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:
- Classiness
- Grace
- Musicianship
- Poise
- Talent
- Positive Attitude
- Beauty
- Craig (Cali’s husband)
…in no particular order
— Anon
“Chris and I wanted to pass along a thank you! We have been playing your CD in the office this week and everyone here thoroughly enjoyed the tunes. Being on the front end of “tings,” it’s always nice to see and hear the finished product. It is especially nice when the music is as good as “Are you having any fun?”! Very serene. Thanks again for sharing.” [Disc Makers]
— Chris Bailey and Brian Jones of Disc Makers.
“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.”
— Stephen F.
“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.”
— Victor B.
“I absolutely love it! The song selection, vocals and musicianship are nothing less than stellar.”
— Bruce B.
“Excellent playing and also very professional recording. Great job. I hope the recording and your career go well.” [Ko’olau Ukulele Company]
— John Kitakis
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
— Ukulele Player, Aug 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.”
— Diane V.
“This is one of the best CD’s I have ever heard. I love it!!! Great voice…great production…great arrangements…great originals…great choice on the cover tunes.. great musicianship…great graphics, CD cover and photos. Great things in store for this CD and Cali Rose!!!”
— Jamie S.
I have your CD “Are You Having Any Fun” in my car. I listen to it when I drive home and want a sense of otherness from hard days work. It relaxes and melts the edginess I would otherwise bring home to my family, husband, dog and cat.
—P.D.