March 23, 2008
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** PSIWAVE - Rick Maue
*** THE SECRETS OF DR. TAO - Docc Hilford
*** THE NEW JINX - Bill Madsen
*** UTOPIAN PREDICTION & OTHER MYSTERIES - Alex Blade
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*********
Here's a few more items for review. Since the last
newsletter, there's little in the way of news. In the next
newsletter, I'll have comments on Jerome Finley's Random
Acts of Kindness and Larry Becker & Lee Earle's Texas
Fool'Em. (I think Larry & Lee have already beaten Docc
Hilford's product release record for a single year! They
can relax now. Yeah, right. :-) )
Also, Nimrod Harel has recently released two books. I was
just about to add the first, Shalosh (3), to my website when
it completely sold out and is now unavailable. However, I
will provide you with my comments on it as well as the
newest one, Shalosh Stage, which features a nail gun
roulette routine that was apparently used by Erin Raven on
Phenomenon. There seems to be more copies of this
available.
Several older products are being released with DVD
instructions that include some additional ideas, but the
effect is essentially the same. Andy Leviss' It's A Match
2.0 seems to be an exception and includes differences that
make it worth getting. I just got Trilogy 2.0 and Trilogy
Streamline 2.0. I haven't watched the DVDs yet, as I just
got them in, but the props included are no different than
what you got in the original. I'll be updating my comments
and webpages soon on both. If you're interested in these
items, and you don't see the webpage updated, let me know.
Needless to say, I will not be offering the originals
anymore.
Finally, now that I'm pretty much caught up with the Journal
of the Mind, it's time to launch (or re-launch) the
Conversations of the Mind. Though I've included the blurb
below, I've pretty much decided that the first one will be
go on Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
(10 p.m. EST). All newsletter subscribers are welcome to
join in to this first one. After that, it will be for
Marketplace Members only. A few more details are below.
**** FROZEN IN TIME
I do have several of these in stock now, but once they're
gone, there will be another long wait to get them. This is
really a very cool little pocket piece of mentalism.
www.MarketplaceoftheMind.com/Frozen_In_Time.html
**** TABLES FOR BILL MASON'S SENSATIONAL
In the last issue, I reviewed Ed Fowler's Bill Mason's
Sensational. Ed contacted me to tell me that he has some
very nice custom made tables just for this routine. He did
send me some pictures and they are nice, indeed. If you're
interested, you can contact him through his site:
http://www.carlyletouch.com/
**** CONVERSATIONS OF THE MIND
Okay, hopefully most of you know about the Marketplace
Membership which features the Journal of the Mind, plus
specials and discounts on merchandise. I've decided to add
a brand new feature called Conversations of the Mind. This
will consist of conference calls to discuss various subjects
and also to converse with top performers in the field. Many
top performers are not releasing books or new material and
do not fit the format of the Journal of the Mind, but they
would be ideal for the new Conversations of the Mind.
Subjects that I've been requested to cover include
structuring acts, effects that can be done totally impromptu
and with ungimmicked items, Q&A routines, marketing, and
selecting material for your act.
These conversations, which will be recorded and available
for download, will be accessible only to those who have
Marketplace Memberships (see below). However, the very
first one will be available to all newsletter subscribers as
that one will be available later for everyone as a preview
edition. I have tentatively scheduled the first
conversation to take place on Thursday, April 10, probably
at 7 p.m. PST (although the time, not the date, may change).
Unfortunately, there is only a limited number of folks who
will be able to participate. I can't tell you how many yet
as I'm still undecided about which service I'll use to make
this happen.
The first topic will be an important one to all mentalists:
the difference between performing mentalism and magic. It's
an issue that I've been working on for awhile (and I'm
planning on finishing my book on this subject to be out by
the year's end). For those magicians who wish to get into
mentalism, I'll discuss the differences and how to make the
mentalism more effective. For mentalists, the information
may help you greatly improve your act. Of course, this
topic is one that I can use to cover quite a few questions
that people have.
Speaking of that, if anyone would like to submit questions
ahead of time to me on this topic, please do so. I will
definitely answer all the questions I have in the allotted
time. And, of course, I will certainly send out details and
instructions as we get closer to the date of the conference
call.
**** PAST NEWSLETTERS NOW ON-LINE
Finally, I broke down and just decided to be plain lazy.
Instead of taking the time to re-format the newsletters and
make them all pretty looking for the blog, I decided I'd
rather spend the time on other more important things like,
oh, keeping the website up to date with the current
mentalism products and my comments.
So, there's a whole new section where you can see all the
past newsletters. If you subscribed and aren't receiving
them, either check to make sure that the newsletters aren't
being considered spam by your Internet provider, or
re-subscribe (which is the easiest).
