Paul & Fred final show review

Hoys all,I've just about done dragging my weary bones from up and down this smallisland andin the spirit of this list ,herewith I will inform you all about thelatest and penultimateshow on Paul and Fred's UK tour.30 years ago Little Feat last played Manchester at the Palace Theatre, inattendance thisSaturday was one of the road crew from that very gig, his memory cloudedby the quality ofthe tobacco based products in vogue at the time. This time round the venuewas a tad moremodest, being the surroundings of one of Manchester Universitty's StudentUnions. In the samebuilding there was at least one other live gig and 50 yards down thestreet, The Stranglerswere playing so the competiton for audience was keen and this was reflectedin a modest butnone-theless enthusiastic crowd.My day started in-auspiciously when my dearest declared herself unfit totravel due to a backinjury, however she persuadued me to go anyway. I met with Guy Vickerspre-show and with thekind assistance of Chris C (and despite some over-enthusiastic securitystaff), made our way tothe soundcheck, shortly to be joined by Andy Wild and his missus, Amanda.And Paco, yes,I'm sure it was Paco, said it was, looked like him, a bit tired with allthe travelling but not shortof a tale or two...Good to meet you at last sir!For me this particular show was as much about Gary and Emma as it was Pauland Fred.The joy they expressed for the past 2 weeks of their lives and theirinvolvement with Little Featwas a pleasure to encounter, and their modest down to earth musings in away reflected howthis whole Little Feat thing endures. Yes, it's the music primarily, butsomething else is going ontoo, its impossible to explain, people on this list have said its like afamily, and maybe it is, butyou can't choose your relatives....Took in some food at the same restaurant as Mr and Mrs Tackett, who, uponfinishing their mealjoined our table for some socialising, Fred even had the decency to offerEdna get-well greetingsby telephone, which I can tell you gave her the shock of her life.....Bythis time we had been joinedby the venue promoter, Phil.To the show! Do I really need to say it was a storming set, nah thoughtnot...Set1:Aint Had Enough FunHate to Lose2 Trains>Rocket in my PocketLove Sweet LoveFool YourselfClowninTown Like ThisAll That You DreamSet 2;Skin it BackDown on The Farm>Candyman>Down on the FarmSailin ShoesEverthin I do Gonna Be FunkyLonesome WhistleWillin>Don't Bogart>WillinDixie Chicken (With Emma on Bass)E1: TroubleE2; Roll Um EasyE3; Feats Don't Fail Me NowSeveral of the crowd commented on how full a sound these 2 get withso little equipment, and it really is amazing. If you haven't seen Paul andFred on their own, it really is a great sound. Catch them.And Emma on bass during DC, superb, they played it in bit more of thatLittle Featgroove that used to be heard I guess back in 70's so it was like going backin time.Well done Emma.Well done Gary.After show, again, stuff was signed, hands were shook, photos were snapped,jokes were told (Paul, ever the charmer, told ME a Scotsman joke...) andthe wholeshebang rolled out into the night to their last show in nearby-ishSouthport Sunday.Cheers,Dave