D'VIRGILIO, MORSE & JENNINGS: TROIKA

Copied over from a review I wrote on the forum in the "non prog album reviews" thread.

I tried to get this trio added to Progarchives because the three individuals are all prog musicians, but it was deemed not proggy enough. Which is fair, the sound is more Crosby Stills Nash and Young or Simon and Garfunkel, than the usual output of Nick D'Virgilio, Neal Morse, and Ross Jennings.

The idea for this collaboration came together during the covid lockdown, and was at the instigation of Neal Morse, who had wanted to do a more acoustic album for a while. He invited his long-time friend Nick D'Virgilio to come on board, and the trio was completed by Ross Jennings of Haken. Because of covid the album was recorded remotely, making it all more remarkable that the harmonies turned out so well.

So what we have is a collection of pretty much acoustic songs, occasional use of electric guitar and drums, great melodies, fantastic harmonies. Five songs are attributed to Neal, three to Nick, two to Ross, and a final song which appears in two alternative versions, one attributed to Jennings and Morse, and the other just to Jennings.

Track list:

1. Everything I Am (Morse): A bright start with a chorus that sticks in your head

2. Julia (Jennings and Morse): This is the song that also appears in longer form as a bonus track attributed only to Ross Jennings. Ross submitted it to Neal but he didn't feel it fitted the style of the album so he shortened it and tweaked it. The bonus track version is longer and quite different, both versions are excellent.

3. You Set My Soul On Fire (D'Virgilio): Another nice song, though in my opinion not as good as the first two.

4. One Time Less (Morse): Very catchy, bouncy song

5. Another Trip Around The Sun (Jennings): Another catchy tune, Neal's favourite vocal trick of counterpoint vocal lines a la Gentle Giant is used in the middle of this song.

6. A Change Is Gonna Come (Morse): Taking the tempo down now, this is very much in the vein of a 1960s protest song

7. If I Could (D'Virgilio): Yet another catchy tune, nice use of keyboard here (a windkey, whatever that is).

8. King For A Day (Jennings): Probably the heaviest song on the album, and one that it took me a while to get into.

9. Second Hand Sons (Morse): Another heavier track, this one is better than King For A Day. Puts me in mind of Neil Young's "Southern Man" at one point.

10. My Guardian (D'Virgilio): Still a bit on the heavier side, though less so than the previous two songs. Nothing special about this one.

11. What You Leave Behind (Morse): Beautiful song to finish. Acoustic guitar based, great vocal harmonies, lovely message.

I can totally recommend this album to anyone who likes CSNY and similar bands.

This project came about with Neal Morse writing some acoustic songs that he thought would be enhanced by strong vocal harmonies, so of course he turned to his old friend Nick D'Virgilio. One must remember that not only have they worked together in bands and on albums, but they have toured Europe together in this format (check out the excellent 'Nick 'n Neal live in Europe - Two Separate Gorillas' release from 2000). They have a relaxed camaraderie, and as soon as this commenced I was reminded of the feeling of Neal's 2001 solo album 'It's Not Too Late', not musically but just with the atmosphere. However, they decided it would be nice to bring in a third voice so they approached Haken's Ross Jennings and collectively pooled their resources, working on each other's material.

Incredibly this, like many albums from this period, was recorded individually as it really does sound as if all three are in the same studio bouncing off each other. The focus is very much on three-way harmonies, a modern taken on CSN if you like, with the three of them not only providing all the harmonies but whatever instrumentation was required. They move through different styles, and while there is little here which could remotely be thought of as prog, even though that is the genre with which they will always be associated, there is no doubt that fans of Spock's Beard "June" will soon get into this. But there are times when I think of The Byrds, CSN, and the other great bands who relied on vocal harmonies like this, but interestingly they have kept the accompaniment complex yet simple, so one never thinks of Steely Dan as this is just too clean and acoustic for this.

While there is no doubt that fans of Spock's Beard and Haken (plus all their other ventures) are going to seek this out, but those who enjoy the classic American vocal harmony rock style also needs to give this is a listen as this is sheer fun throughout

It is said that it is not wise to start a review with a cheer. Well, this boy thinks quite differently. I would like to shout it from the rooftops that Nick D'Virgilio, Neal Morse and Ross Jennings have delivered a fantastic album with "Troika". Okay, I'll be nice and get some things sorted out first.

The only downside to this album is that the gentlemen have not really given a name to their collaboration project. Only mentioning the surnames is a bit simple in my opinion, while a good band name was up for the grabs. To me this company is called Troika, but hey. I think their album is so sublime, what are we complaining about?

Let's introduce them (if necessary). Nick D'Virgilio and Neal Morse have a common past with Spock's Beard and currently play in Big Big Train and The Neal Morse Band, respectively. Ross Jennings is the front man of prog metal band Haken and it is the combination of these three musicians that is interesting. Everyone is a singing all-rounder with compositional qualities and a backpack full of experience. Can't go wrong!

On this well-sounding work, it is a multitude of sparkling acoustic guitars and flawless 3-part harmony vocals that predominate. Meanwhile, there is room for a swinging organ, electric guitar and lots of interesting percussion. All of this naturally thrives perfectly in the eleven compositions of the album where strong melody lines and catchy themes reign. The Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young sound of this music is full of expression, skill and exuberance. You can stick labels on it as much as you want, it is certainly not explicit prog, it is all the more fresh singer-songwriter music. It is typical for a musician to look over the wall in addition to his regular work.

The album kicks off with three songs that were also released as a single. First of all, there's the catchy Everything I Am that perfectly captures the album's CSNY intentions. You will not get a copycat feeling in any way and you will be captivated by their honest craftsmanship. The harmony vocals are really great and so is the percussive underlay on which the song floats. Wonderful guitars and a ditto organ complete the gloating. The following Julia is a suit from the same sheet. Noteworthy here is the frivolous piano solo by Ross Jennings. Julia was also added to the album as an alternate version. This bonus track is over eight minutes long and shows the song as Jennings originally intended. So the regular album track was made later after Neal Morse rewrote the composition. The third single from the album is You Set My Soul On Fire. This somewhat lighter composition was written by Nick D'Virgilio and he also does the lead vocals with his beautiful voice.

After these accessible songs, they continue in this mode with One Time Less. Somehow I always make a Phil Collins association with the country song. Don't ask me why. From then on there is a lot of variation and that while a lot of acoustic guitar and broad harmony vocals always remain in the front. For example, Another Trip Around the Sun has a somewhat sultry 70s atmosphere with the head voice of Jennings as the figurehead and A Change Is Gonna Come with its political text goes towards Eddie Vedder's "Into The Wild".

If I Could stands out because of a lascivious bass rhythm that makes you think you are somewhere in Ghana. Responsible for this is Tony Levin, the man who really knows how to get everything out of his bass guitar. With songs such as King For A Day and Second Hand Sons, Troika has a nice and solid sound. Especially Second Hand Sons with its Kravitz / Hendrix sauce is a treat. Finally, there are the two closers My Guardian and What You Leave Behind, of which the latter can join the list with the most melancholy, yet also cheerful closings in their territory.

"Troika" is a hugely entertaining album, a piece of work created by three born musicians. Well, this boy has had enough jubilation. Now your turn.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com