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What can you say about John Bradley's piping? That it is unique? Haunting? Sad? Sure, but I'm betting that's all been said o'er and o'er. The bagpipe is, on its own, a wonderful and terrible thing, evocative and visceral. Harmonically limited (with only that one lonely key) it makes up for its lack with conviction and noblesse oblige.

Bradley's Bagpipe Christmas does not shy from the stark beauty of unaccompanied piping, but neither does it eschew the judicious use of string accompaniment (Cady Finlayson, violin, and Kevin Allen, guitar). After a misty and mystical roll call--O Holy Night, Drummer Boy, O Come All Ye Faithful, The First Noel, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas--he sweetens things a bit with guitar and percussion, ultimately giving way to Finlayson's bagpipe-inspired violin on Silent Night before piping a verse of, fittingly, God Bless America.

He is clearly a master of his instrument, and a grand instrument it is. This music is not for everyone, but it is a strange and wondrous record to hear, if you fit the profile.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2002)

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From the liner notes:

John Bradley began piping in 1984 at the age of twelve. Since 1986 he has studied with Pipe Major George M. Bell, a World Champion Piper and one of the fathers of piping in America. Mr. Bradley has himself taught piping for many years, helping to form the Passaic County Emerald Society Pipe Band and founding the New Jersey Pipe Band Academy. His credits also include memorable tunes on the soundtrack of Dead Poet's Society. Today, he is a full-time member of the New York based Celtic rock band Gael Force and the head instructor of the Union County Pipe Band, in New Jersey.

John Bradley

Bradley's Bagpipe Christmas

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Track List