Springsteen jabbed at the political powers he blamed for New Orleans' slow recovery after Hurricane Katrina. Perhaps the most pointed comments came as he prepared to sing an old song, How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?, rewritten for New Orleans. Noting that he visited the city's 9th ward, possibly the most devastated area, Springsteen said: "I saw sights I never thought I'd see in an American city," and added: "The criminal ineptitude makes you furious."
It was the biggest musical event since Katrina struck last summer. Bob Dylan was also among the high-profile names alongside local music stars.
