Biff Rose: Difference between revisions
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'''Paul "Biff" Rose''' is an [[United States|American]] [[Stand-up comedian|comedian]] and [[singer-songwriter]]. |
'''Paul "Biff" Rose''' is an [[United States|American]] [[Stand-up comedian|comedian]] and [[singer-songwriter]]. |
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A minor songwriter. [[David Bowie]] covered the song "[[Fill Your Heart]]," a melody by Rose and song and lyrics by [[Paul Williams (songwriter)|Paul Williams]], on his album ''[[Hunky Dory]]'' (1971). |
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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. [http://howlinwuelf.com/_wsn/page3.html] Eventually, Rose moved back to songwriting. |
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Following the release of 1968's ''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side'', Rose appeared a few times on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|The Tonight Show]]''. [http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-aow/column6.php][http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/search.do?singleDateMonth=12&singleDateDay=11&singleDateYear=1970]. |
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[[David Bowie]] covered the song "[[Fill Your Heart]]," co-written by Rose and [[Paul Williams (songwriter)|Paul Williams]], on his album ''[[Hunky Dory]]'' (1971). The song was originally released by [[Tiny Tim (musician)|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 [http://www.5years.com/early.htm]. Other Rose songs were covered by John Denver [http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~nisenora/jd-discography-top1.html] and Pat Boone [http://www.mp3.com/albums/1983/summary.html]. |
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Following the release of 1968's ''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side'', Rose made several memorable appearances on [[Johnny Carson|Johnny Carson's]] ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|The Tonight Show]]'' from 1968 to 1970. [http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-aow/column6.php][http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/search.do?singleDateMonth=12&singleDateDay=11&singleDateYear=1970]. He also performed his songs on ''[[The Smothers Brothers|The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour]]''[http://www.smothersbrothers.com/episodes.htm], ''[[American Bandstand]]'' [http://www.tv.com/joe-south---biff-rose---rhetta-hughes/episode/168294/summary.html], and [[Hugh Hefner|Hugh Hefner's]] ''Playboy After Dark'' [http://www.tv.com/playboy-after-dark/carla-thomas-don-adams-bill-dana-the-checkmates-amazing-kreskin/episode/356975/summary.html]. He emceed the Atlantic City Pop Festival of 1969 [http://www.e-rockworld.com/AtlanticCity.htm], and the Atlanta Pop Festival of 1970 [http://www.classicrockpage.com/newslet/issues/aug11.htm]. |
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1978's ''Roast Beef'' was produced by [[Mike Nesmith]] and recorded in a single take. |
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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. |
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==Musical Style== |
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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 [http://jhendrix110.tripod.com/BiffRose.html]. His piano-playing has been described as jaunty, reminiscent of pre-[[World War II]] Broadway [[musical theatre|musicals]]. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:xn5uak6k5m3v~T1] |
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Rose's work of the past ten years differs from his early recordings. He has introduced spoken word and [[Hip hop music|rap]] elements into his songs; some recordings experiment with extended song forms and eccentric instrumentation. He makes controversial use of [[racial stereotype]]s. In his web-based art, Christ and Hitler are referenced often, apparently as icons/personifications of good and evil. Many of his websites, such as [http://www.Jewmanity.com www.Jewmanity.com], openly deal with race and religion. This has resulted on various online postings criticizing Rose of being [[antisemitism|antisemitic]] and [[racism|racist]] [http://www.coolname.com/pipermail/maplepost-mirror/2003-April/014606.html]. It is said that Rose denies the charge. |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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===Full Length Releases === |
===Full Length Releases === |
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*''Biff, Cliff, and Warren'' (1961) |
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*''Banjo and Ballyhoo'' (1963, Angry Young Man Records) |
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*''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side'' (1968, Tetragrammaton, re-released on Buddah) |
