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Biff Rose

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

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.David Bowie covered the song "Fill Your Heart", co-written by Rose and Paul Williams, on his album Hunky Dory (1971). The tune was written by Rose and Williams, while the lyrics were written by Williams alone. This song was the B-side to Tiny Tim's 1968 single, "Tiptoe through the Tulips." Bowie also played another Rose song, "Buzz the Fuzz," in a 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, i.e. all at once, and is atonal at times

2005 saw 2 small indie (music) labels release compilations . In the US, a 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 vastly different from his airier, earlier recordings. Early work was piano based ,and lyrics followed in the tradition of Joseph Newman, and Rose returned again and again to Newman for lyrics. Later work includes paino ramblings and the negative use of Racial Steroetypes 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.


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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