Seen and heard last night at Madison Square Garden

[mcscajun]

Last night: "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy" @ MSG & on PPV (which is how I saw it). 100% of the PPV proceeds went directly to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Bette Midler talked about receiving a piece of mail from the RNC thanking her for her support, and how she wrote "Go FUCK Yourself" on it and mailed it back to them, Postage Due! (and the crowd went crazy. )

Cyril Neville made an eloquent statement without saying a word: he wore a simple white T-Shirt emblazoned in red with the words: "Ethnic Cleansing in New Orleans".

President Clinton came onstage to speak briefly before introducing John Fogerty, and got the longest and loudest applause of the night.

Can't agree with the headline of this article, 'cause that was definitely not the mood, nor the purpose. As Ed Bradley said early on, "tonight we bury Katrina, and celebrate New Orleans." (I'm paraphrasing.)

Mardi Grass in the Big Apple

September 21, 2005

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.

(snip)

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.

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-etmsg214435740sep21,0,4089672.story?coll=ny-entertainment-headlines

[daninthemoon]

1. Thanks for the news.

[meganmonkey]

2. Oh, man that sounds good

I caught part of the Lincoln Center jazz thing the other night on NPR - lots of the same names like Toussaint and Elvis Costello, it was awesome. They weren't holding back like on the cheezy netowrk one.

:patriot:

[mcscajun]

4. Saw that one, too. It was a marvelous show.

Very classy, indeed.

[global1]

3. Shades Of The Wellstone Memorial Service. n/t

[Cha]

5. That sounds Amazing!

Bette's my Hero!

[mcscajun]

7. Then you would have loved her next line...

when she said how George Bush was a fan, and had caught one of her shows...yes, back in the 70s, she said. His coke dealer got him the tickets.
:rofl:
We presume she was joking, but who knows? :)

[Cha]

9. See!!? Thanks

for the "next line"!

[crispini]

6. Just saw a clip on the news.

Simon and Garfunkle singing "Bridge over Troubled Waters." Cool.

[mcscajun]

8. And Garfunkel said it never seemed so appropriate as now.

He really put everything into it.

[bklyncowgirl]

12. Yeah he did, the old boy can still hit those high notes.

What's with Simon's voice though? he sounds pretty shaky. God bless him though, he's been on all these hurricane benefits even though he's clearly not at his best.

[mcscajun]

13. Yes, I noticed that, too. I have no clue...

He wasn't the only one, either. The Dixie Cups can't quite reach the sounds or project the way they used to, but they're up for the game, nevertheless.

[SpiralHawk]

10. For 10 trivia points, name Clarence "Frogman" Henry's big hit

Scroll down for answer





"You always hurt the one you love"
(with a hasty word you can't recall)


Go Frogman !

[mcscajun]

11. More scroll space was needed

:)

He was a lot of fun last night, but I noticed he needed assistance walking away from the mike. :(