DISTANCE BETWEEN US

Man this is one insane recording. A double album released in 1972 filled with piano, organ and percussion which is all soaked in mellotron. This is not for the faint of heart as it's quite experimental and repetitive. This music is way out there people. From what i've read Don approached CBS Records with some demo tapes and i'm not sure what was on those tapes but keep in mind that Bradshaw was a classically trained pianist that many called a prodigy. Anyway an executive at CBS Records had enough faith in him that they gave him some money upfront which was used to create a studio with the equipment and instruments he needed to record his music. It wasn't an easy recording session as Don had to layer the sounds himself. When he finished he took the recording to CBS Records who actually refused to release such an experimental work which led him to release it himself. Notice the spelling mistake in his last name "Bradshaw" on the album cover. We get four side long suites so fasten your seatbelts unless you want to be able to escape 'cause there's a mellotron storm on the horizon.

Up first is "Distance Between Us-Part 1" and at first we have some incredible piano work before the mellotron arrives after a minute. A calm before 3 1/2 minutes as it changes with tribal-like drumming being the focus as the mellotron flows freely. Check out the organ 9 minutes in as it goes on for some time. Some vocal expressions and percussion before 16 minutes as the piano returns. This continues to the end of the song. "Distance Between Us-Part 2" opens with lots of piano but it's not long before the mellotron blows in. A calm before 5 minutes then the mellotron stops as it calms right down. The piano comes in and it's so beautifully played. This continues for some time then we get mellotron before 12 minutes to the end.

I must admit the second album is a difficult listen for me, especially the first track called "Dance Of The Goblins". It's laid back percussion to start as the mellotron rolls in. It gets pretty chaotic 6 1/2 minutes in as the percussion and mellotron continue. Man this is a difficult listen. The chaotic sections come and go. With about 10 minutes left the percussion stops and it sounds more like an electronic beat with mellotron which is better in my opinion. "Autumn Mist" is piano and mellotron led and it's not nearly as abrasive as the previous track. It becomes quite powerful before 9 minutes. The mellotron seems to go from soft to loud constantly. Piano 15 minutes in as the mellotron stops but not for long as it's back in spades before 19 minutes. Some drama late sound-wise.

Barely 4 stars for me but the first album is so good with the two part title track being the highlight of this recording. I'm not even sure if i'll play the second album again but this is such a unique recording and the first album is so good that I feel 4 stars is warranted. Music for the adventerous and somewhat deranged.