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

Your album is terrific!  Indeed, it IS AMAZING what 4 strings will do !  Especially in your hands! Your energy and talent just blasts out of the speakers. Yes, you INDEED “got rhythm.”  The album very definitely celebrates the simple things-  like Smiling- like grabbing a little sunshine- like JUST WAKING UP !!!  How important is the message in THAT tune?  I listened to the whole thing with a smile on my face. Your performances as musician, singer and songwriter were captured expertly in this “live-sounding” CD.  You should be very proud of this album and I wish you the best –  it’s great !

“Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Cali Rose, has produced a delightful and eclectic brew of fun, playfulness, intelligence and wit. Her piano and guitar playing is also excellent and she is joined by many talented musicians on this CD. She may be goofy, but she sure is good!”

“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 LOVE your CD! It is the best. My new favorite!!The whole package; the songs, the accompaniment, your  lovely voice. Truly, it is such a breath of fresh air!  Can’t wait to get to one of your shows live and in person!!”

We just got your CD in the mail!  What a wonderful production, and you are as good as they get!!  Thank you SO much for sending it to us… We’ll do some more listening, but so far our favourite is “Maui Nights.”

“…thank you so much for sending me your CD. I love the music and it makes me smile to hear your voice. You are a very gifted siger/musician/entertainer. I’m glad your carrer is moving along. Thank you for all the happiess your music has brought me over the years…

Your latest CD is still my favorite and I always queue it up on the IPod first when we get airborne – puts me in the right mood and calms me down…not that the pre-departure cocktail wasn’t kicking in by then, but you are much purer sense of peace and calm. Maybe I shouldn’t say purer…I mean, Whoa!, check out the clam shells on Cali in Hawaii!! Regardless your voice is incredible.”

“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!

“I listened to “Are You Having Any Fun?” and I truly had fun listening.  I laughed and nearly cried.  Your music Cali gives so much, a whole philosophy, your personality, as well as pleasure.  I so enjoyed.”

“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.”

Lookin’ for some smiles in your day? Cali Rose’s new album Smile, Smile, Smile lives up to its name. All original tunes backed by mad uke skills… this is the kind of music that’ll turn your day around, guaranteed. If you have an appetite for tunes with a sense of humor, Cali is yer “go to” gal.

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.

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. 

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

“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.”

“…it’s the players like you and Craig that make the world of ukulele what it is.  Put a guitar in someone’s hands and they want to be a rock start.  Put a Hawaiian ukulele in someone’s hands and they just want to play music and smile.”

“I listened to your CD on the way to work this morning and also as I was out doing errands at lunch.  It’s great – I was smiling the whole time I was listening.  It’s got great compositions, great singing, great musicianship and it’s very well produced.  Unfortunately, it’s had a huge psychological impact on me.  My letter of resignation has been submitted and I will be in Maui until further notice.”

“It’s delightful and very much a reflection of who you are.”

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

“Excellent playing and also very professional recording.  Great job.  I hope the recording and your career go well.” [Ko’olau Ukulele Company]

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

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.

“…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.”

“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.”