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Biff Rose

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

Born in New Orleans, Rose first came to prominence as a banjo-toting standup comedian, profiled in Time magazine in 1965. By 1966 he moved to Hollywood, working as a comedy sketch writer with George Carlin for a host of television variety shows, ultimately working with some regularity on the Mort Sahl show. Eventually, Rose moved back to songwriting.

David Bowie covered the song "Fill Your Heart," co-written by Rose and Paul Williams, on his album Hunky Dory (1971). The song was originally released by Tiny Tim as the B-side to his 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 .

Following the release of 1968's The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side, Rose made several memorable appearances on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show from 1968 to 1970. . He also performed his songs 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 produced by Mike Nesmith and recorded in a single take.

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.

Musical Style

Rose's early work consists of unaccompanied piano and vocals as well as more heavily orchestrated numbers. 1978's Roast Beef was recorded by Mike Nesmith in a single take and has been described as, "wild, violent piano improvisations." .

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, a poet whose work Rose returned again and again for lyrics, his newer recordings include 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

Discography

File:BbiffRose.jpg
Biff Rose 1996.
File:BiffRose.jpg
Biff Rose circa 1970

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

External links

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