Review | Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett with The New Orleans Suspects | Florida

Words by: Andrew Wetzler

Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett with The New Orleans Suspects :: 10.19.12 :: The Bamboo Room :: Lake Worth, FL

Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett Acoustic Duo

Every now and then a show comes along where the expectation level is high and the performance exceeds it.

Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett (Little Feat) and the (recently formed) New Orleans Suspects crossed paths at the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth, FL last Friday night to a sold out crowd. In case you are unfamiliar with the Suspects, they include Reggie Scanlan from The Radiators, Willie Green from The Neville Brothers, Jake Eckert from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, sax player Jeff Watkins from JJames Brown’s band and funk piano master CR Gruver.

Having seen The Suspects twice before, I had a clear understanding of the energy and acumen they could bring forth. What I was so excited to see was how they would pair up with Barrere and Tackett.

There is so much rich history within the grouping that it’s hard to know where to begin. Paul Barrere is most recognized as the guitarist for Little Feat. He has toured like crazy since the 1970’s. Barrere and Tackett who likely don’t have to spend their downtime from the road playing club shows, clearly relished the moment. With the Suspects they played a funked up, sax infused, jammy version of a handful of the Little Feat staples.

From the Suspect’s perspective, the night brought its own signifigance. As many in this audience may know, Radiators bassist, Reggie Scanlan is recovering from surgery for pancreatic cancer. His presence back on stage is heartwarming to Phishheads everywhere. “Mean” Willie Green has been the drummer for the Neville Brothers since the 1980’s. He appears to savor his more central role in this band.

Highlights from the nearly three hour show included Rocket In My Pocket (Barrere & Tackett), Loose Lucy (Suspects before Barrere & Tackett took the stage), Skin It Back and Hey Pocky Way (Suspects plus Barrere & Tackett).

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