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By DIANA BIRD
Rappahannock News Contributing Writer
Patrick Allen’s singing guitar and soulful voice played to nearly a full house on Saturday night, Jan. 20 at the Gay Street Theater.
The audience experienced a musical event as Mr. Allen, assisted by three friends, evoked with his original songs and compositions the emotions and atmosphere of the long Civil War between 1861-1964, and the conditions that resulted from it.
The program consisted of a selection of songs from a longer opera, which Mr. Allen has called “Tales From the Debatable Land,” the region fought over by Confederate Col. John Mosby and his followers, the infamous Mosby’s Rangers Cavalry, which includes Rappahannock and nearby counties.
More than a story, the compositions Mr. Allen put together remind us of the accidents of war — the degeneration of civilian life, the suffering and weariness of soldiers and death. Col. Mosby’s exploits and the notoriety he enjoyed provide the focus for Mr. Allen’s talents, but are by no means dominating. A number of the pieces have outstanding musical qualities, and were beautifully performed.
Mr. Allen has devoted several years to researching Mosby’s life and creating the music that he hopes to perform again. The program as we experienced it needs additional work. Problems of organization, timing, and style must be addressed. The sombemess of the subject matter should be leavened with humor. Col. Mosby’s identity wants sharper definition and his career more detail.
The accompanying musicians made significant contributions: Jeff
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