SECOND BASE
Despite pursuing multiple projects already, three prog luminaries have concluded they’re simply not busy enough. As D’Virgilio, Morse &Jennings press the button on their cunningly titled Sophomore, Prog catches up with two-thirds of the group to find out how they’re packing everything in and whether they’re likely to make it a hat-trick of albums.
Words: Paul Ging
“That’s quite the look, Neal!”
cackles Nick D’Virgilio to his
buddy Neal Morse as the Zoom
call kicks in
The former Spock’s Beard and current D’Virgilio, Morse & Jennings compadres explode with laughter on first sight of each other, always a good sign, even when the interviewees already have reputations for being distinctly non-prickly. The reason for the mirth is Morse’s wide-brimmed blue hat and matching waterproof poncho. They’re joining Prog to talk about the “trio’s” (as Morse likes to call them) quickly realised second album, Sophomore. Morse has tied in a family road trip with his sister’s birthday celebration in the San Francisco Bay area, travelling from his home in Nashville. He joins us from a famous Nevada beauty spot.
“It’s morning in Lake Tahoe and I’m sitting by the campfire, dude!” he explains to D’Virgilio.