Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?

Subject: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Gulliver
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 09:06 PM

I was given an old tape of a recording of "This Masquerade" (written by Leon Russell), sung by a female with acoustic guitar backing. The only indication of the name of the singer is the word "Hilary", written on the cover.

Any idea who this singer might be? Nice voice...

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 04:09 AM

Hilary Spencer ?

Giok

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 06:10 AM

Wasn't me *grin*

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 06:23 AM

I thought of you Hils, but he did say it was an 'old' tape, so I immediately discounted you¦¬]
G

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 10:35 AM

Bless you Giok, you silver tongued devil!! *scuse creeping*

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Gulliver
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 02:46 PM

Hilary Spencer is a possibility, though I never heard her singing. The recording was made sometime before 1985.

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: oldhippie
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 06:51 PM

"Hilary" recorded a 1983 LP for Backstreet Records, which was cowritten, produced and engineered by a Stephen Hague. Nowhere on the LP is there a last name for Hilary, so its a mystery. I only have the 4 song mini LP, which doesn't include The Masquerade.

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: oldhippie
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 06:54 PM

The above LP was titled "Kinetic".

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:44 PM

oldhippie - that was Hilary Blake - see Hilary. The FAQ gives details. (But I don't think this is the singer needed)

Mick

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: oldhippie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 07:30 AM

Thanks, Mick. I appreciate the information. I guess you're correct, there must be another singer Hilary.

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: GUEST,Gulliver
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:01 PM

Thanks, folks. The chap who gave me the tape said he thought the singer was the wife/partner of the guitarist accompanying her, but couldn't provide further information.

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:41 PM

I did wonder if it could be Hilary James with Simon Mayor, but I can't find it mentioned on their web-sites.

Mick

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: GUEST,Gulliver
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:54 PM

Would that be pre-'85?

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:04 PM

According to Hilary's bio they've played together (in various forms) since the mid-70s. However, as I said, I can't find the song mentioned on either of their sites (though the discographies seem to be later recordings, rather than earlier).

Mick

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:08 PM

The BMI database lists no Hilary's as artists for the song (not that necessarily means much!).

Mick

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 05:18 PM

Could it have been Hilary Blythe ("Hong Kong Hilary")

Kitty

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:47 AM

It might be an idea to PM Leadfingers to see if he knows. He was quite involved with folk clubs in Hong Kong, although Mick reckons the timing would be out. Worth a try though.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Gulliver
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 12:46 PM

I might do that. I looked up Hilary Blythe on the web--she played with Bob Hall (I think that's his name). The kind of music they played (blues and boogie) doesn't really fit in with the version of This Masquerade that I heard--but of course you never know!

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 01:03 PM

My Hong Kong was NOT the Folk Clubs but Pro Muso in Kowloon in 1974/5

Subject: RE: Who recorded 'This Masquerade'--Hilary?
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 01:05 PM

Gulliver - I think that's the same Hilary Blythe, but she did play on the folk scene before doing the blues and boogie stuff. I can't remember now when she moved back to the UK, but she was over a few times during the 70s anyway.

Mick