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Biff Rose

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File:Biffrosebeer.jpg
Biff relaxing in 2000.

Biff Rose is a performer who got his start in entertainment as a as a comedy sketch writer with George Carlin for a host of television variety shows, ultimately finding work on the Mort Sahl show.

Paul Williams wrote the music and lyrics, based on a melody crafted by Rose for a song called "Fill Your Heart". Tiny Tim recorded the song as the back side for his single, "Tiptoe through the Tulips." David Bowie recorded the song, including it on his 1971 release, "Hunky Dory'. 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 appearances on The Tonight Show at the end of the decade. . He performed on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, American Bandstand , and Hugh Hefner's Playboy After Dark . He was the emcee at the Atlantic City Pop Festival of 1969 , and did the same job at the Atlanta Pop Festival of 1970 .

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 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 ; 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

External Links

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