Struggling through a world of deceit, poverty, and persecution, it's always amazing to find Christ's name in the different corners of this crazy world. This is exactly what Essential Recording artists Caedmon's Call did as they traveled through India, Ecuador, and Brazil last spring. Anyone who goes on a missions trip comes to the conclusion that the people they go to help end up helping them in return, and Caedmon's Call has proven this to be true. Despite the fact that these people face impoverishment and oppression everyday of their lives, they have such a love and passion for Christ.

Through their work with Compassion International, the Dalit Freedom Network, and India's Peace Gospel Ministries, the folk-rock group discovered a rich musical and cultural heritage and decided to incorporate this into their new album. Recorded in India, Ecuador, and Brazil, Caedmon's Call's brand new album, entitled Share the Well, is a diverse and uniquely beautiful artist venture. The band has sold more than a million and a half albums in its career, recorded seven #1 singles, and won numerous awards for their musicianship. But they consider this endeavor "more important than all their accolades strung together."

Share the Well conveys a message of hope with songs about real people one would otherwise never meet. Inspiration for this album was drawn from the culture of local musicians and villagers. Caedmon's Call gathered personal stories and authentic sounds throughout their travels. In the end, the group mixed in their own profound songwriting, harmonies, and folk-based percussion elements while keeping the cultural influence they had been aiming for to produce an album that makes you think.

Share the Well, a 17 track album, begins with a short multi-cultural intro that blends into the title song. With the folkish drum beats of "Share the Well", you are transported into another corner of the world right from the start. Some of the passionate lyrics include: "Share the Well, share with your brother, Share the Well my friend, It takes a deeper well to love one another, Share the well y friend." Caedmon's Call also includes other languages from the villages in the album. Later featured songs include "All I Need", "Mother India", "International Love Song", "Sarala", and "Wings of the Morning". You can't compare any of the songs to each other because they all seem to be musicially different and unique, which is always a plus for musicians in the Christian music industry.

Striving to become a missionary myself, I would recommend this album to everyone, considering the fact that everyone should have an idea of how different cultures live. Caedmon's Call has a unique collection of work, and this album fits in quite perfectly.

- Review date: 10/11/04, written by Jessica Vander Loop