Yep, best to have a BFR. I was told by an FAA Examiner when I did my IR check ride that I was not legal as I had no BFR logged in my logbook. Stupid really as I had just flow about 50 hrs with an instructor for my IR...how much checking do I need! Needless to say the instructor just endorsed my logbook there and then.
This point about night flying...it seems the only real way to fly at night and carry passengers is to either get an FAA CPL (or take the PPL tests and exams...waste of time) or to get a JAA NR (Qualification) on the JAA licence...probably easiest.
Cheers
EA