The survivors include Spooner Oldham, Kelvin Holly, Rick Rosas and Phil Jones.

Singer-songwriter Pegi Young has said, “I’m just trying to tell some stories and make music that I can get behind.” That conviction has never rung truer than on her latest album, Bracing For Impact (2011). Her third release, and second for Vapor Records, the 11-song disc spotlights Pegi’s beautifully spare and resonant vocals, world-weary and eloquent lyricism, and hushed yet immediate emotional landscape.

Bracing For Impact features Pegi once again accompanied by her acclaimed recording and touring band, The Survivors: legendary keyboard player Spooner Oldham on piano, bassist Rick Rosas (part of the reunited Buffalo Springfield), guitarist Kelvin Holly, and drummer Phil Jones. The album was produced by Pegi Young with The Survivors, with the exception of the final track, “Song For A Baby Girl,” produced by Elliot Mazer (who co-produced Young’s last full-length, Foul Deeds).

Eight of the album’s 11 songs are originals written by Pegi Young, with highlights including “Flatline Mama”—featuring a horn section and background vocals from The Watson Twins—“No Heart Beats Sound,” and “Trouble In A Bottle.” Neil Young wrote the rollicking “Doghouse,” and contributes background vocals and harmonica as well. Neil is also featured playing electric guitar on “Lie” and “Song For A Baby Girl,” and on harmonica for “Number 9 Train,” written by the late bluesman Tarheel Slim. On “I Don’t Want To Talk About It”—a song by Crazy Horse’s Danny Whitten that first appeared on that group’s 1971 album—Chandra Wilson delivers additional vocals.

Bracing For Impact follows up 2010’s Foul Deeds, which Pegi co-produced with veteran multi-instrumentalist Ben Keith (who passed away shortly after the album’s release). In addition to her own compositions—with highlights including “Broken Vows,” “Starting Over,” “Traveling,” and the title track—Foul Deeds features Pegi’s distinctive interpretations of four songs by others: Will Jennings' “Pleasing to Me,” Lucinda Williams' “Side of the Road,” Devendra Banhart's “Body Breaks,” and B. Boatman's “Blue Sunday.” Throughout, Pegi displays an uncanny knack for cutting to the heart of thorny emotional issues and difficult truths.

Pegi first became known through her longtime role as backup singer—onstage and on record—for Neil Young, her husband of three decades. Pegi and Neil, whose son Ben was born with cerebral palsy, also founded the non-profit Bridge School in 1986, serving children with severe speech and physical impairments. The school’s innovative methods have established it as a leader in its field, and the Youngs are also the driving force behind the annual all-star Bridge School Benefit concerts. As well, Pegi is the president of the school's Board of Directors.