IT’S always a bit of a surprise when a guitar legend starts his show sitting down strumming a harp... and two hours later is tap-dancing to one of his best-known songs.

But like this remarkable gig – the penultimate show of a highly successful UK tour – Nils Lofgren is just a little bit special.

The second surprise of this “acoustic duo” night came as Nils stepped away from his harp, strapped on his Stratocaster and blazed an electric trail through blues favourite Too Many Miles.

With the bar set at the highest level from song one, Nils and superb multi-instrumentalist Greg Varlotta proceeded to enthrall a rapt, respectful and highly appreciative packed house with 140 minutes of virtuoso playing, mostly on acoustic, but with time to show off his skills on the piano and his new-found dancing shoes.

Like Rain, Girl In Motion, a spine-tingling Valentine, You, Little On Up, Believe and rare showings for Five Minutes and No Return whizzed by before Nils treated fans to another Fender blast with a requested Moontears.

As the perfectly-paced night headed towards its climax, there was even time for a hilarious faux pas as he launched into Keith Don’t Go – surely the song he’s played most live – and proceeded to sing the second verse first.

But Nils is as nimble on his toes as he is with his fingers and he offered a scintillating version of the classic song before careering through Mud In Your Eye, Greg Varlotta’s feet a blur as he tap-danced in sync with the guitar.

Black Books and No Mercy preceded a full band backing track and some remarkable electric guitar on Sprinsteen’s Because The Night which saw Nils spinning, literally, on one foot towards its incendiary climax.

A fun I Came To Dance, with Nils and Greg on duelling tap shoes, and traditional closer Shine Silently completed a wonderful night from a man pushing towards 60 next year but still full of life, energy and tales of 42 years on the road.

Varlotta was again the perfect unassuming foil, complementing the guitar wizard’s voice and fretwork with his own fine vocals, keyboards, guitar and even trumpet.

He vowed he’ll try and be back again next year and those who stayed after the gig to meet the man and have their CDs and T-shirts signed will hope he’ll stick to the promise.