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Music has always been the language of New Orleans, so it's no surprise that as the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina arrives, many of the Crescent City's artists are expressing themselves through song.

Hometown son and Grammy-winning composer Terence Blanchard, who has very publicly criticized the government's handling of Katrina, gives us the magical "A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)."

Blanchard scores Spike Lee's movies, including his HBO documentary "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts." The documentary details how New Orleans survived Katrina; it was the breaking of the levees that caused the horrific destruction of the town from which most of its residents have yet to recover in any meaningful way. Much of the music featured here in this CD had its origins in "When the Levees Broke."

The sorrow, the anger, the devastation and the hope are all played out through Blanchard's trumpet and with the aid of fellow musicians, including pianist Aaron Parks. The centerpiece is the elegiac, haunting, eight-minute "Levees," but the entire song cycle demands our attention in a powerful, searching way.

The Subdudes, a jam band before the term was even coined, have just released "Street Symphony," a 12-song set that looks back at a post-Katrina New Orleans. Like the city from which many of its members hail, the Subdudes' have always taken different genres — rock, folk, Cajun, soul, etc. — and concocted their own gumbo. The grooves have always kept the music fairly upbeat, and while the subject matter of some of the songs is hard hitting, count on the Subdudes to still have listeners tapping their toes.

It's nearly impossible to pick one artist as the face of New Orleans music: For some people, it's Professor Longhair. Others choose Dr. John, the Preservation Jazz Hall Band, the Neville Brothers, the Marsalis Brothers, Irma Thomas or Harry Connick Jr. For many, it's Fats Domino, who brought us such modern day classics as "Blueberry Hill" and "Walkin' to New Orleans." Domino was rumored to be dead after he stayed in his home during Katrina's wrath, but, luckily was found alive, although not so well. His poor health precluded his playing the headlining gig at the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, but he returned to the stage for the first time since Katrina in May 2007.

On Sept. 25's "Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino," more than 30 artists interpret songs made famous by Domino. Among the participants are Elton John, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Paul McCartney, Bonnie Raitt, BB King, Lucinda Williams, Joss Stone, NorahJones and Neil Young.

Proceeds from the sale of the Vanguard Records set go to a number of causes, including helping rebuild Domino's home in the decimated Lower 9th ward, as well as purchase instruments for New Orleans public school students. The Tipitina's Foundation (named after the legendary N.O. club) executive produced the two-CD set.

According to a recent article in Entertainment Weekly, up to 70 percent of the musicians who call New Orleans home remain displaced. In addition to the Tipitina's Fund, a number of other charitable organizations are working to help New Orleans regain its rightful place on the musical map by providing everything from instruments to housing for musicians. Many of them are founded/funded by fellow musicians. For example, co-founded by U2's the Edge, MusicRising is dedicated to replacing instruments and gear for musicians (musicrising.org). Musicians' Village, an effort helmed by Connick, Branford Marsalis and Habitat for Humanity, is building housing for 70 homeless musicians (nolamusiciansvillage.org). While there is still a tremendously long way to go toward restoring New Orleans, such groups are doing their part to ensure the music keeps playing.