At PBS.org there are background materials associated with the seven-night, Martin Scorsese special “The Blues” scheduled to air Sept. 28. In the Blues Classroom section you'll find:

‘…In Bentonia-style tuning, the strings are tuned in an E-B-E-G-B-E pattern. … James employed this tuning technique in two of his better-known songs: “Devil Got My Woman” and “Hard Time Killin’ Floor Blues.” ’

      - Mark