***** MARKETPLACE MEMBERSHIP CLUB FOR 2008 AVAILABLE NOW!
For extra discounts and six issues of Jheff's Journal of the
Mind, which spotlights mentalism's hottest and most creative
talents each issue, join the 2008 Marketplace of the Mind.
Check out the preview edition of the Bonus #0 issue
featuring Jack Kent Tillar. Go to the website and click on
the banner at the top. Or use the link below.
Check it out here:
www.marketplaceofthemind.com/jmmc.html
***** THE FRIENDS OF THE MARKETPLACE
Don't forget to check out the new Friends of the Marketplace
section. This is for those creators who are producing
wonderful products that I don't carry. This is because, to
save overhead, I order as needed from my distributor, and
these creators aren't mass distributing it. If you'd like
me to review your product and help you sell it, then you'll
find details about the Friends of the Marketplace program on
the website. There's a button on the left hand side for you
to click on.
I've just added BILL MASON'S SENSATIONAL by E. Raymond
Carlyle, which is a wonderful Q&A act, and Dr. Bill's
MIRABILL, an elegant update on a Stewart James classic.
Outlaw-Effects have a beautiful new aged book called THE
WITCHES' ALMANAC and it is their best aged book yet. Enrique
Enriquez has a wonderful new e-book on the Tarot, LOOKING AT
THE MARSEILLES TAROT, which is suitable for both beginners
and experienced readers. Also new to the section are Ron
Martin's THE TAROT READER'S NOTEBOOK, a must-have for Tarot
readers; Joshua Quinn's DUPLICITY, which takes your favorite
drawing dupe routine to the next level; Loren Tindall's
beautiful new THE DELPHI PORTAL, which is a must-have prop
for anyone who is a reader; and Gene Nielsen's THE MAGICK
YEARS, a jam-packed e-book filled with over 70 professional
and varied routines.
Remember, I don't make a dime on this stuff. I do this
because I think the stuff is very good and worth it.
http://www.jheff.com/friendsofthemarketplace.html
Until next time. -- Jheff
*********
RICK MAUE
PSIWAVE
JMOM Price:$27
Suggested Retail Price:$30
THE BLURB:
Welcome to PsiWave, a small collection of semi-related
mental effects, and also a semi-detailed examination of the
mysterious topic known as
The Magician’s Choice.
This 44 page manuscript includes
7 effects, plus a set of 5 Jumbo ESP Cards.
In addition, there is a chapter that dissects a standard
example of Equivoque in a step-by-step manner—thus creating
a basic guide that is not only thorough, but also
user-friendly.
Learn to identify common mistakes, and also how to correct
them.
Learn to focus not only on what to say, but also on what not
to say.
MY COMMENTS:
This is a fairly thorough exploration of equivoque in
general and using this technique with a set of five ESP
cards in particular. It's an intriguing combination and
makes for a fascinating read, and also for some invaluable
insight into the technique of equivoque. I know that some
may be turned off by the use of cards, despite them being
ESP cards and not playing cards, but it's the discussion and
principles that is what's important. Several of these
routines can certainly be applied to other objects besides
ESP cards. Besides the title routine, the others are
Reversing the Flow, the Hole Card, Nebulous Ambiguity,
Isolation, Starstruck, and Circle of Signs. There is also
additional material on PsiWave and a section with closing
thoughts.
I've always liked Rick's writing as he takes the time to
explain the history, nuances, and subtleties of each
routine, not to mention that he challenges the reader to
mold each routine into his/her own unique performance. I
enjoyed this immensely and recommend it. This 44-page
book comes complete with five Jumbo ESP cards, which do
have special qualities which are discussed in the book.
*********
DOCC HILFORD
THE SECRETS OF DR. TAO
JMOM Price: $18
Suggested Retail Price: $20
THE BLURB:
Three Original Close-Up Monu-Mental Effects Designed For
Walk Around Cocktail Parties.
From the Secret Books of Dr. Tao come three original tricks
of the mind. In this tome the mysterious doctor also reveals
three of his innermost ancient secrets to effective
mentalism. Each lesson is more than merely an outstanding
original effect, it's a lesson that can be applied to
mentalism students already perform.
Desire - A participant writes an item she desires on a piece
of paper and leaves another paper blank. No matter how much
the participant mixes the two papers; no matter how well she
hides them from his sight, without even a glance in her
direction, he is able to reveal which paper has the desire
and where it is! This is repeated until finally the paper is
burned. Although any item imagined was written on the paper
and Dr. Tao never handled it, the ashes seem to form the
desire in front of the participant's eyes!
