The irony wasn't lost on fans when Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel opened at MGM's Grand Garden Arena with the classic "Old Friends." After all, the legendary duo's disagreements have been common knowledge since they stopped recording back in 1970; 30-plus years of bickering having scuttled all but one previous attempt of a reunion.
Thankfully, a large video screen stayed pretty much focused on the pair, helping aging eyes watch the chemistry between them.
Turned out there wasn't much. Simon was detached and emotionless as he played through most of the hits. And although Garfunkel stayed in the moment, energy can't overcome what age does to an angelic voice.
But a changing vocal range is something singers learn to adjust for, as is occasional boredom with their old hits, and the pair have found enough of a voice-meld to carry them adequately through their standards, often with new arrangements that were not always enhancements.
"I Am a Rock," "Keep the Customer Satisfied" and "The Boxer" seemed hurried obligations. Yet they sounded great in a poignant rendition of "America," a hopped-up version of "Mrs. Robinson" and beautiful takes on "American Tune," which Garfunkel introduced as his favorite, and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which might be their audience's favorite song, based on their reaction.
The most unusual moment came when Simon introduced "Slip Slidin' Away," the only song performed from his solo career. "This song was not recorded by Simon and Garfunkel," he told the crowd. "It should have been." Warm words but incongruent with the fact that he glanced in Garfunkel's direction only twice all evening.
The concert started 40 minutes late, not a big deal by modern standards, but an impatient eternity for boomers. Of course, as America's first generation of arena concertgoers, they knew how to keep busy. By the time the show began, the crowd had run through an entire array of concert time-killers. Foot stomping. The Wave. Clapping in unison. Finally, one side of the arena chanting "Simon!" with the other side chanting back "Garfunkel!"
The crowd only wanted things to get underway. And who could blame them? After all, there's just not as much time left as there was back in the day.