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'''Paul "Biff" Rose''' is an ] ] and ].
]
'''Paul "Biff" Rose''' is an ] ] and ].


Born in ], Rose first came to prominence as a banjo-toting standup comedian, profiled in ] in 1965. By 1966 he moved to ], working as a comedy sketch writer with ] for a host of television variety shows, ultimately working with some regularity on the ] show. Eventually, Rose moved back to songwriting. ] covered the song "Fill Your Heart", co-written by Rose and ], on his album '']'' (1971). The music was written by Rose and the lyrics were written by Williams. This song was also the ] to ]'s 1968 hit single, "Tiptoe through the Tulips." Bowie played another Rose song, "Buzz the Fuzz," in live performance . Other Rose songs were covered by John Denver and Pat Boone . Born in ], Rose first came to prominence as a ] on ]'s tv show, with ]. He eventually turned his focus to music, and] covered the song "Fill Your Heart" on his record '']'', the music and lyrics of which were written by ] with Rose collaborating on the melody. This song was the ] to ]'s single, "Tiptoe through the Tulips." Bowie played another Rose song, "Buzz the Fuzz," in one live performance . Other Rose songs were covered by John Denver and Pat Boone .


Following the release of 1968's ''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side'', Rose made several memorable appearances on ] '']'' from 1968 to 1970. . He also performed his songs on '']'', '']'' , and ] ''Playboy After Dark'' . He emceed the Atlantic City Pop Festival of 1969 , and the Atlanta Pop Festival of 1970 . Rose was a sometime guest on ] '']'' from 1968 to 1970. . Rose was also a guest or performed on '']'', '']'' , and ] ''Playboy After Dark'' . He emceed the Atlantic City Pop Festival of 1969 , and the Atlanta Pop Festival of 1970 .


1978's ''Roast Beef'' was produced by ] and recorded in a single take. 1978's ''Roast Beef'' was recorded by ] in a single take and has been described as violent piano improvisation .

2005 saw a revival of label interest in Rose's work. A US CD re-released his Tetragrammaton albums and singles, and a UK compilation covered Rose's work from 1968 through 1985.


2005 saw 2 small ] labels release compilations . A US, CD gathered his Tetragrammaton output, and a UK compilation covered Rose's work from 1968 through 1985.
]
==Musical Style== ==Musical Style==


Rose's later work is much different from that of his 60's and 70's output. Where those earlier works were piano based, and lyrics followed in the tradition of ], and Rose returned again and again to Newman for lyrics, the newer recordings includes piano ramblings and the negative use of ] On one of Rose's official websites, ] is targeted , resulting in accusations that Rose practices ] ; It is said that Rose denies the charge, though there are no sources cited to support this.
Rose's early work consists of unaccompanied piano and vocals as well as more heavily orchestrated numbers. His lyrics have been described as romantic and humorous, while promoting a left-wing ] philosophy . His piano-playing has been described as jaunty, reminiscent of pre-] Broadway ].



Rose's work of the past ten years differs from his early recordings. He has introduced spoken word and ] elements into his songs; some recordings experiment with extended song forms and eccentric instrumentation. He makes controversial use of ]s. In his web-based art, Christ and Hitler are referenced often, apparently as icons/personifications of good and evil. Many of his websites, such as , openly deal with race and religion. This has resulted on various online postings criticizing Rose of being ] and ] . It is said that Rose denies the charge.


==Discography== ==Discography==
]
]


===Officially Released===
===Full Length Releases ===
*''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side'' (1968, Tetragrammaton)
*''Biff, Cliff, and Warren'' (1961)
*''Banjo and Ballyhoo'' (1963, Angry Young Man Records) *''Children of Light'' (1969, Tetragrammaton)
*''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side'' (1968, Tetragrammaton, re-released on Buddah)
*''Children of Light'' (1969, Tetragrammaton, re-released on Buddah)
*''Biff Rose'' (1970, Buddah) *''Biff Rose'' (1970, Buddah)
*''Half Live at the Bitter End'' (1971, Buddah) *''Half Live at the Bitter End'' (1971, Buddah)
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*''Roast Beef'' (1978, Down Pat/Pacific Arts) *''Roast Beef'' (1978, Down Pat/Pacific Arts)
*''Thee Messiah Album/Live at Gatsby's'' (1979, Pacific Arts) *''Thee Messiah Album/Live at Gatsby's'' (1979, Pacific Arts)