Twin Swans - Dr. Tao writes a fortune for a young couple on
a borrowed scrap of paper. The woman mentally chooses a
card. Her partner is shown the faces of the cards and
reaches out to take a card of his choice. It is the same
card as that in his girlfriend's mind! And the fortune also
has the name of the mentally chosen card written on it.
Bound Blossoms - Dr. Tao shows a large red envelope. A man
goes through a borrowed deck of cards one at a time. A woman
goes through a handful of page corners cut from a magazine.
A third woman tells them both when to stop. The red envelope
is opened. Inside is a sealed yellow envelope. A member of
the audience removes a folded sheet of paper. Written on it
in large black writing is a prediction containing the chosen
page number and the chosen card! Everything is examinable!
And with the exception of the prediction, can be borrowed.
Each trick is a reputation maker, specially design by Dr.
Tao to be used at cocktail parties or banquets.
But there is much more to this little book than just three
fine mentalistic tricks. The lessons hold ancient secrets
that demonstrators of true mystery must know. Most of the
secret books of Dr. Tao were lost, but in a dusty bookshop
in Chinatown, Docc Hilford has uncovered Volume IX, Book 6
in this monu-MENTAL series.
"And after all is said and done, it's really all a lot of
fun."
-Dr. Tao
Pages - 28 - Saddle Stitched
MY COMMENTS:
I don't think I have to tell you that the bit about the
secret books in a dusty bookshop is a cute conceit. In
other words, I'm fairly certain you'll be searching
hopelessly for a very long time if you try to search the
internet for the rest of Dr. Tao's lost books, or even Dr.
Tao himself. I think that the intelligent person won't
criticize Docc for using this creatively fun approach to
presenting this material and not hold it against him as
additional proof of his advertising deceits.
As stated in the blurb, the three effects are designed to be
used at cocktail parties or banquets. Each of the three
effects also teaches a particular technique: reverse value,
repeated action, and control placement, respectively. These
aren't new techniques, but ones that bear continued studying
as they certainly add quite a bit to the effectiveness of a
mentalism routine, and more so in their use when one creates
new routines and presentations. The effect themselves are
quite solid, and I'd expect no less from Docc Hilford.
The blurb is pretty accurate. However, for the record,
these effects are not all suitable for walkaround and are
stated as such in the introduction. "Desire" works best at a
table, "Twin Sans" works best with a small group sitting or
standing, and "Bound Blossoms" is essentially a
parlour/stage effect. So there is a variety of types of
effects and, as such, you may or not find all three
effects which suit your style, but they are all certainly
worthy of study. As with the rest of Docc's booklets, this
is a saddle stitched, 8.5" x 5.5", 28-page booklet. And,
admittedly I'm biased towards Docc's work. I think he's one
of mentalism's greatest thinkers and creators. It should be
no surprise then that I recommend this.
*********
BILL MADSEN
THE NEW JINX
JMOM Price: $54
Suggested Retail Price: $60
THE BLURB:
One of the hottest areas in magic today is mentalism, and
one of the major sources for the best mentalism ever
published has been out of print for two decades: THE NEW
JINX.
The sequel to Ted Annemann's classic Jinx magazine was
published from 1962 to 1968 and contains over 300 pages of
amazing mentalism. Our new Kaufman and Company edition
duplicates our reprint from 1987, with an introduction by
Tony Andruzzi, and adds a complete index.
This beautiful hardcover book is limited to 1000 copies.
MY COMMENTS:
The original collection of The Jinx, by the brilliant Ted
Annemann (I don't think that can be said enough), is a
must-have for mentalists and this is, indeed, a worthy
successor. In fact, the page layout and typestyle mimick
the original Jinx magazine. There are dozens of
contributors who include David Hoy, Stewart James, Paul
Rosini, Ken de Courcy, Gene Maze, Dan Tong, Harry Lorayne,
Tony "Doc" Shiels, Joe "Micro" White, and, as expected, Phil
Goldstein (Max Maven). There is a lot of material within
these pages and, as expected, lots of treasures to be found
or to be reacquainted with. If you don't have the original
edition, then get this before it sells out and have a great
time digging for those treasures.
*********
ALEX BLADE
UTOPIAN PREDICTION & OTHER MYSTERIES
JMOM Price: n/a, special order only
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $24.95
THE BLURB:
A week before the show, the magician posts a sealed envelope
to a member of the audience with explicit instructions that
it not be opened before the night of the show, and requests
that they should be sure to bring it along with them. On the
night, the spectators are seated and the performer states
how, “…weeks in advance, I mailed an envelope to a member of
the audience here and asked that she bring it with her
tonight”. She is called up on stage carrying the envelope
where she confirms that no one but here has touched it or
had access to it, and that it has been sealed the entire
time. She is then directed to open up the envelope and take
out what is inside.
