I've got a funny story about "Appalachian Journey" the classical-crossover album recorded by Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer & Mark O'Connor. I was at the somewhat yuppified Loews E-Walk Theater on the "new" 42nd Street. James and I were on line to buy a box of Milk Duds. I heard the voice of James Taylor (former President James Taylor, to Simpsons fans) singing Stephen Foster's "Hard Times" backed by a string trio.

"Oh, this must be from that new Yo-Yo Ma 'Appalachian' thing I saw a special on Metro Arts about," I said.

"Yep," said James.

And there was a pause as we listened for a moment until James remarked, "you know. . . there's something a little off about listening to a millionaire sing 'Hard Times' as you stand in a multiplex waiting for Milk Duds."

So, yes, that is a position one can take on this album.

But it isn't my position. I kinda dig this album. Look, I'm a know-it-all when it comes to rock 'n roll and much of what falls under the umbrella of jazz, but I'll admit I don't know too much about classical performance. I never really understood how one can rate an instrumentalist in a genre that disallows improvisation. I mean, once you achieve a certain perfunctory level, i.e. you hit all the right notes in the right tempo, haven't you kinda hit a plateau?

Obviously, the answer is no, but I haven't figured out why just yet. Until then, I'll give and say that Yo-Yo Ma is a genius and the guy who played in the orchestra that recorded the score to Rocky is just a hack.

As for the music of Appalachia, all I really know I learned on the Harry Smith Anthology and from borrowing a Bill Monroe CD which puts me, yes, in the top three percentile, but that still makes me no expert.

So I've no real level of expertise to stand on in this review. I will say this, though – this record is pretty cool! Basically, you've got a trio (cello, violin & bass) jammin' out on all sorts of songs that you've probably heard in the background of Ken Burns documentaries. Actually, all but four of the fifteen songs are originals, but I always say that a reel is a reel is a reel.

It's certainly an experiment to "classical-ize" these American folk tunes. I find myself quite impressed with bassist Edgar Meyer, who, strangely, does rock out with quite a bit of backbeat on the "Misty Moonlight Waltz" The violin and cello are achingly beautiful throughout this unique album. Appalachian purists will no doubt be annoyed that Yo-Yo Ma and Mark O'Connor don't squeak or screech, but their gentrification of the genre sounds terrific to my ears.

This is all instrumental, save for Taylor's appearance on "Hard Times" and some whistling he does on his self-penned melancholy tune "Benjamin." "World Café" mainstay Alison Krauss shows up for the Stephen Foster tune "Slumber My Darling." I've no need for Alison Krauss, at least not til Judy Collins dies, so this recording kinda gets on my nerves. I have, though, made a mental note to get to know the work of Stephen Foster other than these two songs – which I already knew. I'll file that right next to my vow to better familiarize myself with the music of Noel Coward, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Mission of Burma and The Move.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, this is a Barnes & Noble album if ever there was one. (There are four Web sites listed on the inside flap!) And maybe it's just 'cause I'm in a good mood that I'm not pissing over it. But I doubt it. There's undeniable talent here, unlike the populist junk that is the usual target for my scorn. So, you know, if your mother has a birthday coming up and you don't want to get her a complete piece of junk, I recommend this. You may find yourself borrowing it some day.