The Grey Gardens Project
The Inspiration
In 1975 acclaimed documentarians Albert and David Maysles released a film called Grey Gardens. The film chronicles the life of the Beales, a mother and daughter both named Edith who occupy a decaying house in the Hamptons. Relatives of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, the Beales are kept afloat by the generosity of other formerly wealthy relatives.
The film is an iconic representation of fading fame, fortune and beauty.
In 2013 songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Harth Keating, inspired by the film's stark imagery and dialogue, set out to write a song cycle based on the film. Four years later these songs are ready to be released to the public. They serve as an affecting accomanpaniment to the film.
The Players
Keating recorded rough demos of the songs and enlisted the help of dear friend and college compatriot Michael 'Roadkill' Evitts on Drums. Keating's childhood friend, Paul Cardillo, rounded out the trio on bass. The group came together in Evitts' hometown of Baltimore, MD (Keating from Maine, Cardillo from North Carolina) to rehearse and arrange the songs.