Magician: “Inside there is a folded up piece of paper,
please remove it and read what it says.”
The spectator does so and reads aloud:
‘On Wednesday 15th of July, on page 9 of The Daily Mail, the
third word along on the second line will read : DEMAND’
Another member of the audience retrieves a copy of The Daily
Mail, the date confirmed, and turned to page 9 where – sure
enough – the 3rd word of the second line is ‘demand’.
Note: The above effect uses no gimmicks, no stooges and no
switches. The magician never once touches the envelope or
the newspaper during the performance. Any newspaper can be
used, with any part of it being predicted.
Shy:
The magician presents the spectator with a set of five ESP
cards, displaying a circle, a star, a pair of vertical wavy
lines, a square and a cross. He explains that ESP stands for
Extra Sensory Perception, and that in the early 1950’s it
was widely believed that these cards could be used to
determine ones psychic ability. The magician goes on to
describe a popular experiment called the Rhine Test where a
participant would be given a card face down and would then
proceed to match it up with a set of their own cards,
without ever looking at the original. The results were
astonishing, with selected partakers getting correct results
80%-90% of the time.
The spectator is then asked to choose three of the five
cards and push them forward, face up, on the table. The
magician picks up a blank card and, without saying anything,
writes something on one side an holds it face down in his
hand. The spectator is then instructed to think of two of
the chosen images and put his or her index and middle
fingers on the selected cards. The magician smiles to
himself as he turns his card over revealing that he has
drawn the exact same symbols as the spectator selected.
The magician then picks up another blank card and proceeds
to write something down on it again. Once more, the
spectator is asked to place their finger on one of the two
remaining cards, whereby the magician turns his card over
showing that he once again guessed correctly.
The effect can then be repeated.
Note: This is not an elimination process. The symbols the
magician writes down will always be identical to the ones
the spectator places his/her fingers on.
Polaroid:
An envelope is given to a spectator with the request that it
never leaves their sight. The magician then removes five
business cards, labelled 1-5, from his pocket and lays them
face down on the table. The spectator is asked merely to
place their finger on top of one of the facedown business
cards. Their chosen card is turned over – a three – and the
other cards are all shown to be different.
The performer then pulls out a handful of change (can be
borrowed) and asks the spectator to choose either heads or
tails. The spectator chooses ‘heads’ and the performer
continues, stating that the spectator is going to make a
blind choice. He/she is invited to drop the handful of coins
onto the table repeatedly. When the coins fall, some land
heads side up and some tails. Per turn, the coins that are
tails-up are discarded and the dropping is repeated with the
remaining heads-side-up coins until there is only one coin
left, for example, the 10p.
Finally, a deck of cards is brought out, spread across the
table and the spectator is instructed to freely select one
(no force). Let’s say, the 9 of Spades.
The magician recaps what has just happened. The spectator
has freely chosen a number, a coin and a card, all through
different means. The spectator is asked to remove the
envelope from the beginning and, without the magician
touching it, empty the contents onto the table. The
spectator does so to find inside the envelope a Polaroid
photograph showing a large number three, a 10p coin and the
9 of Spades.
Pages 32 - Saddle Sitched
MY COMMENTS:
This comes from the same gentleman who brought us Pulse and
Calculus. English is not his first language, and so there
are the customary misspellings and grammar errors, which
stand out to me, being an English teacher, but don't
detract one much from understanding the material.
However, it is obvious that this gentleman does no research
and makes claims that I cannot support. It is clearly a
case of independent invention, but he could have sent his
manuscript to a knowledgeable mentalist or magician who
would have properly advised him. In all three effects,
which are included in this pamphlet, the author leads you to
believe that he spent a lot of time and effort developing
the idea. I'm sure he did, but these ideas have already
been developed by others.
The first effect, Utopian Prediction, is an intriguing
headline prediction idea, but it has been explored before,
notably by U.F. Grant and Bruce Bernstein. The third effect,
Polaroid, is a routine that's as old as the hills. And
Polaroid pictures, incidentally, will be in the history
books with eight-track tapes in a few short months. The
second effect, Shy, is by far the best of the trio, however
it, too, is not original. Had Mr. Blade mentioned that the
principle was first used by Docc Hilford in his Cards of
Cairo routine, then I wouldn't be as hard on this particular
routine. Instead, he introduces us with a story about
coming up with this idea. Again, I'm sure he did, but
someone else did it earlier and he wasn't aware of it, nor
did he do research to discover this.
Though the price isn't unreasonable for these routines,
there just isn't anything new here that I can recommend
to the professional mentalist. So I won't.
*********
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