"Sal Si Puedes" is about a generation that came of age in West Texas during the Great Depression.  It is the story of a young man and woman who work on farms, harvesting the crops.  The girl and her brothers and sisters, orphaned at a young age, support themselves by piling into an old car and heading out to the nearest farm hiring workers.

During the harvesting season, they camp out on the farms.  After the week's work, they clean up and go into the town of Marfa, where the Hotel El Paisano puts on dances for the locals.

It is at one of these dances that the young man and woman meet and fall in love.  They marry and settle down in the outskirts of Marfa, in the barrio known as "Sal Si Puedes", or "Get Out If You Can."  They build a home of adobe and raise a family, where they can see the mysterious Marfa lights.  Local folklore says these lights are playful spirits come to visit.

Song List

1. El Baile De Los Spiritos (Spirit Dance) The spirits have been dancing all night, and as dawn approaches, a young man awakens

2. Suenos (Dreaming) - Dazed by a dream, he climbs from his bedroll and watches the Marfa Lights fade into daylight

3. El Paisano - After a day's harvesting, the young people go to town for a dance at the hotel El Paisano.

4. Con Esperanza (with hope) - As the lights fade in the dance hall, the anticipation heightens.

5. Puede Ser? (Could it Be?) - His eyes fall on a young girl, Her sweet smile quickens his heartbeat--could she be the one from the dream? He asks her to dance.

6. In a Spiral - Another suitor takes her away, leaving him with a mixture of confusion, heartache, and hope.

7. Mi Amiga Mia (She's My Girl) - He soon wins her heart, and boasts of his good fortune.

8. Fiesta - The wedding celebration in the barrio is a time of joy and solemn promise.

9. Y Ya Te Vas (And Now You're Gone) Times grow hard for the young couple. She watches with regret as he leaves to find a better life for his family.

10. Train Hopping - The young man travels west, riding the rails with all the other young hopefuls.

11. Me Quedo Con Ti (I'll Stay With You) - He sends for her, promising never to leave.

12. Los Ninos Del Norte (Children of the North) - Drawn north by better opportunities, the family expands.

13. El Sueno De Los Spiritos ( The sleep of the Spirits)

The Band:

Mike Haughey, Piano; Chip Boaz, Bass; Adam Levine, Guitar; Victor Nolasco, Timbales; Rafael Ramirez, Conga; Ted Strong, Bongo; Ruben Salcido, Sax & Slute

Horn Section:

Jeff Eaton, Trumpet; Doug Miner, Trombone

Guest Soloists:

Peter Riso, trap drums on tracks 4, 7 & 11;

John Worley Jr., trumpet soloist on tracks 3, 5 & 12

Frank Mercurio, piano on tracks 2 & 9

Composer/Producer - Ruben Salcido

Engineer - Robert Arreola

Mixing/Mastering - Cookie Marenco

Recorded at: The View Studio, Belmont, CA

Photos: Kim Ecclesine and Yolanda Runkle

Cover Design: Andre Salcido

See recording session photos.

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