Given the chosen name of this artist and band, you might expect that the goal here is to sound as New Orleans as humanly possible. Sure enough, Big Easy Rick & N’awlins’ lyric references to City Park, the bayou, etouffee, “They All Ask’d for You,” gumbo, Bourbon Street, go-cups, fried alligator, Mardi Gras, red beans and rice, the Saints and jambalaya—and that’s just on the Christmas song, which rolls along on a “Hey Pocky Way” type groove. If you’ve got any cynicism about this city, you’d better check it at the door.

Big Easy Rick (real name Rick Windhorst) is in fact so crazy about his hometown that he runs the risk of getting carried away: “New Orleans Sunday Afternoon” makes that time and place sound like nothing short of heaven, “Hugga Bugga Choo Choo” celebrates the street music he grew up with, and his song about Jazz Fest, “Ain’t Been to the Fest,” could double as an ad for the event. Even the couple of love songs (including the title track, about meeting his wife) sneak in some local color.

The potential for cheesiness is everywhere, but there’s enough sheer exuberance here to win you over—especially since the music evokes the most vintage local R&B, and Rick’s gregarious voice is as New Orleans as his lyrics. (Producer and co-writer Greg Barnhill probably helped as well: He was one of the guys behind the wonderful all-star Christmas Gumbo album that came out just before Katrina). The best track here, “Listen to the Doctor,” suggests that a shot of Mac Rebennack will cure your ills, and that’s a sentiment we can always get behind.