University of Virginia Library

Chrysanthemum Displays Originality,
Reveals Traces Of Oriental Influence

By Wayne Cardon

A trio of musicians, evidencing
that the success of contemporary
music need not depend upon long
hair and wild wardrobes, is
Chrysanthemum. Their popularity
has grown rapidly during the past

year, and the three are now
recognized as the only group at the
University producing original
material. They achieve rapport with
their audience by combining an
abundance of talent, creativity and
initiative.

Chrysanthemum, composed of University students Gary
Greenwood, John Chesson and
native Californian Rod Marymor,
devote a high percentage of their
music to improvisation and solo.
Their songs, which are primarily
hard rock, utilize various concepts
of both Oriental and Occidental
music. On "Tell Me That You Love
Me," a song written by bass
guitarist John Chesson, the group
employs a Japanese pentatonic
scale instead of the more
conventional blues scale.
Concentrating on the use of
distortion and controlled feedback,
Chrysanthemum enters into the
realm of what has been called by
renowned critic Richard Goldstein,
"the electronic concept of the
future."

Their original compositions bear
more than the usual anti-war
connotations which are prevalent
among so many modern
entertainers. The lyrics are
refreshingly optimistic and often
quite humorous, as revealed by
titles like "Peace," "John Knows,"
and my personal favorite, "Bowels:
In Three Movements." In each
stanza a message is skillfully
realized by varying hard syncopated
beats with alternatively tranquil
tones. The long breaks of
Chrysanthemum are especially
praiseworthy; some being
improvised through the chords,
while others are melodic and
rhythmic.

Greenwood is the lead guitarist
and vocalist, and besides composing
a significant amount of
Chrysanthemum's material he
contributes a great deal of
inspiration to the group. He claims
that the name of the group was
revealed to him one misty evening
by a strange Indian. Greenwood
seems to be extremely talented and
versatile, as is evident from the
minute he begins to play his guitar,
harmonica, dulcimer, or recorder.
His music and his improvisations,
like his stories, tend towards the
unbelievable. Such original
compositions as "Just a Girl" and
"Eternally" continue this theme.
Greenwood also displays a special
talent for making his guitar sound
like a Japanese koto, thus
producing a type of music which
might be termed "Oriental Soul."

Chesson, who composes the
group's material with Greenwood,
plays bass guitar and sings. Of the
three, he is the most personable on
stage, and is beginning to master a
rapport with the audience which he
seemed to lack in early
performances.

Marymor, who plays the drums,
is a musician with extensive ability,
and has gained much technical
experience during the past year.
Consequently he blends well with
the two guitarists and his solos are
skillfully accomplished.

The group appreciates a variety
of music, and their versatility
allows them to play both blues and
hard-rock sounds with equal
facility, consequently placing them
in great demand at the University
and surrounding vicinities. A
combination of their talent and
creativity, and a bit more
self-assurance could lead
Chrysanthemum to great success in
the coming year.