April 21, 2000
Web posted at: 4:41 p.m. EST (2041 GMT)

(CNN) -- In 1996, classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma collaborated with double bassist Edgar Meyer and violist/fiddler Mark O'Connor on "Appalachia Waltz." Their exploration of American roots music was a huge crossover success, and the album debuted at No. 1 on the classical charts.

The album also offered the three virtuosos an opportunity to learn more about their individual, and collective, talents.

"It was a situation that offered something to each of us, in terms of our own desires just to get better on our instruments, or to learn more about music," Meyer said. "And I think we all found room to do that in this group."

While touring in support of "Appalachia Waltz," the trio discovered something akin to a fourth member -- their "group voice," O'Connor calls it.

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Heeding that "voice," Ma, Meyer and O'Connor returned to the studio to record the follow-up "Appalachian Journey." The album also features the vocal stylings of James Taylor and Alison Krauss.

Working with Meyer and O'Connor was even more pleasant the second time around, Ma said. "There's a shorthand between the three of us and so we kind of know what to go for," he said. "Before, we were just trying to get to know one another."

"The music writes itself" on the second album, Meyer said. "You imagine each person kind of doing what they do and then you just try to stay out of the way."

Tune in to WorldBeat this weekend to hear the crossover bluegrass renderings of "Appalachian Journey."