Bumble Bee

1. Bumble Bee

First recorded in 1930, "Bumble Bee" is a song by Memphis Minnie.

Memphis Minnie was a blues singer and guitarist, widely known in the 1930s and 1940s. She was one of the leading figures in the blues scene and one of the few women to stand out as a guitarist at that time.

The song tells the story of a woman who met her "Bumble Bee" (her lover), who stung her with an unforgettable bite but then left.

In my view, the best way to perform this song is with the accompaniment of a harmonica. The harmonica captures the "buzz, buzz, buzz" of the bee circling the woman as she mourns his absence.

"Bumblebee" was the first song Eberienos and I played together, and he perfectly captured the energy of that Bumble Bee seducing the woman as she laments.

This is the first track of the album that marks our musical partnership, and it’s the song that gives the album its title. 

Resonator & Vocals – Nanda Moura
Harmonica – Rodrigo Eberienos

Click here to listen to the original version by Memphis Minnie.

  2. I'm a Bad Luck Woman

"I’m a Bad Luck Woman" is a song by Memphis Minnie, dated 1937.

Minnie was an American Blues singer and guitarist, most famous during the 1930s and 1940s. She was one of the leading Blues artists and one of the rare women to stand out as a guitarist at the time.

Among the interesting facts surrounding her career, Minnie had several marriages and lived very independently during a time when women were even more restricted by society.

"I’m a Bad Luck Woman" is about the troubles of relationships that never worked out. It's about a woman who tried to have relationships with various men, but for some reason, things always went wrong, so she called herself a "bad luck woman," though she didn’t know why. 

Resonator & Vocals – Nanda Moura
Harmonica – Rodrigo Eberienos
Slide Guitar – Otávio Rocha

Click here to listen to the original version by Memphis Minnie.

  3. Blues Everywhere I Go

A song from 1937, Blues Everywhere I Go was written by Casey Bill Weldon, an American Country Blues musician with an extensive history of recordings and performances alongside major artists and bands from the 1920s to the 1940s.

Weldon was highly skilled at playing acoustic slide guitar and played a significant role in the development and spread of this style at the time.

An interesting fact about Casey Bill Weldon is that he was married to Memphis Minnie for a few years. The two recorded and performed together during their time as a couple.

Originally, Blues Everywhere I Go tells the story of a lonely singer overwhelmed by sadness, seeing the blues everywhere he goes—until the day he finds the woman of his dreams, and he won’t be "blue" anymore.

I took the artistic liberty that poetic license allows and reimagined the song from the perspective of a woman singing about her man.

Resonator & Vocals – Nanda Moura

Click here to listen to the original version by Casey Bill Weldon.

  4. Hesitation Blues

Recorded by Jelly Roll Morton in 1938, Hesitation Blues is actually a folk song adapted from a traditional tune.

Jelly Roll Morton was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger—a soulful singer and a classic flamboyant New Orleans character.

He was part of the second generation of New Orleans jazz musicians and is considered the first major composer and arranger of the genre.

Since the song has traditional roots, many artists who recorded it over the years ended up adapting the lyrics in their own versions.

The version we recorded was entirely inspired by Jelly Roll Morton’s ragtime style, brought to my guitar, accompanied by Rodrigo’s harmonica and Otávio’s slide guitar.

And… with the artistic freedom that poetic license allows, we added two verses at the end that truly capture the vibe of this recording.

“... I’m here with my friends
Having a lovely time...”

Resonator & Vocals – Nanda Moura
Harmonica – Rodrigo Eberienos
Slide Guitar – Otávio Rocha

Click here to listen to the original version by Jelly Roll Morton.

  5. Jim Lee Blues, Pt. 1

Originally recorded in 1929, Jim Lee Blues is a song by Charley Patton.

Patton was an American Delta Blues singer and guitarist, born in Mississippi around 1891, known for his unmistakable playing and singing style. His performances were marked by a strong, tense voice—often unintelligible—and a striking, percussive guitar technique that influenced many Delta Blues artists who emerged in later years.

Recognized as the "Father of Delta Blues," Patton played a crucial role in shaping the blues scene in Mississippi.

Jim Lee Blues is a two-part song, and the version we recorded is based on the first part. Like much of Charley Patton’s work, Jim Lee Blues features lyrics that reflect events from his life, touching on everything from love to his faith and religious beliefs.

Resonator & Vocals – Nanda Moura
Harmonica – Rodrigo Eberienos
Slide Guitar – Otávio Rocha

Click here to listen to the original version by Charley Patton.

  6. Nextdoor Neighbor Blues

Nextdoor Neighbor Blues is a 2012 song written by American guitarist and singer Gary Clark Jr.

Born in Texas, Clark blends blues, rock, soul, and rhythm and blues in a unique way.

As a passionate researcher of the blues, and currently drawn to a heavier sound—almost rock 'n' roll—while still staying true to the blues, I feel a strong connection to Gary Clark Jr.'s playing style.

He manages to keep the essence of the blues front and center while giving it a modern and distinctive touch. To me, it sounds like the natural evolution of the blues.

Resonator & Vocals – Nanda Moura
Harmonica – Rodrigo Eberienos
Slide Guitar – Otávio Rocha

Click here to listen to the original version by Gary Clark Jr.

  7. Walking Blues

Originally recorded in 1937, Walking Blues is a song by Robert Johnson.

Robert Johnson was a Delta Blues musician and songwriter from Mississippi. Today, he is one of the most renowned figures in the genre, with a life story full of mysteries and legends that captivate listeners.

Known as the "King of the Delta Blues," his influence remains strong among musicians worldwide. There’s far more to say about Robert Johnson than a few lines could ever cover.

Walking Blues is one of the 29 songs he recorded, telling of the struggles and hardships of life as a traveling bluesman.

Many artists have recorded their own versions of Walking Blues over the years—this one is ours.

Resonator & Vocals – Nanda Moura
Harmonica – Rodrigo Eberienos
Slide Guitar – Otávio Rocha

Click here to listen to the original version by Robert Johnson.

  8. Tributo a DeFord Bailey

This track is a tribute featuring two compositions by the incredible harmonica player DeFord Bailey, first recorded on October 2, 1928: Davidson County Blues and Ice Water Blues.

Bailey was a star of Country and Blues music from the 1920s until 1941. He was one of the first artists—and the first harmonica player—to perform at the Grand Ole Opry on Nashville’s WSM radio station. He was also the first African American artist to appear on the program and the first musician to have his work recorded in Nashville.

These songs were groundbreaking, setting a new standard and establishing the harmonica as a truly professional instrument. DeFord Bailey was a pioneer of the harmonica.

Rodrigo first heard DeFord Bailey’s name in Chicago. Intrigued, he delved into his music and discovered a unique sound that immediately caught his attention.

This track closes the album with Rodrigo’s tribute to this legendary harmonica player.

Harmonica – Rodrigo Eberienos

Clicl below to listen to the original versions by DeFord Bailey:
Davidson County Blues
Ice Water Blues