Paul Simon w/The Jerry Douglas Band2006.07.26 (W)Maricopa Events Center, Phoenix, Arizona I was heading to see an older performer at Sun City in Arizona. I had a slight twinge that this could be sleep inducing. WRONG! The first pleasant surprise was the opening act, The Jerry Douglas Band. No lyrics. Great slide and steel guitar. Very refreshing. Douglas, himself, has an unassuming charisma that warms you up every time he speaks between songs.Then THE Paul Simon came on stage. I thought it might be all acoustic. Instead he had a tight band that could cover the dynamic range of Simon's rhythmic career. They played almost all of the songs from Graceland. Many other great solo hits as you can see listed below, and a couple of his old Simon & Garfunkel collaborations.Although the Maricopa Events Center has a strange long seating arrangement, the sound was spectacular. As the crowd spontaneously accompanied Paul on several songs, you could hear them all, even from the back of the venue. It could use some updating from its 70s decor. Three encores were more than expected and the crowd stayed for each (Arizonans head for the doors early like an LA sports crowd).Friends Sam and Karla attended and to enjoyed the show. She thought the register of several songs was lowered so Paul could still try to hit the highs. He seemed to do just fine. The show was far from the potential snooze-fest I imagined. If you like Paul Simons' music, it's still worth seeing him live.SET LIST1. Gumboots2. Boy in Bubble3. Outragous4. Slip Slidin' Away5. You´re the One6. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard7. Northeast8. Mrs. Robinson9. Loves me Like a Rock10. Zydeco11. Duncan12. Graceland13. Father & Daughter14. Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes15. Still Crazy After All These Years16. CeceliaEncore 117. Call Me Al18. Only Living Boy in New York19. Boxer w/Jerry DouglasEncore 220. Wartime Prayers21. Bridge over Troubled WaterEncore 322. Late in the Evening