One of the first music journalists I encountered on a regular basis in Rolling Stone magazine was Ed Ward. I loved his insightful record reviews. He had a significant influence on my album purchases in 1970, which was a foundation year in rock music.
I found his reviews articulate and representative. He avoided the critic egotist personality in his writing. I can pretty much say Ed Ward was a what he wrote, I actually heard kinda guy.
Ed Ward will be publishing a definitive work with Flatiron Press, The History of Rock and Roll, Volume 1, 1920-1963 sometime in the Fall of 2016. I’ve added his book to my “must have music journalist list”.
I’m looking forward to your labor of love Ed 😉
musicofourheart.blog 
Will look him up, thanks. My favourite was Charles Shaar Murray who helped me put together my blues CD collection.
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