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Revision as of 05:28, 31 January 2006 by King Wales (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Paul "Biff" Rose is an American American Television Writer and singer-songwriter.
Biff Rose first came to prominence as a television writer working as a comedy sketch writer with George Carlin for a host of television variety shows, ultimately finding work on the Mort Sahl show. Eventually, Rose moved back to songwriting.
Paul Williams wrote the music and lyrics, based on a melody by Rose for a song called "Fill Your Heart" eventually appearing on David Bowie's record, "Hunky Dory'. 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," once in live performance . His songs were also covered by John Denver and Pat Boone .
Following the release of his debut record, Rose made a few appearances on The Tonight Show at the end of the decade. . He also 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 two small indie (music) labels release compilations . One CD, released in the United States gathered his Tetragrammaton output, and a UK compilation covered Rose's work from 1968 through 1985.
Musical Style
Rose's later work is different in how it was created, as well as how it was recorded, and also deals with much more mercurial issues than that of his first few records. Where those earlier works were piano based, and lyrics followed in the tradition of Joseph Newman, who Rose returned again and again for lyrics, the newer recordings include piano ramblings and the negative use of Racist Stereotypes On an offficial website of Rose's, Judaism is targeted , resulting in accusations that Rose practices antisemitism .
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
- 2005 Interview in Bay GuardianSan Francisco free weekly piece by Kimberly Chun
- Reviews of Biff's albums 1968-1970
- Robert Christgau column, reviews an early Tonight Show appearance.
- Robert Christgau review.
- Biff Rose review of 1972 album Uncle Jesus Auntie Christ
- Biff Rose Richie Unterberger's biography on allmusic.com.
- Here and Springsteen show with Biff Rose.
- 2004 Paul Williams liner notes talks of Biff Rose.
External Links
- One Biff Rose official website
- Another Biff Rose official website
- Here's another Biff Rose official website
- And one more Biff Rose official website
- Biff Rose's message board Biff Rose's musings.