Newsday.com: Mardi gras in the Big Apple

Newsday.com: Mardi gras in the Big Apple



Hurricane Katrina benefit concert

Radio City tunes in to helpSep 21, 2005
BY RAFER GUZMÁN STAFF WRITER September 21, 2005
Pop singer Cyndi Lauper and legendary New Orleans bandleader Allen Toussaint may make an odd pair, but last night at Madison Square Garden they meshed perfectly on a soulful version of "I Know (You Don't Want Me No More)." It was a tribute to the debt American music owes to New Orleans, and an attempt to repay that devastated city.The performance was just part of "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy," a benefit concert that culled more than two dozen musical acts at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, with hardworking musicians such as The Meters playing both. The shows were last-minute affairs, with several stars signing up even as Rod Stewart canceled due to an injury and New Orleans legend Fats Domino pulled out for unknown reasons. Scarlett Johansson introduced Elton John. And when former President Bill Clinton showed up to introduce John Fogerty, he received a rock star's welcome himself.

The Garden underwrote all costs for the shows and pledged all proceeds, plus an additional $1 million, to charities including The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund and the MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund, part of the Recording Academy behind the Grammys.Scheduled to last nearly five hours, the two concerts presented New Orleans as a birthplace of the early jazz and blues that inspired modern rock and roll.There were a few hints of the politics that have been stirred up by the hurricane. Elvis Costello made what might have been a reference to President George W. Bush's recent speeches: "There's been a lot of good words said in the last few days, and we've gotta make sure those promises are kept." Bette Midler was more overt, cracking wise about Bush and Republicans before launching into "I Think It's Going To Rain Today." Cyril Neville made his statement silently: His T-shirt read, "Ethnic Cleansing In New Orleans."The show opened with The Rebirth Brass Band playing a somber dirge as it walked slowly through the crowd. Ed Bradley of "60 Minutes" introduced Toussaint, who played a breezy version of "Southern Nights" at the piano and then remained there, serving as bandleader for Clarence "Frogman" Henry, The Dixie Cups, Art Neville and others.Costello followed a moody version of "On Your Way Down" with a funky, upbeat "Yes We Can." Elton John played a grandiose set that ended with the spiritual-themed "Levon." Fogerty charged through a number of bluesy rock tunes, including the trademark "Born on the Bayou."But many of the highlights came from mixing and matching. Lenny Kravitz, Buckwheat Zydeco and Ry Cooder traded vocals on the chugging blues "Hello Josephine." Jimmy Buffett was joined by Dave Matthews on the Neil Young classic "Heart Of Gold" and by Paul Simon on a relaxed version of "Sea Cruise."