Directed by Albert Maysles, David Maysles.
This is my fourth Grey Gardens tribute videos. There were two in 2018 and one in 2019, but none in 2020. This one is the longest thus far, and unlike the others, is not a montage of several clips from Grey Gardens (1975). This is footage from The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006), which consists of footage left over from the filming of their 1975 documentary (although some scenes appear to be in both films). This is a complete scene where Little Edie leads us through a special route she had used since childhood to the shore, swims and sunbathes sharing anecdotes about the property's past and discussing her philosophy about the unchanging aspect of Nature compared to the always changing human condition. In my view this is one of the most stunning scenes of the entire Grey Gardens compilation. One can truly feel that Time is an illusion; that there is no Time, only human change. Work on the original documentary began in 1973 and was completed in 1975. The film was released in 1976. This footage was shot in September 1973.
The music is from one of my favorite jazz albums of all time, from John McLaughlin's album Extrapolation (1972). I purchased it in early 1973 ... coincidentally (as it turns out) the same year when work on Grey Gardens first began. As it turns out the Maysles had already approached the Beales in 1972 about doing the documentary and photographed different locations on the property, getting ideas how they would proceed with the film when they began shooting the following year, 1973. The two songs I used from the album are "Arjen's Bag" and "Pete The Poet." I found out about John McLaughlin from a friend after a discussion on the guitar wizardry and music of Larry Coryell. Many a memorable night do I recall sitting at the typewriter working story projects and poetry while listening to this album. I am all too happy to put both songs to good use in this documentary footage that spans nearly 50 years.
