1971 Les Crane – Desiderata
Desiderata is a 1971 album by Les Crane with music by Broadway composer Fred Werner and concept and various lyrics by David C. Wilson. It is a spoken word album with sung refrains and instrumental accompaniment. The title, and title track, come from the widely circulated poem “Desiderata”, which at the time was in circulation as ancient wisdom and not known to be a 1927 poem by Indiana lawyer Max Ehrmann.
Crane’s supporting musicians included singers Evangeline Carmichael, who sang the “child of the universe” refrain on the title track, and Carol Carmichael, with musicians keyboardist Michel Rubini, guitarist Louie Shelton, flautist Jim Horn, and two percussionists, Joe Porcaro and Emil Richards. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.
Tracks
1 Prologue 0:18
2 Desiderata (Max Ehrmann, Fred Werner) 4:18
3 Vision (Traditional, Fred Werner) 3:19
4 Friends (David C Wilson, Les Crane, Fred Werner) 4:42
5 Beauty (Shining From The Inside Out) (David C Wilson, Fred Werner) 3:03
6 Happiness (I Got No Cares) (David C Wilson, Fred Werner) 2:19
7 Esperanza (Hope) (Fred Werner) 2:33
8 Nature (Wilderness) (Rachel Thoreau, Fred Werner) 2:52
9 Courage (Eyes That See) (David C Wilson, Fred Werner) 4:26
10 Independance (A Different Drummer) (Rachel Thoreau, Fred Werner, Max Ehrmann) 2:29
11 Love (Children Learn What They Live) (Fred Werner) 3:43
12 Epilogue 0:34
Media
Musicians
| Bass | Chuck Domanico |
| Drums | John Guerin |
| Guitar | Dennis Budimir |
| Guitar | Louie Shelton |
| Piano | Michel Rubini |
| Flute | Jim Horn |
| Percussion | Emil Richards |
| Percussion | Joe Porcaro |
| Background Vocals | Carol Carmichael |
| Vocals | Evangeline Carmichael |
Liner Notes
Producer – Fred Werner, Les Crane
Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor – Fred Werner
Engineer, Remix – Henry Lewy