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Rating: 
Summary: Terrific Study of Border Folklore
Review: One of the most important studies of Mex-Tex folklore, this book is excellent. Paredes describes the legends of Gregorio Cortes and then tracks down what can be historically verified about this border hero. He then provides numerous variants of the ballads sung about Cortes and completes his writing by looking at reasons why the ballad remains an important part of borderland culture. Paredes writes beautifully, and the book is a model for fine ethnographic writing. Tish Hinojosa's song "Con Su Pluma en Su Mano" is a tribute to Paredes, one of her professors.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Study of Border Folklore
Review: One of the most important studies of Mex-Tex folklore, this book is excellent. Paredes describes the legends of Gregorio Cortes and then tracks down what can be historically verified about this border hero. He then provides numerous variants of the ballads sung about Cortes and completes his writing by looking at reasons why the ballad remains an important part of borderland culture. Paredes writes beautifully, and the book is a model for fine ethnographic writing. Tish Hinojosa's song "Con Su Pluma en Su Mano" is a tribute to Paredes, one of her professors.
Rating:
Summary: Great Musicological and Lit-Theory Text-- must read
Review: This book does a great job of building a cross-cultural bridge between music and literary analysis. In explaining the form of a Mexican corrido, Paredes lays the groundwork for a musicological study of an oral tradition. His text is also useful in understanding the form of contemporary rap and hip-hop (both politically conscious and commercial).My one reservation about this text is the fact that it ignores the role that women play in creating this artform. Though not a misogynist, Paredes tends to treat women as invisible in terms of the corridos... This is a must-read, but if you enjoy the study of music look up Lydia Mendoza.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Folklore Research
Review: This book is a fine study of Mexican-American folklore. Paredes takes a "literary ethnographic" approach to studying the ballad singer Gregorio Cortez. Paredes develops interesting and rich ways of applying literary analysis to the ballads. He also uses the study of history along with ethnographic inquiry to challenge the image of the Texas ranger as a knight in shining armor. For anyone interested in social history, ethnographic study, and literary approaches to studying culture, I would highly recommend seeing how this fine folklorist integrates all three approaches in a fascinating story. What is especially interesting is that he was taking this approach three decades ago.
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