*''Bone Again'' (1996, Fast Eddy)
===Self Released===
*''The Elizabethan Period'' (2000, GoddessOne)
*''Biff, Cliff, and Warren'' (1961 live to tape recording)
*''E-Stir Parade'' (2003, Wascals)
*''Live At The Earl Of Oldtown'' (recorded 1977, released 2003, Wascals) *''Banjo and Ballyhoo'' (1963, self released home recording, Angry young man recordings)
*''Bone Again'' (1996, released on cdr byFast Eddy)
*''The Knight Wigguh and the Nippie Higger'' (2004, Wascals)
*''The Elizabethan Period'' (2000, released on cdr by GoddessOne)
*''E-Stir Parade'' (2003, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecord & Stuff)
*''Live At The Earl Of Oldtown'' (recorded 1977, released 2003, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecord & Stuff)
*''The Knight Wigguh and the Nippie Higger'' (2004, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecords & Stuff)


===Singles=== ===Singles===
*''What's Gnawing At Me/Molly'' (1968, Tetragrammaton) *''What's Gnawing At Me/Molly'' (1968, Tetragrammaton)
*''Buzz the Fuzz/Gentle People'' (1968, Tetragrammaton) *''Buzz the Fuzz/Gentle People''(1968, Tetragrammaton)
*''Take Care of My Brother/Myrtle's Pies'' (1969, Tetragrammaton, non-album single) *''Take Care of My Brother/Myrtle's Pies'' (1969, Tetragrammaton, non-album single)
*''I Forgot to Tell You/The Captain'' (1970, Buddah) *''I Forgot to Tell You/The Captain''(1970, Buddah)
*''Rudolph'' (1971, United Artists) *''Rudolph'' (1971, United Artists)
*''Garbage/Lord I Done Bumped Into You'' (1972, United Artists) *''Garbage/Lord I Done Bumped Into You'' (1972, United Artists)


===Compilations=== ===Out of Print Compilations===
*''Urban (folk) Renewal: Blue Dog Cellar'' (1962, Kimberly) *''Urban (folk) Renewal: Blue Dog Cellar'' (1962, Kimberly)
*''Put Your Hand in the Hand'' (mid 1970's, Pickwick) *''Put Your Hand in the Hand'' (mid 1970's, Pickwick)

*''The Acoustic Highway Collection: The Road To Country Rock '' (EMI, 1996)
===In Print Compilations===
*''The Acoustic Highway Collection: The Road To Country Rock '' (EMI, 1996)
*''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side/Children of Light'' (2005, Water Records) *''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side/Children of Light'' (2005, Water Records)
*''Fill Your Heart With Biff Rose'' (2005, RPM Records) *''Fill Your Heart With Biff Rose'' (2005 RPM Records)

==References== ==References==


* Promotion for the includes very detailed bio of Biff Rose by Thom Moore. * Promotion for the bio of Biff Rose by Thom Moore.
* by Kimberly Chun * San Francisco free weekly piece by Kimberly Chun
* *
* , Esquire, Apr. 1969, reviews an early Tonight Show appearance. * , reviews an early Tonight Show appearance.
* of ''Half Live at the Bitter End'' comedy album, further commentary on "Tonight Show" appearances, 1971. * of ''Half Live at the Bitter End'' comedy album.
* Richie Unterberger's review of 1972 album ''Uncle Jesus Auntie Christ'' * review of 1972 album ''Uncle Jesus Auntie Christ''
* Richie Unterberger's biography on ]. * Richie Unterberger's biography on ].
* and are references to ] Jan-Feb 1973 Max Kansas City shows opening for Biff Rose. * and references to ] Jan-Feb 1973 Max Kansas City with Biff Rose.
* compliment Biff Rose. * talks of Biff Rose.


