Music event of 2006? The Boss in New Orleans!

Wade Tatangelo from The Capital writes that Springsteen's April 30 show in New Orleans captured "the outrage of the populace while simultaneously sending a message of hope," comparing his performance to that of Jimi Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock and all that signified.

I've seen the video, heard the boots and read the reviews of that show -- very few expectations going into the show and a sea of converts preaching the Springsteen gospel leaving -- and sensed the significance of "How can a poor man" and his 3 re-written verses. I would say that his adaptation of "Poor Man" played around the world with the same introduction (you know, "President bystander") created a great deal of awareness on the severity of the situation in New Orleans.

As for his performance in New Orleans, I think Chris over at Backstreets summed it up when he wrote "on this humid New Orleans evening, Bruce and his band more than met the challenge, playing the sun into the ground for a two-hour set that had the slow-to-come-along crowd eventually eating out of the palm of his hand."

Here's a little reminder...