Troika (Bonus Track Edition) D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings

• 1Everything I Am05:43
• 2Julia06:07
• 3You Set My Soul on Fire03:22
• 4One Time Less04:53
• 5Another Trip Around the Sun04:39
• 6A Change Is Gonna Come04:24
• 7If I Could04:02
• 8King for a Day05:47
• 9Second Hand Sons04:43
• 10My Guardian03:43
• 11What You Leave Behind04:16
• 12Julia [Bonus Track] (Alternative Version)08:19
• Total Runtime59:58

Info for Troika (Bonus Track Edition)

Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, ex-Spock’s Beard), Neal Morse (Transatlantic, NMB, ex-Spock’s Beard), and Ross Jennings (Haken, Novena) are pleased to announce the formation of their new trio D’Virgilio, Morse & Jennings. The group has signed to InsideOutMusic for the release of their debut album ‘Troika’ in early 2022. Recorded during lockdown, the process began with Neal Morse writing some acoustic songs that he thought would be enhanced by strong vocal harmonies. He already knew how well his voice blended with former Spock's Beard bandmate and Big Big Train drummer/ vocalist, Nick D'Virgilio who came on board and, considering a third man, the Americans sought out Haken's Ross Jennings from the UK to complete the trio. All three found they had songs that would benefit from the three-part harmonic blend, and so they pooled their resources, input-ting creatively into each others compositions.

Recorded during lock-down, the process began with Neal Morse writing some acoustic songs that he thought would be enhanced by strong vocal harmonies. He already knew how well his voice blended with former Spock’s Beard band-mate and Big Big Train drummer/ vocalist, Nick D’Virgilio who came on board and, considering a third man, the Americans sought out Haken‘s Ross Jennings from the UK to complete the trio. All three found they had songs that would benefit from the three part harmonic blend, and so they pooled their resources, inputting creatively into each others compositions.

Neal comments: “What a great pleasure it’s been to work on this album with these amazing artists! It was kind of funny… We had been working on the songs remotely for several months before I finally heard all of us singing together at the same time. The first time I brought the faders up, I knew we had the magic!“

Nick adds: “I’ve known and worked with Neal for over 30 years and I’ve been a big fan of Ross and the music he makes for a long time. I felt confident right away that this would be a fun project to be a part of. I was so right.”

Ross comments: “Receiving ‘The Call’ from Neal to participate in this project was somewhat of a prayer answered… As a long time fan of their work, I’ve been singing along to Neal’s & Nick’s records for years, so it felt really natural for my voice to slot right in.”

The tracks took shape with the musicians recording all of the music and vocals separately, yet the eclectic performances burst with the energy and excitement of the collaboration. Acoustic anthems, charged rockers and sensitive ballads are all part of the mix, and the unique blend of Ross, Neal and Nick‘s voices and styles have created an album in which you will encounter these musicians in a way you’ve never heard before.

Nick D’Virgilio, Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Bass guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Tron Flute, Electric Guitar
Neal Morse, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Organ, Slide and Electric Guitar, Windkey, Electric Piano, Fretless Bass, Mandolin
Ross Jennings, Vocals, 6 & 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Ebow, Lead Electric Guitar, Synth

Nick D’Virgilio
Born in Whittier California on November 12th 1968, Nick began playing drums when he was 4 years old. "I went to the front door on Christmas Eve because some one knocked on it and when I opened the door to see who was there it was a blue sparkle Ludwig kit sitting there already set up. Did Santa carry it like that on his sleigh? I don't know but from that moment on I knew Santa was one cool cat. ...From there my Bro turned me on to Led Zeppelin and Genesis and the rest is history. I was a rocker from then on. I have to say I am very lucky and blessed. The drums came to me pretty easily and don't know why. I don't have any other drummers in my family."After high school, Nick attended the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. After studying drums for a while, Nick shifted his focus to the study of music theory/songwriting and vocals. Dispite the change in major, Nick continuted to play drums activley at the school with his fellow classmates.In 1990 Nick won the very 1st Guitar Center drum off and in 1992 he was first introduced to Neal and Al Morse at a blues jam in Studio City, CA. "We ended up sitting in together by pure chance. Neal told me about some PROG tunes he had written and that him and Al were thinking of putting a band together. I went with my wife Tiffany to Neal's house in LA and got the demos. I liked them very much and to make a long story short, I joined the guys and we started SPOCK'S BEARD. We didn't call our selves that at first, I think we called our selves AUGUST and then ONE. We played around town a few times but didn't do that much. Spock's ended up taking off a few years later.

Neal Morse
As a young musician, Neal's dream was like many others—to find success in the pop music world. But after years of struggling in the LA singer-songwriter scene, he realized that his dream would not materialize. Eschewing conventional wisdom, Neal took a courageous step: he about-faced and devoted himself to progressive rock, the music truly in his heart. The obscure and fiercely competitive genre held little chance of commercial success.

Undaunted, he formed the quirkily-named Spock's Beard with his brother, Alan. They recorded The Light with what money they could scrape together. Against all odds, it was a breakout success, sending shockwaves through the small genre's community. Over the next 10 years, Spock's Beard released 10 critically acclaimed CDs and 2 concert DVDs, ascending to the top of the "prog" world. Neal also released 6 CDs and 3 DVDs with Transatlantic, the heralded prog "supergroup" comprised of the world's finest prog musicians.

The proverbial wayward son, Neal had finally found the success he dreamed of. But something was missing. While on the outside Neal had it all^ on the inside, something was missing.