==Links== ==Links==
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* *
* *
*
* Biff Rose's musings. * Biff Rose's musings.


] ]
] ]
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{{Persondata {{Persondata

Revision as of 22:50, 21 January 2006

File:Biffpaint.jpg
Biff with "body-painting" cover photo for "The Elizabethan Period" CD, circa 2000.

Paul "Biff" Rose is an American Television Writer and singer-songwriter.

Born in New Orleans, Rose first came to prominence as a writer on Mort Sahl's tv show, with George Carlin. He eventually turned his focus to music, andDavid Bowie covered the song "Fill Your Heart" on his record Hunky Dory, the music and lyrics of which were written by Paul Williams with Rose collaborating on the melody. This song was the B-side to Tiny Tim's single, "Tiptoe through the Tulips." Bowie played another Rose song, "Buzz the Fuzz," in one live performance . Other Rose songs were covered by John Denver and Pat Boone .

Rose was a sometime guest on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show from 1968 to 1970. . Rose was also a guest or performed on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, American Bandstand , and Hugh Hefner's Playboy After Dark . He emceed the Atlantic City Pop Festival of 1969 , and the Atlanta Pop Festival of 1970 .

1978's Roast Beef was recorded by Mike Nesmith in a single take and has been described as violent piano improvisation .

2005 saw 2 small indie (music) labels release compilations . A US, CD gathered his Tetragrammaton output, and a UK compilation covered Rose's work from 1968 through 1985.

File:Biffpress.jpg
Biff in the late 70's.

Musical Style

Rose's later work is much different from that of his 60's and 70's output. Where those earlier works were piano based, and lyrics followed in the tradition of Joseph Newman, and Rose returned again and again to Newman for lyrics, the newer recordings includes piano ramblings and the negative use of Racist Stereotypes On one of Rose's official websites, Judaism is targeted , resulting in accusations that Rose practices antisemitism ; It is said that Rose denies the charge, though there are no sources cited to support this.


Discography

Officially Released

  • The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side (1968, Tetragrammaton)
  • Children of Light (1969, Tetragrammaton)
  • Biff Rose (1970, Buddah)
  • Half Live at the Bitter End (1971, Buddah)
  • Uncle Jesus, Aunty Christ (1972, United Artists)
  • Hamburger Blues (1974, Sweet Jane Limited)
  • Roast Beef (1978, Down Pat/Pacific Arts)
  • Thee Messiah Album/Live at Gatsby's (1979, Pacific Arts)

Self Released

  • Biff, Cliff, and Warren (1961 live to tape recording)
  • Banjo and Ballyhoo (1963, self released home recording, Angry young man recordings)
  • Bone Again (1996, released on cdr byFast Eddy)
  • The Elizabethan Period (2000, released on cdr by GoddessOne)
  • E-Stir Parade (2003, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecord & Stuff)
  • Live At The Earl Of Oldtown (recorded 1977, released 2003, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecord & Stuff)
  • The Knight Wigguh and the Nippie Higger (2004, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecords & Stuff)

Singles

  • What's Gnawing At Me/Molly (1968, Tetragrammaton)
  • Buzz the Fuzz/Gentle People(1968, Tetragrammaton)
  • Take Care of My Brother/Myrtle's Pies (1969, Tetragrammaton, non-album single)
  • I Forgot to Tell You/The Captain(1970, Buddah)
  • Rudolph (1971, United Artists)
  • Garbage/Lord I Done Bumped Into You (1972, United Artists)

Out of Print Compilations

  • Urban (folk) Renewal: Blue Dog Cellar (1962, Kimberly)
  • Put Your Hand in the Hand (mid 1970's, Pickwick)

In Print Compilations

  • The Acoustic Highway Collection: The Road To Country Rock (EMI, 1996)
  • The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side/Children of Light (2005, Water Records)
  • Fill Your Heart With Biff Rose (2005 RPM Records)

References

Links

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