From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: Madison Square Garden Concert captures for posterity a Sept. 20, 2005, benefit held in New York City for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Its humanitarian mission alone is reason enough to heap praise on the event -- the show generated millions of dollars for Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, Habitat for Humanity and other entities -- but the marquee talent isn't too shabby, either.

Let's face it: It's tough to go wrong with a lineup that includes (but is not limited to) Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, Allen Toussaint, Jimmy Buffett, Irma Thomas, the Neville Brothers, Dave Matthews, John Fogerty, Bette Midler, Diana Krall, Lenny Kravitz, Cyndi Lauper, the Meters, the Dixie Cups and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Whew. Like the concert itself, this two-DVD set is handsomely produced and featuring some terrific music – even if 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley seems a rather sedate choice as the show's designated master of ceremonies.

In a nifty bit of sonic gumbo as befitting the Crescent City, the concert's organizers pay homage to New Orleans' considerable and diverse music legacy. Toussaint takes to the keyboards to accompany Costello and other singers covering his songs. Lauper joins Thomas and the Dixie Cups for the percolating "Iko Iko," while Diana Krall lends her smoky vocals to Fats Domino's classic "I'm Walkin'."

The full rundown, in chronological order, is as follows:

Disc One

Disc Two

With such an excess of luminaries, it's inevitable that some stars will shine brighter than others. Diehard Parrotheads will probably disagree, but Buffett's set feels rote to this reviewer, with the exception of a rousing version of "Fins."

Among the highlights of the three-hour-plus show are performances from Thomas, Simon & Garfunkel and a barn-burning appearance by Creedence Clearwater Revival mastermind Fogerty. In a nod to blues enthusiasts, Kravitz, Cooder and Zydeco take the stage together for a smattering of blues standards. Then there is the inimitable Dirty Dozen Brass Band, which brings its infectious hybrid of jazz and funk to collaborations with Costello and Krall.

While there are perhaps a few too many self-consciously ironic songs about rain and storms (yeah, yeah, we get it already), most of the New Orleans-based musicians give stirring, poignant performances. Aaron Neville lends his gravity-defying falsetto to a powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace." The great Clarence "Frogman" Henry takes the microphone for his 1956 hit "Ain't Got No Home," and I'll be damned if the guy -- who was 68 at the time of the show -- doesn't still know how to sing like a girl and sing like a frog.

There isn't much else to say about the DVD. It's rock 'n' roll, jazz, blues and a generous dose of R&B. What else do you want?

Shown in full-frame 1.33:1 aspect ratio, the picture quality is thoroughly solid -- clean and clear, boasting realistic skin tones and vivid colors. The production also deserves kudos. Its presentation is straightforward, with little time wasted on extraneous cutaways of the Madison Square Garden crowd.

Viewers can choose between Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0. The 5.1 is superb quality – a big, fat, juicy sound that does justice to the passel of musical acts.

No extras are included, but with three hours of music stretched over two discs, who needs 'em?

Perhaps the best reason to purchase From the Big Apple to the Big Easy is that 100 percent of net proceeds from the DVD sale go to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Consider the musical talent involved just an added bonus.