Morse came to realize that for him, embracing the Christian faith was the fulfillment of his spiritual quest. His walk was at once gradual and sudden—and like with so many, completely unexpected. As he continued, his path increasingly revealed more of what his heart had sought all along. Yet he also began to find his career growing at odds with his faith. The rising spiritual tension and increasing commercial success finally came to a head with the release of Snow (2002), Spock's Beard's (with Morse) magnum opus...and swan song.

The extraordinary 2-CD rock opera, composed by Morse, was widely acclaimed as the group's finest. But it was the end of the era. Neal felt God calling him out of his former musical life and into the unknown. He made the agonizing decision to leave Spock's Beard and Transatlantic. Despite having finally achieved the success he had long sought, Morse then had to begin all over again^ musically, emotionally and spiritually.

Neal then embarked upon the most ambitious musical project of his career. Entitled Testimony (2003), it chronicles his spiritual and musical journey in words and music. The 2 CD set (3 CDs for the Special Edition) spans over two hours as one continuous piece of music. It ranges in style from a full gospel choir to hard rock^ from a symphony orchestra to contemporary pop. A deftly woven musical tapestry, the album takes the listener on a fascinating journey as unique as the man behind it.

Artistically, Testimony was a remarkable solo achievement, with Neal not only writing, arranging and producing^ but singing the lead vocals and performing most of the instruments. Recognized as a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, he is endorsed as a guitarist, keyboardist and singer (Yamaha, Gibson, Rode Microphones, and others). Legendary drummer Mike Portnoy performed on drums, with guest guitarist Kerry Livgren ( Kansas) on several tracks.

The mainstream and CCM press alike lauded Testimony as was one of the best progressive rock albums of the year. It received numerous honors, from Progressive World (Top 5 Albums) to The National Review (10 Best of the Year). The ensuing world tour was captured on one unforgettable night at the beautiful Dutch concert hall, (named only as a number) 013, (013 is the telephone code of Tilburg) during his European tour. The performance (and tour) won him "Best Rock Tour" from the Dutch Progressive Rock Poll, besting nominees Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, RUSH and others. (Neal also won Best Album for the Testimony studio release.) Released as a 2-DVD set, Testimony Live (2004) showcases Neal Morse as a remarkably passionate and engaging live performer. On lead vocals, guitar and keyboards, Neal demonstrates why, after the European leg of the tour, England's Classic Rock Magazine included him in their "100 Greatest Frontmen of Rock" listing.

Morse's next studio album was a conceptual, progressive rock album entitled, One. Mike Portnoy returned to perform on drums (in what is regarded as perhaps his finest performance), and up-in-coming prog artist Randy George (Testimony Live) returned on bass. They were joined by legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy on several tracks. The result was more of a band-focused, straight-ahead sound than on Testimony, harkening back to Neal's Transatlantic work.

Neal also took a more collaborative approach on One, writing with Portnoy and George. The three artists worked together closely to capture and articulate Neal's vision^ his singular design enriched with their distinct voices. Continuing in the tradition of Snow and Testimony, One is epic in scope and sublime in nature. Like Testimony, One received numerous awards^ and for the first time, saw mainstream commercial radio airplay around the country.

Neal's third progressive rock album was steeped in mystery. Morse weaves a storyline that owes as much to C.S. Lewis as Indiana Jones. It’s presented as one continuous story, as the listener journeys in search of the Tabernacle, the biblical dwelling place of God. Entitled simply, “?”, Neal is joined by Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, Transatlantic), Steve Hackett (Genesis), and Randy George (Ajalon).

Neal's newest prog epic is as thrilling as it is controversial. Morse tells a compelling and sometimes macabre tale of the darkness that inevitably follows when Man elevates himself to God. On another level, the album presents a fast-paced account of Martin Luther's dangerous reformation of the Church in the Middle Ages. Bursting with emotion and thrills, Morse is unflinching in his description of the Church's abuses, and profound in his respect for anyone who rises up against tyranny. The album Sola Scriptura closes not with an end but a beginning—his sublime conclusion to how anyone of us can bring salvation to humanity.

Ross Jennings
Born on Feb 7th 1984 in Salisbury, UK, Ross grew up in Sutton, Surrey and picked up the guitar from a young age. Despite having semi-regular guitar lessons throughout his school days, Ross is mostly self-taught. Ross was rhythm guitarist in his school band ‘Lost Child’ and went on to form local band ‘REDADOS’ with some friends from Surrey.

His affinity with the guitar remained merely a hobby whilst he explored his passion for film-making and working as a freelance photographer. Reconnecting with his school friends after completing his studies, HAKEN were conceived and eventually officially formed in 2007, with Ross as the lead vocalist and lyricist.

The hugely successful modern progressive metal band HAKEN, need no introduction in some circles, having released 1x EP, 1x Live album and 6x full length studio albums of consistently high quality. They have been climbing their career mountain with grace and gusto, albeit on the fringe of mainstream rock and metal. In 2019 HAKEN won ‘Best UK Artist’ at the annual PROG awards, with their latest release ‘Virus’ reaching #2 in the UK rock charts and entering the US Billboard Hot 100 at #52.

Also a member of UK progressive metal act, NOVENA, Ross’s undeniable appeal is his uniquely soothing yet versatile voice and captivating lyricism. Novena have so far released 1 EP and 1 Full length album to critical acclaim.

In 2017 Ross was selected to front 'Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress’, a show that featured Ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy performing the legendary '12 Step suite' among other classic Dream Theater anthems. The show was performed and toured internationally throughout 2017 and received fantastic reviews.

2020 gave Ross the opportunity to write and record his debut solo album A SHADOW OF MY FUTURE SELF which was released in November 2021. The album sees Ross as vocalist and guitarist, stepping slightly away from his Progressive Metal niche with songs crying out for mainstream Rock Radio...

This album contains no booklet.