Louisiana Truckstop (Man of Steel, 1999)

Barbara Cue, an Athens, Ga. "sorta supergroup" got together after discovering a shared affection for a band once described in Spin as "The Grateful Dead with talent" - NRBQ. However, the Barbara Cue doesn't try to mimic the goofy charm of the 'Q. That's probably a good thing, because this debut featuring William Tonks (ex-6 String Drag), Todd Nance (Widespread Panic), Jon Mills, Crumpy Edwards and John Neff (Star Room Boys, Drive-By Truckers) would likely only be goofy.

There is a NRBQ cover ("Little Floater") and pictures of them all wearing sunglasses (for no reason at all - tres 'Q) in the CD jacket. But mainly what you get is a very fun, laid-back album that combines country, blues, rock and R&B influences, with charm and talent. Sorta of like (but not really), well, you know. And songs like "For One Thing" and "Back to Town" do have the sort of sucker-for-sweet melodies that NRBQ perfected. OK, so the 'Q influence is there. But for better or worse, there are no songs about Captain Lou Albano.