A cult hero to many of new "weird folk's" heavy hitters including Devendra Banhart, Biff Rose was an odd singer/songwriter who didn't fit into any comfortable niche when he emerged in the late 1960s. Often sounding like a Broadway songwriter with his jaunty piano and bouncy singalong melodies, the New Orleans pianist was like a vaudeville entertainer reincarnated as a spacy hippie. He added an arch, whimsical tone and sarcastic, ironic undercurrents to his songs that both reflected and mocked the counterculture, much like fellow musician and sometime collaborator, Van Dyke Parks. Highly revered by David Bowie, who covered the Biff Rose songs "Fill Your Heart" (co-written by Paul Williams) on his Hunky Dory album and "Buzz The Fuzz" in live performances. Rose also achieved some notoriety in the late 60's via network television appearances, particularly on Johnny Carson's show. Devendra Banhart probably states it best in his own inimitable way when he writes: "Biff Rose writes and sings from the heart of the universe... he is the good earth gently stomped upwards, and [while] i dont mean he, his music is a hermaphrodite child from wisdomville." We couldn't have said it better. Tracks: The Thorn In Mrs. Rose's Side: 1. Mama's Boy 2. Angel Tension 3. Fill Your Heart 4. Paradise Almost Lost (Poem) 5. Molly 6. The Stars 7. It's Happening 8. What's Gnawing At Me 9. Buzz The Fuzz 10. Gentle People 11. The Man Children Of Light: 12. Ain't No Great Day 13. Communist Sympathizer 14. Evolution 15. Just Like A Man 16. American Waltz 17. Son In Moon 18. Children Of Light 19. Ballad Of Cliches 20. To Baby 21. Color Blind Blues 22. Spaced Out/I've Got You Covered bonus tracks: 23 Take Care Of My Brother 24 Myrtle's Pies
