Cynical Nation

If I'm under-blogging today it's probably because I'm extremely tired and have a bit of a lingering headache. But that's okay. It was well worth it.

I was out very late last night, attending the marathon Hurricane Katrina benefit concert at Madison Square Garden. I swear, New Orleans has more talent per capita than any other city on the globe, and last night was living proof.

Despite the amazing number of performers and speakers during the six-hour show, the evening was remarkably free of politics -- except, of course, for this vapid, obnoxious tirade from the loathsome Bette Midler.

Stupid whore. If they ever make a CD of this concert, try to see if you can hear me on it. I'm the one shouting obscenities at the overrated hag from the orchestra section. And although I was clearly outnumbered, I was hardly alone. In fact, I had a number of people shake my hand afterward.

But aside from the PMS fit from a fugly, tarted-up has-been, the evening was truly amazing. The stellar New Orleans line-up (including the Nevilles, Alan Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, the Dixie Cups and others) was joined by Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Cyndi Lauper, Elton John, John Fogerty (yeah baby, yeah!), Dave Matthews, Simon and Garfunkel and probably tons more that are slipping my mind at the moment.

Since I've long held the belief that CCR was The Greatest Rock and Roll Band of All Time, seeing Fogerty was a special treat for me. To make things even better, he was introduced on stage by former president Bill Clinton. No, I shit you not. That's a much-deserved honor for someone who has recently suffered the indignity of having to open concerts for John-Cougar-Marshall-Whatever-his-name-is-this-week-Mellencamp. O, the injustice of it all!

In addition to Clinton, there were many other non-performing dignitaries of note, including Senator Mary Landrieu, Jessica Lange, Ed Bradley and Scarlett Johansson (no, I have no idea why.) These people mercifully refrained from singing and kept their remarks mercifully brief. Yes, even Clinton.

I spent more money on the tickets than I probably should have, but since the Garden was underwriting the entire cost of the concert, 100% of the proceeds are supposed to go to relief efforts, so I suppose I can't feel too guilty about it.

And actually, I wouldn't have anyway. It was a night to remember, and well worth it.

UPDATE: For those of you who missed the show, here's a brief sample, courtesy of my bootlegger, "Greasey" Carmichael.