Sir Richard Bishop Announces New Album Hillbilly Ragas: Hear “They Shall Take Up Serpents”

Sir Richard Bishop is about to drop another slab of American primitive fingerstyle guitar goodness upon us. The Portland-based performer will release his pleasingly titled new album Hillbilly Ragas on ye olde Drag City in September. Its opening track, “They Shall Take Up Serpents,” also is well-named, and man, can this guy shred. Crucially, Bishop’s acoustic guitar virtuosity serves the song here; it’s a dynamic improvised composition that makes full use of his extremely fast fingers.