the reasons that we carry on this way
We're lost in a masquerade