The Associated Press

Six weeks after Hurricane Katrina, some of the Crescent City's musical legends cut a therapeutic album dedicated to their ravaged hometown in an old Austin, Texas, recording studio.

At that post-Katrina recording session, names synonymous with New Orleans -- Neville, Porter, Nocentelli, Rebennack -- gathered as the New Orleans Social Club to channel their raw emotions into the bittersweet tribute, "Sing Me Back Home."

The great talents of the New Orleans music scene had been accustomed to living minutes away from each other in the Ninth Ward, but Katrina scattered them across Texas, Colorado and elsewhere.

"I think I live in South Austin," says Cyril Neville, still trying to get his bearings on his new home. On the album, he passionately sings Curtis Mayfield's "This Is My Country."

Many guests were brought in. Dr. John (whose real name is Mac Rebennack) plays "Walking to New Orleans"; John Boutte covers Annie Lennox's "Why"; and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux sings the specially composed "Chase."

As much of the album proves, emotions were running high. Between songs, many were busy tracking the damage to their homes, looking at old photos or speaking to family members dispersed by the storm.

Because portions of the proceeds from "Sing Me Back Home" will benefit the Salvation Army, the New Orleans Musicians Clinic and Music Cares, drummer Raymond Weber says he's in the funny position of raising money for his own cause -- to rebuild his home.

"I'm part of the project as well, because we did it for Katrina victims who want to come on back home," he says, laughing heartily. "I want to go back home!"

Ivan Neville is the son of New Orleans icon Aaron Neville, whose house was ruined in the floodwaters of Katrina. Like countless New Orleans residents, Ivan feels the government has let down his city and his people, which he expresses by covering Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son."

"A song like 'Fortunate Son' was pertinent when it was out during the Vietnam War," says Neville, who is currently living in Austin. "And the fact that that's still relevant now is ridiculous."

Much of the album, though, is full of toe-tapping optimism. The Mighty Chariots of Fire perform "99 1/2 Won't Do" and Irma Thomas and Marcia Ball sing "Look Up."

"Music always takes the place of anything that's negative," says Nocentelli, who lost an office space to the hurricane, and whose mother and sister lost everything. "Even though the negativity was there, the music overcomes that."

"The music heals," echoes Cyril Neville.

"It's never going to be the same, because a lot of the poorest people who had to leave are not going to be able to make it back," says Ivan Neville. "To me, that's a major part of the heart and soul of the city: the people."

Nocentelli thinks projects such as the New Orleans Social Club are vital.

"That's the only thing that's left," he says. "With people like the Meters, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Wild Magnolias -- the music will never leave it. That's something that nothing can take away from New Orleans."