Thursday 23/06/11 Paul Simon @ Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

That old wag Morrissey once famously said “Manchester, so much to answer for” - on last night's evidence so to does another cosmopolitan musical hub, New York.

As one of the empire state's greatest ever exports Paul Simon dropped into Nottingham for the first time, it was clear - musically and pictorially - where his heart will always lie.

Poignant imagery of the city's streets and iconic bridges peppered the folk veteran's backdrop throughout, beautifully accompanying a broad range of material, which largely spanned his solo career.

Opening with the instantly recognisable South African-tinged Boy In The Bubble, Simon wasted no time in getting off to a strong start. The standout track on new solo offering, So Beautiful or So What, the gorgeously evocative Dazzling Blue followed before he mined more of his stellar back catalogue with a delicately handled Slip Slidin' Away and 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.

Backed by the tightest, yet loosest (if that's not an oxymoron!) eight-piece band I've had the privilege to see - each seemed to play a least three instruments across the brass, wind, string and percussion spectrum - it was a joy to be hold. Their collective union was perhaps best showcased on a loving rendition of The Obvious Child, while The Only Living Boy In New York was genuinely moving.

A closing pre-encore salvo of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes and Gumboots saw seats abandoned and isles commandeered with gay abandon.

It was here Mr Simon missed a trick though - if he'd swiftly followed that couplet up with Graceland and/or You Can Call Me Al he'd have taken the roof off. And while a tender cover of George Harrison's Here Comes The Sun and a reflective Still Crazy After All These Years followed I couldn't help but feel the show has ended on something of a downturn.

No matter, Simon deserved the standing ovation, which greeted his departure - after all, it's not often a true living legend drops by Robin Hood country.