ROOM WITH A VIEW of the blues..... From The Big Apple To The Big Easy Madison Square Garden New York, New York 09/20/05 When New Orleans was hit with hurricane Katrina, all of us wanted to help the citizens of New Orleans. One way to show "your "support is to attend a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert. When I heard about "From The Big Apple To The Big Easy" I found my chance to offer support while seeing my favorite New Orleans musicians coupled with major rock stars some of whom my wife had been dying for me to take her to see. My expectations were further fueled by the wonderful Higher Ground Benefit Concert from Lincoln Center that had aired on our local PBS station this past Saturday night September 17th. 'From The Big Apple To The Big Easy" was to be very different by the inclusion of rock acts like Elton John, Jimmy Buffet, John Fogarty and Cyndi Lauper. We arrived early as 20,000 people were expected at the will call windows. The tickets had just gone on sale the previous week and it was already a sold out show. After picking up our tickets early, we meandered back outside to the promenade where much to our pleasure CJ Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band had begun to play. This was one of my favorite zydeco bands before CJ has broken them up and although he had gotten the band back together this combination of players was the best I had seen. As the crowd began to grow New Orleans street clowns began to dance around. Three little red mice were darting in and out while a girl on stilts was ostrich'n around. All of a sudden I was dancing with one of the little red mousy girls. The people were getting into a New Orleans frenzy as my wife and I entered The Garden. Vendors were selling Crawfish Monica and Abita Beer, everywhere was the New Orleans "buzz". We found our seats just as The Rebirth Brass Band began a funeral march which turned into a spiritual. Ed Bradley of 60 minutes spoke and introduced the house band which was The Allen Toussaint Band. Allen was to open the event while each of the "guest" artists was to take a turn at one of Allen's songs. Art Neville, Lenny Kravitz, and Elvis Costello all took their turns. The night however began to really cook when Clarence Frogman Henry sang "Ain't Got No Home", the crowd went wild. The high squeaky voice alternated with the deep froggy one. He tore the place up. Paul Simon and Jimmy Buffet then took their turns with Allen Toussaint. The place began to reheat when Aaron Neville sang "Been A Long Time Comin". Then Cyril Neville set the place on fire with "Big Chief". The Soul Queen of New Orleans was up next and Irma Thomas, the most beautiful I had ever seen her, lived up to the title as she sang "It's Raining". She followed it with "Time is on My Side". This was as good as it gets. Cyndi Lauper and Allen Toussaint sang a duet and the stage was cleared for the next act. Jessica Lange introduced The Dixie Cups who sang "Goin To The Chapel". They followed with a medley of Jackomo-fin-a-o, Brother John and Iko, Iko and were joined by Irma and Cyndi. Next up was Bette Midler, who said something that got a bunch of boos but I had gone for a beer. While the stage was being changed again we saw a video featuring Bonnie Riatt and Jon Cleary. Then Scarlet Johansen introduced Elton John with his full band and they delivered a forty minute set. The trio of Lenny Kravitz, Buckwheat Zydeco and Ry Cooder followed. Ry Cooder sang "Josephine", and then Buckwheat and Lenny took their turns. The stage was being reset again while a video on Harry Connick and Walter Wolfman Washington was being aired. Jimmy Buffet and The Coral Reefer Band were up. In the band was Sonny Landreth on guitar and Bill Payne from Little Feat on keyboards. "Changes in Latitudes' gave way to "Margariteaville" as the crowd went insane. They played a tribute to Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead by covering "Scarlet Begonias". Dave Mathews joined for Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" and Paul Simon joined on Frankie Ford's "Sea Cruise". Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu then introduced Bill Clinton. After a very brief statement by the former President, Bill Clinton introduced John Fogarty who tore into "Born on The Bayou". The grand finale included Aaron Neville singing "Amazing Grace" and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band performing "When The Saints Go Marching In". Everyone got their monies worth while donating to remedy the Gulf Coast and the victims of Hurricane Katrina. On a smaller scale The New York Blues and Jazz Society is presenting our own Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert at The Mexicali Blues Café. The Mexicali Blues Café' is located in Teaneck at 1409 Queen Ann Road and on October 9th at 7:00 PM please join us as we present The East River Blues Band, Angel Risoff, Nikki Armstrong, Gil Parris, Ellis Hooks and Luther Kent. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Gulf Coast Musicians Relief Fund. If you missed the night at The Garden you'll want to lend your hand. Richard Ludmerer ricdale2@yahoo.com