Matthew Sweet - Shape Shifter (2021)

Originally part of the burgeoning music scene in Athens, Georgia, during the 1980s, alternative rock singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet garnered commercial success in the 1990s, following the release of his third solo-album, Girlfriend in 91. The record was voted, by many music journals, as one of the finest of the year, with online resource The AV Club labelling it the best power pop album of the 1990s. Its follow up, 1993 s Altered Beast, featured a cornucopia of guest musicians, including Mick Fleetwood, Jodi Richards from Big Star, Pete Thomas from The Attractions and, crucially, ex-Television guitarist Richard Lloyd. Following the album s release, Sweet and band - including the aforementioned Mr. Lloyd - went off touring the record (and its predecessor), and on Independence Day 1993 played at Chicago s Petrillo Bandshell, in Grant Park, as part of that year s Taste Of Chicago Festival. Giving a quite extraordinary performance, the group stormed through a set lasting over 70 minutes, which was recorded and broadcast over FM radio across the state of Illinois. Previously unreleased, the complete show is now included on this CD, providing a dynamic example of just how powerful Matthew Sweet and his crew were at this early point in his lengthy career, still as productive and creative today as ever he was.