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

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

Born in New Orleans, Rose was profiled in Time magazine in 1965. He moved to Hollywood by 1966, working as a comedy sketch writer with George Carlin for television variety shows, finally signing on with the Mort Sahl show. Rose next turned to songwriting. David Bowie covered the song "Fill Your Heart", co-written by Rose and Paul Williams, on his album Hunky Dory (1971). The music was written by Rose and the lyrics were written by Williams. This song was also the B-side to Tiny Tim'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 .

Following the release of 1968's The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side, Rose made some appearances on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show from 1968 to 1970. . He also was 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 and is atonal in places.

2005 saw 2 small indie (music) releases interest in Rose's work. A US CD re-released his Tetragrammaton output, and a UK compilation covers some of 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. His lyrics have been described as romantic and humorous, while promoting a left-wing hippie philosophy . His piano-playing has been described as jaunty, reminiscent of pre-World War II Broadway musicals. He makes a point of mentioning Joseph Newman's poetry and writing, which he has returned again and again for inspiration, and in some cases simply used Newman's words and put them to tunes.

Rose's later work differs from his early recordings. He has introduced spoken word and rap elements into his songs; some recordings experiment with extended song forms and eccentric instrumentation. While doing this he has also made negative and controversial use of racial stereotypes. Many of his websites, such as www.Jewmanity.com, use racist language and deal with religion. This has resulted on various online postings criticizing Rose of being antisemitic and racist .

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

Links

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