OffBeat, January, 2004 -- Critic's Choice: One of the Top 50 Louisiana CDs of 2003.
Nominated for two Offbeat "Best of the Beat" awards, 2004.
"Hot New Orleans jazz gumbo by brother-sister duo, with Cuban, Haitian and Jamaican flavorings." Billboard Magazine, "Staff Top Ten CD List of 2003," Jim Bessman, Billboard Senior writer.
"This CD's Creole jazz, Cuban and Caribbean mix belong to brother and sister Moise and Alida Viator. Besides being seasoned musicians, the Viators have spent a lifetime studying Creole music, language and culture. Their homework shines on the CD. The Viators do rocking Creole numbers that date to the turn of the century. If you're tired of the same old French songs, go no further than the Viators." The Lafayette Daily Advertiser, November 2003, Herman Fuselier.
"Though the geographically specific disc title implies a narrowing of focus, there's still eclecticism aplenty. And if you think you've heard all the versions of "Rockin' Pneumonia" and "Ya-Ya" you'll ever want to hear, you're wrong. Rating : Four and a half hurdy gurdy people out of five." The Times of Acadiana, July 2003, Arsino Orteza.
"Mermaids of the Canary Islands, their splendid sophomore effort, takes off where their first CD, Mo Belle Creole, left off, extending the foray into the Creole Caribbean with an eight-piece band consisting of trumpets, saxophones, piano, and myriad world percussion. Crescent City vintage jazz staples are at the odyssey's forefront, specifically the stunning renditions of Sam Morgan's sassy 'Short Dress Gal,' 'Vandèr Pistache,' and the rousing Danny Barker inspired arrangement of 'E, La-ba!' replete with rolling second line beats and a gitjo. Crescent City staples 'Ya-Ya' and 'Rockin' Pneumonia' become torpedoing ska scuds with serious horn grooves and Moïse's insane lip-contorting ska skat. A Dixieland flourish caps off 'Kan Mo Te En Piti.' A twelve-track festival, really." OffBeat, September 2003, Dan Willging.
Tom Jackson of WLUW in Chicago chose Mermaids of the Canary Islands as one of his ten favorite Louisiana releases of 2003.
Indonesian Pops 2003 chose Mermaids of the Canary Islands as one of the "10 Best Albums in the World Music Category."
Listen to Audio Clips from Mermaids of the Canary Islands.
If you are interested in purchasing a CD, write Moïse and Alida Viator at 4004 Eskew Drive, Austin, TX 78749. We accept personal checks or money orders (accepted in U.S. funds only), payable to La Famille Viator.
The price is $15.00 plus shipping ($2.00 for the United States, $3.00 for Canada, $5.00 for the UK and Western Europe).