line up x (1971-72)

- Chip Carpenter -- rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar

- Bucky Wiener -- lead guitar, acoustic guitar

  supporting musicians (1972)

- Harry Bluestone -- violin

- Ann Goodman -- cello

- Jim Keltner -- drums, percussion

- Bob Morin -- drums, percussion

- Ray Neipolitin -- bass

- Joe Osborne -- bass

- John Raines -- drums

- Michel Rubini -- piano, keyboards

- none known

Genre: folk-rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title: Two Friends

Company: Natural Resources

Catalog: NR-101L
Year: 1972

Country/State: Los Angeles, California

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: fold out sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $30.00

The mid-'70s found Motown trying to break into the pop and rock markets via subsidiary labels like Rare Earth and the short-lived Natural Resources (this was the first LP released on Natural Resources). Knowing nothing about the pair's backgrounds, I've always been curious as to how singer/guitarists Chip Carpenter and Bucky Wiener attracted the label's attention.  They clearly weren't groomed by the Motown organization as future superstars, though there's an online reference claiming the pair were each paid $6,000 and given a moped for their work.

Produced by the late Tom Wilson and backed by members of the famed Wrecking Crew, 1972's "Two Friends" was an unexpected surprise. The album featured eleven original tracks written collaborative and separately by Carpenter and Wiener.  For a pair of newbies the results were impressive.  Yes, it was easy to spot their influences -  early America, CS&N, Neil Young all coming to mind, but I could certainly think of less impressive acts for them to have admired.  The album benefited from the fact Carpenter and Wiener both had nice voices. As displayed by the country influenced "Falling Through My Dreams" Carpenter's voice was twangier than Wiener's. In contrast  Weiner's higher pitched vocals bore a modest comparison to Neil Young.  Their underlying strength came from harmonizing.  On tracks like "Long Way Hard Road" and "Set Your Sails" the results were easily as good as anything on a CSN&Y performance.  The album certainly wasn't a perfect debut.  Exemplified by tunes like "Vickie", "Old South Bend" and "Can’t Find Home" there were far too many country-rock ballads and that was ultimately the set's shortcoming.  Including a couple more up-tempo rockers would have made all the difference in the world.  Still well worth checking out.

"Two Friends" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Long Way Hard Road (Chip Carpenter - Bucky Wiener) - 3:45 rating: **** stars

Based on earlier reviews my expectations for this album were marginal.  Once again I was wrong.  Sporting a pretty piano propelled melody, the ballad "Long Way Hard Road" recalled a mix between early America (check out the "la-las") and CSN&Y (emphasis on Stills and Young).  Lovely opening.

2.) Must Be the Wrath (Bucky Wiener - Chip Carpenter) - 4:26 rating: **** stars

With backing from the Wrecking Crew "Must Be the Wrath" was the album's toughest, most rock-oriented tune. With a touch of CSN&Y-styled social commentary and some Steven Stills-flavored lead guitar, It was also one of the standout performances.  The song was used as the "B" side on the French-only "Move with the Music" 45.

3.) Vickie (Bucky Wiener) - 3:48 rating: ** stars

"Vickie" was a pretty, but pedestrian "heartbreak" country-rock ballad.  I'll add a pedal steel guitar warning to this one ...

4.) Falling Through My Dreams (Chip Carpenter) - 2:27 rating: ** stars 

A bouncy piano powered number, Carpenter's "Falling Through My Dreams" took the sound in a country direction.

5.) Set Your Sails (Bucky Wiener) - 4:23 rating: **** stars

The orchestrated ballad "Set Your Sails" would not have sounded out of place on a CSN&Y album.

(side 2)
1.) Move with the Music (Bucky Wiener) - 3:02 rating: **** stars 

The atypical dance-ready "Move with the Music" opened up with a funky Joe Osborne bass line, plenty of Latin percussion and bouncy horn charts. Shame it was so short.  The song was tapped as a single in France:

- 1972's "Move with the Music" b/w "Must Be the Wrath" (Rare Earth catalog number 2C006-93853)

2.) Old South Bend (Bucky Wiener - Chip Carpenter) - 2:27 rating: *** stars

"Old South Bend" offered up another sensitive singer-songwriter ballad.  Pretty, but again forgettable.

3.) Can’t Find Home (Chip Carpenter) - 3:37  rating: *** stars

Another acoustic ballad, "Can’t Find Home" was worth hearing for the tasty acoustic guitars.  

4.) Now That It’s Over (Bucky Wiener - Chip Carpenter) - 3:09 rating: **** stars 

Sporting a breezy melody and supported by the Wrecking Crew, "Now That It’s Over" was the album's most pop-oriented performance. Nice track to hear the pair's individual voices and their blended harmonies. Michel Rubin on keyboards and another nice bass line from Joe Osborne. Would have made a nice single.

5.) Geri (Bucky Wiener) - 3:09 rating: *** stars 

ASB ... another sweet ballad.

6.) I’ll Be Free (Bucky Wiener - Chip Carpenter) -1:38 rating: **** stars 

Featuring Harry Bluestone on violin and Ann Goodman on cello, "I'll Be Free" was the album's prettiest, albeit briefest performance.  Yes, another ballad, but the fragile, almost classical arrangement was arresting.

Taken in Death Valley, the Mia Plesser cover photo has always reminded me of an album released by the band Summerhill.

 © Scott R. Blackerby July 2025