“I wanted to tell you how much I love your CD. I’ve already loaded it on my iPod. Cali, your songs are fantastic and I hope you can find a way to make money as the Publisher. Others are going to want to play those songs.”

“Your new CD is awesome! I’ve been listening to it all evening!”

“…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.”

“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!”

“‘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.”

“Got your CD and played it going to work today. It is wonderful!!!!!! Does put a big smile on my face.”

“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.”

If you are looking for an album that will chase away the blues and bring rainbows and sunshine into your life, this is the album for you!

Sharon is a freelance entertainment journalist, book reviewer and columnist published in the Las Vegas Review Journal and Ventura County Star, among others. 

“I really liked your CD. My 2 favorites were by you; Set Your Tushie Down and Maui Nights.”

“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.”

“Just played your CD twice and loved it each time. Is the story of your VW bug true to life? The songs you write always amaze me. So creative.”
(Says Cali: Yes, everything in the song really happened. To my first car AND me.)

I had your music on and two guests mentioned how beautiful the music was. One guest sat near my blue bottle garden and listened to your entire album.

“By the way, your tunes are very danceable – we’ve tried and they work well!”

“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!!!”

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

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

“Cali is a witty, charming songwriter with a great sense of humor. Her keen sense of the obvious is truly a gift, seriously. All the simple things right under our noses that we may overlook in a particular situation, Cali sees them and hand it back to us in a delightful and enchanting musical display. There are no “fluff” words here. She calls them as she sees them and make no mistake, although the content makes us laugh, Cali Rose is an exceptional artist with a serious love for music.”

“We fully appreciate your lovely renditions, plus you really transfer your unique touch to the instrument as it sings along with your vocals!”

“I have to say again how very much I enjoy your CDs. It feels like you singing just for me when I listen. Maybe it’s because I know you or perhaps it’s because I have seen you perform live, I don’t know. Your music feels personal to me. I am just as happy for you and you furthering your career. If I owned an airline, you’d have you own audio channel. Then again, I know how you feel about flying…”

“Just wanted to let you know that I am thoroughly enjoying your music. You have a new fan here in Connecticut… Here’s to smiles and sunshine.”

“Sunny new release from Southern California-based Cali Rose. This time around fully 12 of the 13 tracks are by Ms. Rose with the only non-original (a nifty uke instrumental of Ode To Joy) by Mr. Beethoven. Lots of upbeat songs here like the opener “This Morning Something Wonderful Happened To Me (I Woke Up)” as well as fun songs about “Big Feet”, “My First Car” and even “It’s Easy To Play The Ukulele.” Smilex3 is a great sounding disk featuring Calis fine uke chops and her warm vocals joined by other studio pros on bass, drums, vibes, steel guitar and clarinet. Cali’s Ukulele Ohana group also sings with her on a couple of the tracks! A perfect summer disk!” 

“I am feeling so good – listening to your CD. it is really wonderful. you have such a gift in knowing how to say/sing uplifting words/messages. the ode to joy is the perfect ending too. Thank you!!”