I was listening to it at work today, the songs are very clever and your voice is gorgeous! Keep up the good work, and WAKE UP.

Note:  This album was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album in the 2009 Hawaii Music Awards. It didn’t win and some folks were a little upset about that, like Ric Douglas, who wrote me the message below…

8 things That Can’t Be Robbed From Cali Are:

1. Classiness
2. Grace
3. Musicianship
4. Poise
5. Talent
6. Positive Attitude
7. Beauty
8. Craig (Cali’s husband)

…in no particular order

“…a sweet and simple joy to listen to.  What an uplifting array of music and lyric.  I am so impressed with your originals, your poetry, singing, and with your ukulele playing! It’s a first class production, and I wish you all the success that you have merited in the sales and distribution.”

“‘It’s a P.M.S. Kind of Day,’ ‘The Doggie-Doo Blues,’ ‘Pooey, Pooey, Pooey, It’s Christmas,’ and other humorous songs about life in the 90’s fill this sparkling collection, entertaining written and sung and beautifully produced.”

“Hey Cali! Absolutely fabulous set… it was an honor to share a stage with you. I swear I’ve listened to your comedy disc a million times. I was singing along to “PMS Kind Of Day”. I hope to play with you again soon =)”

“My favorite song on your new CD is the waltz that describes your first car. I play it over and over being reminded of the VW bug that was my first college car.”

“…the consistency I’ve heard in the songs are in the ‘spirit’ you successfully impart to your music.  Music is rightfully comprised of several facets much beyond notes, chords and arrangements and I especially enjoy how I feel when I listen to your music.” [Kimo Hussey]

“Cali, I wanted you to know directly that I find your current CD a wonderful pleasure to hear. My enjoyment began with the first bar of “Are You Having Fun!” Yes!

Cali Rose shows her versatility with this CD. She strums, picks, and sings her way into your heart with a combination of fun little ditties, love songs, and a few classics. I love “True Love,” “Beautiful, Beautiful Hanalei,” and “Soup Du Jour.” Those three songs were just wonderful. Kudos to Jim Beloff and Herb Ohta for “Soup Du Jour.” That was the highlight of the album. I do want to acknowledge Cali Rose’s “Home Is Where I Set My Tushie Down.” It is a tune with cute lyrics and a meaning that is inspirational. This CD was a very nice mix of tunes and styles. If you like upbeat, positive, happy songs, this CD is for you. Read the entire review (in PDF) from Ukulele Player Magazine, Issue 7, August 2009

“Congratulations on your success. You are putting smiles on people’s faces far and wide. What pleasure–and humor. I tell you, my tush is happier for having listened.”

“Hi young lady – I wear a size 10 shoe, and I have forever – big feet give us a good foundation and able to deal with life with all its good and bad surprises.”

“Congratulations to you on your joyous, funny, uplifting CD! I especially like ‘I woke up’ and Happy Birthday. And related so well to the saga of the VW (my ’67 red bug remains my favorite car of all
time, it ran like it thought it was a Porsche.) Great singing and playing and arrangements, what a wonderful gift you have bestowed on your fans. I wish you many sales, that the fun may spread to the furthest reaches of your mandala and beyond.”

“Had no idea you play the uke! Loved the Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay song!!! You have a wonderful touch – the intro on “The Fishing Hole” is just gorgeous!”

“I have officially worn out your new CD! I have played it at home, in the car, in other people’s cars, on the computer….you name it. I love it! Every song has its own personality and unique vibe. What truly makes it special is the fact that it puts one in a good mood immediately and makes even the worst of days seem not so blue. I don’t have a favorite because they are ALL my favorites! Thank you!”

“I’ve been loving listening to it in my car as I jaunt down the street, singing along with it. It is just a superb CD!  The production is splendid with everything clear, precise and balanced.  Especially, the slower songs reveal the nuances of your voice (e.g., Maui Nights, Beautiful Dreamer, Sweetheart, True Love).  Your uke playing is just wonderful!  Really neat arrangements, and skillful precise playing.  Every note, high and low, is in tune and perfectly rendered.  You do some amazing ukelizations.  Your singing is also wonderful. You are really versatile and with great presentation and arrangements.  Nice back up singing too.  What a pro you are.  Cali, dear, this is just a marvelously enthralling and professional recording showing off your best stuff, and I’m enjoying it immensely.”

“So we have listened to this 3 times: before dinner over appetizers, during dinner, and now after. It is sooooo wonderful. We are toe tapping now as before. Sooooooo positive and re-affirming. Rudy the Cat listened intently as well. Honestly it is really quite an awesome accomplishment. It is indeed an “Ode to Joy.” How we must all remember our first cars with such fondness. Lore’s first was a little blue truck with a stick shift. I learned how to sorta drive a stick shift in that truck. I could do everything but play the clutch on a hill. I settled for an automatic sedan, but seem to arrive safely most times. Loved all of it, but “We Got Rhythm” and “It’s Easy to Play the Ukulele,” of course, resonated with me. I will try to believe that we all got rhythm 🙂 Wow! Really such a special artistic achievement! Yay!”

“I play your CD in the car and it gets me through our beach traffic!”

“Your song ‘Happy Ever After, No Such Ting’ and ‘Home is Where I Sit My Tushie Down’ really made me smile and I loved the ‘Beautiful Beautiful Hanalei’ and ‘Maui Nights.’  You have a marvelous gift.”

“I just wanted to write how much I enjoy “Are You Havin’ Any Fun.” I hope this doesn’t sound like an odd type of compliment, but it is of the highest order. If my mom were to sing to me it should be in your voice. And one more compliment, the Hawaiian songs you did – they are done as if you were a local.”

“I absolutely love it!  The song selection, vocals and musicianship are nothing less than stellar.”

“Cali Rose has contributed her CD “Are You Having Any Fun?” as a door prize. If you aren’t having any fun, you will be when you listen to her sing and play the ukulele. Funny, ironic and too cool to conga! This is what the uke is all about, thanks Cali!”

“Cali, it is so fine.  The arrangements, the mixing, the production level, not to mention your gorgeous vocal sound and the ukulele playing.  Just excellent.  All the work you did month after month — it’s all there.  What I like more is that you deliver what you promised.  All the songs make one smile; they tickle and tease.  This is what you wanted to do.  Make us smile.”

“I LOVE the CD!!!! I am on my second listen and this morning I found myself just smiling. I actually have felt “not so happy” lately and then a series of things, your CD being one of them, turned on the happy inside. My favorites so far: This Morning Something Wonderful, Big Feet, There’s a Little Goodbye in Ev’ry Hello, and Boogie Down. Thank you so much.”