There is something about seeing a musical legend that lifts the excitement of a gig. There are few more legendary than Paul Simon. As a songwriter and performer, he is rivaled only by Bob Dylan.
It has been 42 years since Simon & Gardfunkel released their debut album 'Wednesday Morning 3AM'. Paul Simon wholly and solely wrote the words and music all of those great Simon & Garfunkel classic, such as 'Mrs Robinson', 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'The Boxer' and 'Cecilia', all of which still maintain a prime position in his current setlist.Simon appreciates the humor in his longevity. "The next song is from my first solo album and the reason I mention that is because a lot of you weren't even born when it came out" he joked with the audience before playing 'Duncan'.
Another reference to his age ... "I was born half a mile from here" he said of the Costa Mesa venue. "This used to be all cottonfields".
Songs from his new album 'Surprise' brought the relevance of Simon's work right up to date. He slotted 'Outrageous', 'How Can You Live In The Northeast' and the very pertinent 'Wartime Prayers' evenly through the set. 'Father & Daughter', also now featured on the album was recorded 4 years earlier for 'The Wild Thornberrys' but again was not out of place between two gems from 'Graceland'.
Setlist for Paul Simon, Costa Mesa, California, Friday July 28:
Gumboots (from Graceland, 1986)
The Boy In The Bubble (from Graceland, 1986)
Outrageous (from Surprise, 2006)
Slip Slidin' Away (from Greatest Hits, Etc, 1977)
You're The One (from You're The One, 2000)
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (from Paul Simon, 1972)
How Can You Live In The Northeast (from Surprise, 2006)
Mrs Robinson (from Simon & Garfunkel's The Graduate, 1968)
Loves Me Like A Rock (from There Goes Rhymin' Simon, 1973)
That Was Your Mother (from Graceland, 1986)
Duncan (from Paul Simon, 1972)
Graceland (from Graceland, 1986)
Father & Daughter (from The Wild Thornberrys, 2002)
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes (from Graceland, 1986)
Still Crazy After All These Years (from Still Crazy After All These Years, 1975)
Cecilia (from Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970)
You Can Call Me Al (from Graceland, 1986)
Only Living Boy In New York (from Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970)
The Boxer (with Jerry Douglas) (from Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970)
Wartime Prayers (from Surprise, 2006)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (from Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970)
Late In The Evening (from One Trick Pony, 1980)
