A truly wonderful artist working in a specific New York tradition who I've been monitoring and lauding on here for a while. Joanna Sternberg, a Folk musician in the best and simplest sense, working primarily with piano and acoustic guitar.
I've Got Me is her second album, following Then I Try Some More, the magnificent debut which I went on and on and on about in 2019. It's housed in another beautifully drawn sleeve, Joanna's own work as are the animated illustrations for individual songs which I've posted here. Truly a personalised statement of resonance, resilience and depth. All invitations to a whole inner world of pain, and determination to maintain a central kernel of innocence and wonder in the face of relentless attack from the wicked and mendacious agents of the evil empire. The Man!
Sternberg's songs are reminiscent of the infantilism of Jeffrey Lewis and Tanya Dawson in terms of their basic minimalism, but there's a greater depth, musicianship and sophistication at work here I'd say. Her true antecedents I think is the Greenwich Village Folk scene of the sixties, which produced Fred Neil, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Karen Dalton, the seeds of The Lovin Spoonful, Byrds, Mamas & Papas. And erm... Bob Dylan .This bunch produced a few decent tunes.
Sternberg also owes a considerable debt to Carol King and that's not a bad talent to be in hock to. The songs here come across as nursery rhymes, gospel tunes, advertising jingles, whatever you choose. They're the great American Songbook. Oz. Whatever you want. This record is really as good as that.
Sternberg is not shamed by being placed among such exalted company. She's so gifted that she belongs here. I've Got Me is a record you've heard before but will want to hear again. The fact that it has just received an 8.6 review on Pitchfork is an indication that her star is well and truly on the rise. Long may it continue to do so.
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