1. This could be your last chance. Paul Simon is 76 years old and is hinting that he might retire. This tour, called Homeward Bound, is his purported retirement from the road, though it’s easy to imagine the energetic, creatively restless Simon doing one-off shows or even a residency. My advice? See this legend every chance you get.
2. He’s still got it. His voice, though softened by age, is still youthful and engaging. And Simon’s last few records have been bracingly different, experimental even (there’s a Brian Eno collaboration in there), packed with grooving songs like “Outrageous,” “Dazzling Blue” and “Rewrite”—some of which are part of this “farewell” live set. They could easily belong to a newcomer, albeit one with a careworn soul.
3. He delivers faithful versions of the hits. A dig into a recent setlist reveals multiple veins of gold: Lots of Simon & Garfunkel hits (“America,” “The Boxer,” “Mrs. Robinson”), loads of ’70s radio favorites (“Mother and Child Reunion,” “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Late in the Evening”), the obligatory Graceland tracks (“You Can Call Me Al,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” and, thank heavens, “The Boy in the Bubble”) and some surprising deep cuts (he plays a number of non-single tracks from his underrated 1990 album The Rhythm of the Saints). In any case, expect to leave the show satisfied, no matter which era of Simon you claim as your own.
PAUL SIMON May 27, 8 p.m., $60-$175. MGM Grand Garden Arena, 702-891-1111.
