Relisten

View NotesVida May 19, 1978
Bar Deluxe, Hollywood California
THE FINAL GIG
Total Time: 41:57
Aud Analogue Cassette>Analogue Cassette>CDR>flac
Taped by Dean 'Always on the Scene' Abromovich

01  Ponce  3:13  (Cadena, Troccoli)
02  Catfish  2:47  (Cadena, Bowman, Troccoli)
03  My Cup Is 1/2 Full  3:48 (Cadena)
04  5 Hours In Oakland  1:58  (Troccoli, Hurley)
05  Joey  1:42  (Cadena, Hurley, Bowman, Troccoli)
06  Shit, Or Get Off The Pot  1:53  (Troccoli, Bowman)
07  Contractions Of Love  3:20  (Troccoli, Hurley)
08  Ravenssong  1:45  (Cadena, Troccoli)
09  Hey Wilma  4:26  (Cadena, Troccoli)
10  Birdies Are Singing  4:08  (Troccoli, Hurley)
11  Unconditional  6:17  (Cadena, Troccoli)
12  Cosmic Slop  6:34  (Clinton, Collins, Worrell)

Dez Cadena: Guitar & Vocals
George Hurley: Drums
Bill Bowman: Bass & Vocals
Tom Troccoli Guitar & Vocals

All words and music copyright 1994-1998 Pru Music (BMI). All Rights Reserved.
EXCEPT: Cosmic Slop copyright Bridgeport Music (BMI)

Not a great sounding tape, and although the set list to this one is nearly identical to our 5/5/98 KXLU appearance, I decided to post it anyhow, if only for historical purposes.
Although it wasn't yet known that this would be the final gig, the smell of ugh was in the air. When I hear this set, I hear a whole lot of anger, bitterness, and sadness. The sadness is what I remember the best. You can hear it at the very end of the set, the band ends Cosmic Slop, but I don't. I keep playing until they fall back in behind me. The band ends the tune again, but I don't. Again, I keep playing until they all join in on one last big ol' Vida finale. I simply did not want to let go.
Even through the anger, or perhaps because of it, Dez rips solo after majestic solo. Playing too loud, and lancing and cutting with feedback and guts. The final 'Unconditional' is also the longest we ever played. Extended solo at the head, in the middle, and at the end, and for me it's still not long enough. I always promised myself that if I ever was in a band with Dez, I would NEVER play a solo. I would just kick back and listen to HIM. Here he reminds me why. The slashing vicious hammering on 'Hey Wilma' is absolutely wicked. The hideous feedback at the 3 minute 14 second mark leading back into meaty solos of nuclear power is one of a kind. I was stunned that night, and I still am.
There's a part of me that still hopes that the four of us will find ourselves in the same room again, with say a few guitars and drums lying around and that this will turn out to NOT be the final gig.
Thanks to all our friends, fans, and supporters through the 4-years that I rode the roller-coaster that was Vida!
Tom Troccoli