Thursday, August 9, 2012

B. L. BLADE - By His Grace We've Come A Long Way (Part I and II) (B. L. B., 1982)



B. L. BLADE - By His Grace We've Come A Long Way (Part I) (B. L. B., 1982)


B. L. BLADE - By His Grace We've Come A Long Way (Part II) (B. L. B., 1982)


In 2012, you might know of Rev. Brady L. Blade, Sr. because he serves as pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Shreveport.  Or because in recent years he’s taken the gospel concert program Hallelujah Train on the road.  Or because he and his church’s choir appeared in Daniel Lanois’s documentary film Here Is What Is.  Or because of his renowned drummer sons, Brady L. Blade, Jr. and Brian Blade.

I suspect 30 or even 50 years ago people knew of Rev. Blade for similar reasons – his ministry and his music.  In the early 1960s, Blade began serving as pastor of Zion Baptist Church.  In the mid-1960s, Blade hosted Sunday School lessons over the radio on KCIJ.  During the mid-1970s, Shreveport’s Jewel Records issued a couple of 45s and an LP featuring Rev. Blade’s sermons and music.  By the time the early 1980s rolled around, Blade was releasing a few records on his own BLB label.

In 1982, Blade released this 45 containing “By His Grace We've Come A Long Way.”  Based on the recording, it’s pretty clear this is sourced from a live performance likely recorded at his church, Zion Baptist.  Due to the song’s length, it’s been split into two segments – part 1 on the a-side and part 2 on the b-side.

The Sunday School Hour -- tune in from 6:45 to 7:00.  (Shreveport Sun [Shreveport, LA], July 1, 1965).


Hallelujah Train performing at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, La., recorded by Deborah Allen, January 20, 2011.

11 comments:

  1. hi from UK
    both download links seem to be for Part 1?

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  2. Hi, Teekay. I just checked the links, and they appear to be correct. One link is for Part 1 (4:25 long), the other link is for Part 2 (3:02 long). If you still notice an error, please provide the url's. Thanks for visiting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. hi Chris
    got part 2 now - when you try to download part 2 I was getting message "already exists
    do you want to overwrite" - secret is to say no and part 2 comes down!
    Some good items on your site - will check back regularly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahh, that explains it. Glad you solved the problem, and I'm pleased to hear you're enjoying the blog.

      Delete
  4. hi
    not a comment on this post but there is no "comment" option on Rufus Brown post. any chance the other side can be posted?
    tk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi tk, thanks for the note. I just made a formatting change to the Rufus Brown post. I hope this solves the problem...because both sides of the 45 are posted. Please let me know if this works for you now.

      Delete
  5. No on can sing this song with such soul & spirit than Pastor Blade, Sir.

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  6. No on can sing this song with such soul & spirit than Pastor Blade, Sir.

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  7. Does anyone know where I can buy the Cd of Rev Blake " By the Grace Of God I Come A Long Way"?
    Shirley

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  8. Correction:Does anyone know where I can buy the Cd by Rev.Blade Sr. "By The Grace of God I Come A Long Way"?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dose anybody know were I can buy this CD . by his Grace we've come a long way . I been looking for this CD for years .

    ReplyDelete