First of all, Fats Domino will never surpass the majesty of his 1950s recordings, so don’t pick this up expecting him to. Secondly, the presence of electric keyboards, synthesizers, vibraphones, steel and slide guitars on a Fats Domino recording takes some getting used to. But when it’s all said and done, this is a very good CD, particularly from a 78-year-old who had to be evacuated in a boat from his home in the wake of Katrina. This is Domino’s first new release (excluding reissues) in a decade, and some of this material is post-K, but I’m guessing some might be at least 15-years-old. The title track has a big fat sound and is coy and attractive — if you can get past the bizarre synthesizer break. The slowish “Love You ‘Till The Day I Die,” and the bouncy “I’ll Be Alright” are pure and traditional Domino. Sonny Landreth overdubs some busy slide guitar on “I Spent All My Money Lovin’ You” (a Bobby Charles tune), which listeners will deem as cool or inappropriate. “Give Me Some” returns to the subject of New Orleans and food, and what can be more Domino than that?

Stuck In the middle of the album is perhaps the best performance, the slow moaner “One Step At A Time,” which is right out of 1958. Domino deals another ace on the cover of Floyd Tillman’s country weeper, “It Makes No Difference Now.” He recycles “Every Night About This Time” and “Ain’t That A Shame,” with “Every Night” being closest to the original, and “Shame” closing out the 13-track set. Welcome back Mr. Domino. New Orleans is certainly a better place with you than without you.

A fundraiser for Katrina-affected musicians, Alive and Kickin’ probably won’t be available at your favorite music retailer. To obtain this CD, visit www.tipitinasfoundation.com, or call 866-372-0512. Locally, call 504-207-0512.