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Elton, Fogerty in 'Big' benefit for Katrina victims
09/22/2005 1:40 AM, Reuters
The evening might have
begun with a funeral dirge, but the atmosphere Tuesday night at
Madison Square Garden was hardly funereal.
Rather, this all-star benefit concert for the Gulf Coast
victims of Hurricane Katrina was a celebratory affair that
proudly rejoiced in the rich musical heritage of New Orleans.
Cleverly titled "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy," the show
served as an affectionate musical tribute and a powerful show
of support from one previously beleaguered city to another.
Much like the concert that took place in the same venue in
the aftermath of September 11, the evening transcended its
entertainment values, rich as they were. With its preponderance
of performers representing the best of the New Orleans
tradition, it was an invaluable reminder of just important this
heritage is. For the occasion, the arena was transformed into a
virtual French Quarter, with beads and banners and the usual
fare of hot dogs and pizza supplanted with jambalaya and gumbo.
While no doubt many in the audience were there to see such
classic baby boomer acts as Jimmy Buffett, John Fogerty, Elton John, Bette Midler, Simon & Garfunkel, etc., they also were
treated to a rich sampling of New Orleans artists. From the
opening set by Allen Toussaint to the closing performances by
the Neville Brothers and the Meters, the evening resonated with
the joyful sounds of the Big Easy.
It says something that one of the biggest ovations went to
Clarence "Frogman" Henry, who delivered the thematically
appropriate and highly rousing "Ain't Got No Home" with his
distinctive blend of falsetto and croak. Similar rapture was
displayed for such performers as Aaron Neville, who promised
that "A Change Is Gonna Come"; Irma Thomas, who lent her
soulful pipes to such classics as "Time Is on My Side"; the
Dixie Cups, inciting a joyful audience sing-along on "Chapel of
Love"; the Meters, performing in New York for the first time in
decades; and the Neville Brothers, participating in a
first-ever duet with the Meters on "Hey Pocky Way."
The headliners certainly did their part as well. John tore
through such well-chosen numbers as "Someone Saved My Life
Tonight" and "Love Lies Bleeding," Buffett had the audience
dancing merrily through his set of mellow party anthems, Midler
delivered a highly emotive "I Think It's Going to Rain Today,"
and Fogerty rocked the house with blistering versions of "Born
on the Bayou" and "Bad Moon Rising." Dave Matthews, popping in
briefly (he headlined another show that night at Radio City
Music Hall), joined Buffett for Neil Young's "Heart of Gold."
Such performers as Elvis Costello and Lenny Kravitz took a
more adventurous approach, forgoing their hits in favor of
classic if little-known New Orleans jazz numbers. Kravitz also
participated in one of the show's highlights, a sit-down blues
session that featured Ry Cooder and Buckwheat Zydeco.
Simon & Garfunkel, clearly a crowd favorite, sang such
classics as "Homeward Bound" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water,"
with Aaron Neville lending his angelic tenor to the latter. "As
many times as I've sung this song, I don't think it's ever
meant as much to me as it does tonight," Garfunkel said.
President Clinton, Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and Paul Newman were among those who provided introductions.
The evening's emotional dynamics were well illustrated in
the show's conclusion, which occurred about 5-1/2 hours after
it began. Aaron Neville delivered a goosebump-inducing "Amazing
Grace," followed by a roof-shaking "When the Saints Go Marching
In" featuring all of the New Orleans musicians, demonstrating
the spirit that will make the Big Easy live again.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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