It doesn’t feel like so long ago when we watched Billy Idol and Steven Stevens strut their stuff across MTV on a regular testosterone-laden basis. The pair is at it again on the In Super Overdrive Live DVD. Taken from a 2009 summer concert at Chicago’s Congress Theater, this 70-minute performance features songs from every stage of the man’s career. Luckily, he has a crackerjack five-piece band behind him to help recreate his biggest and most memorable tunes.
Idol is in decent voice and gets better as the night goes on. He looks handsome and buff (more cut than when I last saw him) and the set is a tight run through, with the punky pop star posing at the lip of the stage, pumping his fist, stripping off his shirt and staying out of the way of Stevens, who has always been a wonder in my book.
The beginning is shaky as Idol finds his way through “Super Overdrive,” “Dancing With Myself” and “Flesh For Fantasy.” Stevens’ slide work is showcased on “Touch My Love,” but he really wails on “White Wedding.” As the show progresses, Idol’s strong voice comes to the fore, especially on “Scream” and “Eyes Without A Face.” The latter opens with some acoustic from Stevens, who switches over to his signature electric midway. Everything blends in so well, you would think you’re listening to the actual studio recording.
There are a couple of unreleased tunes: “Touch My Love,” ingrained with typical Idol strutter, and the ballad “Cry.” A blistering “Read Steady Go” gets an airing from Idol’s Generation X days. The DVD ends with “Rebel Yell” and a sweet take of “Kiss Me Deadly” ends the DVD. There isn’t any bonus material, but who needs it? The sound is pristine and the camera work is fantastic as you are basically sitting right on stage with the band and hearing everything as it happened. If you want to relive the 80s with a snarl, In Super Overdrive Live is a great DVD to help you get there.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
