My version of Memphis Minnie’s great song, which I learned watching Honeyboy Edwards play in L.A. twenty years ago. This was recorded during the HWY 62 sessions, but never released, as that album featured songs I wrote about contemporary topics, and Bumble Bee didn’t seem to fit. But I played it on a guitar Ben Harper gifted me, a Fraulini version of Lead Belly’s Stella, and they recorded the first time I picked the instrument up.
Minnie’s version is the one. All her records are great. Play them loud! But check this out, it is what it is…
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Listening to this in bed. Perfect way to end the day.
By the way…my ex-husband’s band, The College Farm, opened for you a few years ago in Albany. I’m in Virginia and couldn’t get time off work to go. Haven’t seen you live since ‘87ish. I always seem to be in the wrong town.
One of these days…glad you digging’ the sounds.
nice!
Speaking of Mr. Harper, I remember your performance of this song at his grandparents’ folk music shop up in Claremont just after the release of Sleepy John. (I guess the shop may have been his by that time but that’s beside the point.) It was a magical night and we were all floating during and after the show. Gail captured it when she said that it was as if you were possessed or channeling the souls of the blues greats that night (or words to that effect). Thanks for sharing this outtake and raising the memories of that night for me again.