“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 love your CD – full of great music, talent, and such happiness! Thanks!”

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.

I LISTENED TO ALL OF THE SONGS. BEYOND SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU COULD DO GREAT THINGS WITH THIS CD!!!

“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 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.”

“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!”

“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]

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

“Very funny and on the money! This whole album is a gem.” — KAOS Radio

LYRICAL PHILOSOPHY (The “Cali Rose Gets Goofy” CD)

1. Thirteen songs about personal love, real emotions, and true life experiences.
2. Clever, down-to-earth uniquely original lyrics combined with perfect common sense feelings and sentiments.
3. Exceptionally worded and sung with pleasing rhythms and tempo – quality music performed by great musicians and a gifted singer.
4. But it’s the authentic, clear and entertaining voice that pulls everything together to bring empathy and understanding to so many common experiences that so many can relate to.
5. A truly great uplifting and fun experience for the listener.
6. Light hearted but packed with true and meaningful everyday thoughts and expressions.
7. The whole CD is very well arranged and composed with especially enjoyable and authentic lyrics which exhibit extraordinary insights into ordinary life.
8. Such a talented singer, song writer and philosophical humorist that brings a smile to the face and warms the heart.

 

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

“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!” 

“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.”

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.”

“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.”

“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!!!”

“On the 15 songs here Cali showcases her solid uke chops (both strumming and picking) and her warm and friendly vocals.  A clutch of standards share the CD with some well-crafted and hummable originals.  Highlights include the title song, Cole Porter’s ‘True Love,’ ‘On Green Dolphin Street,’ ‘Soup Du Jour,’ ‘Enjoy Yourself’ and a swingin’ version of the Andy Griffith TV Theme songs with her uke licks standing in for the famous whistle.  Other top tracks are her songs ‘Happy Ever After? No Such Ting’ and ‘Maui Nights.’  Expertly produced by Rick Cunha with a supporting cast of fine studio musicians, this CD is a gem.” [Flea Market Music]

 

“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 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!!”

“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!”