*''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side'' (1968, Tetragrammaton, re-released on Buddah) |
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*''Children of Light'' (1969, Tetragrammaton, re-released on Buddah) |
*''Children of Light'' (1969, Tetragrammaton, re-released on Buddah) |
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*''Half Live at the Bitter End'' (1971, Buddah) |
*''Half Live at the Bitter End'' (1971, Buddah) |
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*''Uncle Jesus, Aunty Christ'' (1972, United Artists) |
*''Uncle Jesus, Aunty Christ'' (1972, United Artists) |
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*''Hamburger Blues'' [w/ Wall Matthews] (1974, Sweet Jane Limited) |
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*''Roast Beef'' (1978, [[downpatrecords]]/Pacific Arts) |
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*''Thee Messiah Album/Live at Gatsby's'' (1979, [[downpatrecords]]/Pacific Arts) |
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*''Bone Again'' (1996, Fast Eddy) |
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*''The Elizabethan Period'' [w/ Elizabeth Suggs] (2000, GoddessOne) |
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*''E-Stir Parade'' (2003, Wascals) |
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*''Live At The Earl Of Oldtown'' (recorded 1977, released 2003, Wascals) |
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*''The Knight Wigguh and the Nippie Higger'' (2004, Wascals) |
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===Singles=== |
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*''What's Gnawing At Me/Molly'' (1968, Tetragrammaton) |
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*''Buzz the Fuzz/Gentle People'' (1968, Tetragrammaton) |
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*''Take Care of My Brother/Myrtle's Pies'' (1969, Tetragrammaton, non-album single) |
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*''I Forgot to Tell You/The Captain'' (1970, Buddah) |
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*''Rudolph'' [features Biff and his children] (1971, United Artists) |
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*''Garbage/Lord I Done Bumped Into You'' (1972, United Artists) |
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===Compilations=== |
===Compilations=== |
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*''Urban (folk) Renewal: Blue Dog Cellar'' [live compilation w/ 3 other artists] (1962, Kimberly) |
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*''Put Your Hand in the Hand'' [odd various artist compilation featuring songs from 1970's ''Biff Rose''] (mid 1970's, Pickwick) |
*''Put Your Hand in the Hand'' [odd various artist compilation featuring songs from 1970's ''Biff Rose''] (mid 1970's, Pickwick) |
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*''The Acoustic Highway Collection: The Road To Country Rock '' [features previously unreleased 1972 track] (EMI, 1996) |
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*''The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side/Children of Light'' (2005, Water Records) |
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*''Fill Your Heart With Biff Rose'' (2005, RPM Records) |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 19:25, 11 May 2008
Paul "Biff" Rose is an American comedian and singer-songwriter.
A minor songwriter. David Bowie covered the song "Fill Your Heart," a melody by Rose and song and lyrics by Paul Williams, on his album Hunky Dory (1971).
Following the release of 1968's The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side, Rose appeared a few times on The Tonight Show. [1][2].
Discography
Full Length Releases
- The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side (1968, Tetragrammaton, re-released on Buddah)
- Children of Light (1969, Tetragrammaton, re-released on Buddah)
- Biff Rose [some copies titled Ride On] (1970, Buddah)
- Half Live at the Bitter End (1971, Buddah)
- Uncle Jesus, Aunty Christ (1972, United Artists)
Compilations
- Put Your Hand in the Hand [odd various artist compilation featuring songs from 1970's Biff Rose] (mid 1970's, Pickwick)
References
- Promotion for the Water Records Compilation includes very detailed bio of Biff Rose by Thom Moore.
- 2005 Interview in Bay Guardian by Kimberly Chun
- Reviews of Biff's albums 1968-1970
- Robert Christgau column, Esquire, Apr. 1969, reviews an early Tonight Show appearance.
- Robert Christgau review of Half Live at the Bitter End comedy album, further commentary on "Tonight Show" appearances, 1971.
- Biff Rose Richie Unterberger's review of 1972 album Uncle Jesus Auntie Christ
- Biff Rose Richie Unterberger's biography on allmusic.com.
- Here and here are references to Bruce Springsteen's Jan-Feb 1973 Max Kansas City shows opening for Biff Rose.
- 2004 Paul Williams liner notes compliment Biff Rose.