"What is it about India that so captivates Westerners? If you're a boho music 'n' culture critic, it's mulligatawny soup amid those ostentatious Bollywood song-and-dance numbers. If, like David Cipriani, you're a classically-trained guitar virtuoso who's studied under legends like Charlie Byrd (Jazz Samba, with Stan Getz) and Christopher Parkening (A Tribute to Segovia, plus several gigs strumming behind soprano Kathleen Battle), it's the exotic tones and textures of the sitar. While Cipriani doesn't actually play a Shankar seven-string on Faith & Doubt, his painstakingly intricate fretwork is as Eastern-flavored as tamarind chutney, and as complex as an Amitabh Bachchan flick without the subtitles.

Being a guitar god is not always a great thing, especially when you're a guitar god who writes songs without the grounding influences of bandmates and collaborators. Many excellent guitarists have made excruciatingly un-excellent records by putting technique ahead of good sense. With his extensive academic training, Middle Eastern predilections and technical wizardry, Cipriani could have easily thrown modesty to the wind, cashed in as the second coming of Jesse Cook and disappeared up his own ass. Instead, he's turned out a handful of interesting, well-crafted tunes that rarely overstay their welcome. Satriani could learn a thing or two about discretion from Cipriani.

As expected, musicianship is Faith & Doubt's star attraction. In addition to the Indian accents that weave their way into the fabric of each song, Cipriani shows his mastery of his instrument by switching up a number of styles to suit specific moods. "All Alone Again" features a languid, "Blue Moon"-like tropical guitar pattern that, aside from the indulgent new age bridge and its six-minute running time, is quite pleasant. Elsewhere, the dark and gloomy "She Went Away" sways to a droning murder ballad beat, while "Secret Song" boasts a guitar figure that starts out in Dodge City but winds up somewhere in the outskirts of New Delhi. Cipriani's supporting players are no slouches, either -- especially drummer Jeff Trueman, pianist Tom Merrigan and accordionist Spoon Popkin, owner of the greatest name this side of Middle-Earth."

"In one short 45-minute CD you will meet ghosts, handicapped children, mystical homeless men, and mean green space people. If you think that is a diverse cast of characters wait until you hear the imaginiative musical styling....Gregorian chants, Spanish classical, sailor drinking songs and angelic choirs... this all flows into one cohesive set of songs. David Cipriani is a very capable and talented guitar player. The guitar playing alone would make this CD worth listening to...it's been awhile since anyone has made me think like that while listening to music."

Americana-UK:

"In 'Faith & Doubt', Cipriani has made a moving album that drives & pulses with Eastern rhythms lending an almost raga feel to many of these fine songs. The sonic territories occupied here have a distinct 'Jeff Buckley Grace' aura about them, highlighted by the exquisite 'Secret Song'. Recorded on a shoestring calling in as many favours as he can, this is a real triumph for quality material over elaborate studio window dressing"