专辑简介

by Thom JurekBetter late than never? Pegi Young is the founder of the Bridge School and the wife of Neil Young. Apparently, she's decided to open up her life quest to other avenues and to become a singer/songwriter (though she's appeared on backing vocals on a number of Neil numbers), as evidenced by her self-titled Warner Brothers debut. Produced by Elliot Mazer, it does feature significant contributions from Neil, as well as pedal steel and dobro master Ben Keith, legendary songwriter Spooner Oldham on piano and keyboards, and others. Mary Stuart makes a guest appearance with his mandolin on "When the Wild Life Betrays Me." Sonically, Neil Young fans will immediately embrace Pegi Young. A warm, slow, blend of acoustic/electric guitars and other stringed instruments frame these songs perfectly; what's more, it sounds as if it were made in ithe '70s. It's loose, relaxed, and flows from beginning to end. The song structures are a bit like her husband's, but that's a good thing. Her voice is quiet, a bit reedy, and a bit flat, and it serves the material well. The songs truly hold up. They are wry observations of life as it passes, where longing, vulnerability, insecurity, openness and strength are on view. Young accompanies herself on acoustic guitar, and digs into her words with a kind of detached conviction. But it's on her covers of three songs by Will Jennings that she gets across a kind of emotional terrain where "deep speaks to deep." Check her read of "When the Wild Life Betrays Me," a waltz written by Jennings with Jimmy Buffett, and Michael Utley; it's a country waltz that doubles as a broken heart ballad. "Hold On" was written by Jennings and Joe Sample; whereas the original is a slick neo-soul tune about love's desperation, this one is brought to life like a love letter written in front of the fire alone on a cold winter night. It's the most beautiful tune on the whole set.... Read More...