December 26, 2008

Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter

*** BEST OF 2008
*** QUINTET SPECIAL OFFER
*** QUINTET - Jack Kent Tillar

To make a purchase of any item in the JMOM newsletter,
please go to http://www.MarketplaceoftheMind.com and use the
shopping cart.  If you're unable to do this, you may respond
to this e-mail.

To make sure you've not been missing any newsletters, check
out the website.  All of the recent past newsletters are
archived there.

*********
I want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season and a
happy new year.  And now that the year is ending, let me
take the time to look back over the year at some of the best
products that I reviewed (and one or two that I haven't
officially reviewed yet). And I'll give you my choice for
the best product of the year.

Before we get to that, I want to mention that there's a very
special exclusive offer on a brand new item from Jack Kent
Tillar(which is on the best of the year list, actually).
See the details below.  You don't want to miss it.

Also, don't forget to check the website regularly.  There
are quite a few new items and added comments that I've put
up on the website and I hope to be sending you newsletters
throughout the next week or so to catch up.  The Product
Updates section below lists some of the items which are new
or upcoming.  If you don't see what you're looking for
there, contact me.  There may be a reason it's not there.

Finally, I just want to thank those who've subscribed to the
Journal of the Mind for 2009.  Not only does it help support
the site, but I do try to give you as much value as
possible.  For various reasons, not the least of which it's
the holiday season, I'm leaving the sale on until Jan. 4.
For more information, see the blurb below.

**** HOLIDAY SCHEDULE - DELAYS MAY OCCUR
I'll be out of the office until January 4.  Except for
e-books, I won't be able to ship anything until the week of
January 5.

**** QUINTET SPECIAL OFFER
Jack Kent Tillar's new book, QUINTET, was just sent to press
and should be arriving within the next few weeks.  So, until
it officially arrives, I'll be doing a 20% off sale (save
even more if you are a Journal of the Mind subscriber).
You'll find the blurb and my comments on it below.

**** JOURNAL OF THE MIND SALE EXTENDED TO JAN. 4!
Quickly now, other than a love of mentalism, what do Jack
Kent Tillar, Greg Arce, John Riggs, Maurice Fogel, Alain Nu,
Mark Strivings, Stuart Cumberland, Paul Brook, Banachek,
Bryn Reynolds, and Craig Browning all have in common?  If
you guessed that they all have more than three letters in
their first name, then you need to be taken out behind the
shed and dealt with.

Seriously though, if you don't know, then you're obviously
not a subscriber of, or aware of, the Journal of the Mind.
All of the names above have been spotlighted in the first
two volumes of my e-magazine.  Each issue has effects,
essays, and other articles written by and about the featured
mentalist.

I get several e-mails monthly from folks who tell me how
much they appreciate my site and how apologetic they are
because they purchase their products from another source.
They wish there were some other way to support my website.
Well, subscribing to the Journal of the Mind is certainly
one excellent way.

Subscriptions to Journal of the Mind 2009 are now available
and I'm having a bit of a sale.  Right now, for only $39.95,
you can subscribe to the 2009 Journal of the Mind (the first
issue won't be out until February).  And if you've missed
any of the previous two volumes, now is the time to catch
up.  If you haven't gotten any of them, then for only $89.95
(reg. $107) you can get the 2007 and 2008 volumes, plus
subscribe to 2009.  Yeah, I know that's a crazy price, but
'tis the holiday season, as they say.  This sale won't last
long.  More details on the website.

http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/journalofthemind.html

**** JE4
I've been getting quite a lot of compliments about JE4.
Hardly anyone has discussed it on the forums, though.  For
those that don't know, JE4 is my Fourth Dimensional
Telepathy routine that is the cornerstone of my club act,
the one I perform regularly at the Magic Castle.  JE4 stands
for Jheff's Elegant 4th Dimensional Telepathy routine.
Because I'm still performing it, I'm limiting this to only
100 copies and selling it for $100 each.  And, boy, have I
already been taking the heat from some professionals
familiar with my routine who told me that was way too low.
But I already made my decision.

Here's two more pros who were very excited about JE4:

"Jheff's thinking is direct and to the point. His entire
routine is a lesson on how to apply a classic routine with a
refreshing handling to play to a modern audience. The
manuscript clearly details the specific handling with clear
photographs to aid each phase. The handling is
straightforward allowing you to focus on your routine. The
presentation offered by Jheff is a comical one which most
audiences will relate to! For someone in Jheff's position to
release a manuscript of this calibre you know it's going to
be fantastic. He is well versed in all the classics and
wouldn't release this if he didn't feel he had something
unique to offer. This is the only handling of the routine I
have ever seen which has convinced me to want to try it out
in front of a real audience!"
Colin McLeod
author of "Deceit: The Next Step in Chair Predictions"

"Anneman's '4DT' has been a highly favored staple of
classical mentalism because it is so pure, strong and real
feeling. In Jheff's 'JE4' manuscript we can immediately see
the personal value he's placed upon this routine and how
he's molded and fit the demonstration to suit him and his
style of performance over the years. Learning of Jheff's own
experience, subtleties and touches make this one routine
well worth picking up and comes straight from his current
working act and professional repertoire as performed at The
Magic Castle.

I personally love 4DT and every little nuance, variation in
handling and professional presentation I can find is
devoured and appreciated immediately with 'JE4' being no
exception to this rule! If you love 4DT as much as I do then
Jheff's version and handling of 'JE4' will certainly cause
you to smile and become a welcome addition to your library
and repertoire."
Jerome Finley

http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/je4.html

**** IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS
I've had to change the shipping charge policy for
international orders.  Since the price increases earlier
this year, I've allowed international customers to make
choices.  Unfortunately, this has proved disastrous.  For
example, I've had several customers order using the Flat
Rate Envelope Priority Mail option, however the items would
not fit into that envelope.  Several orders have been lost
or seriously delayed with the standard air mail option.

So, from now on, international customers will automatically
get the priority mail option.  I can certainly accomodate
cheaper shipping methods, but you'll have to e-mail first
before you order and I can tell you what they are so we can
work out the best and most inexpensive way to mail the
stuff.  If you think an order can fit into a flat rate
envelope, write to me and I'll let you know if that  option
can be used. Just contact me first.

Hopefully, this will work out, but things may change.

**** MONSTER MENTALISM SPECIAL ENDS JAN. 4!
I have a few sets left of the most talked about DVD set of
the year.  So, for a limited time, I'll offer that special
again.  You can get an additional 15% off for a total of 25%
off the Suggested Retail Price.  This offer will last until
the few that I have on my shelf are sold and then the
discount below will be deactivated again. You can save even
more if you're a subscriber to Journal of the Mind.

To take advantage, use "DOCC" (without the quotes) as the
coupon code.  Make sure you see the discount before you
finalize your order or I will NOT be able to refund the
difference.

**** PRODUCT UPDATES
Other new items that will be discussed in upcoming
newsletters and/or added soon to my catalog are Joshua
Quinn's PARALIES, Patrick Redford's HEPTAGON, Kenton
Knepper's SIGNS OF INFLUENCE, Richard Osterlind's MYSTIQUE,
Tom Lauten's 357, Marc Spelmann's 101108 LECTURE NOTES,
Looch's YOUR THOUGHTS ARE MINE DVD, Tony Eye's POPULAR
SELECTION, Aaron DeLong's BELIEVE, Hondo's INTUITION, Steve
Bryant's THE LITTLE EGYPT BOOK OF GHOSTS, Juan Tamariz'
VERBAL MAGIC, Aldo Colombini's TRI-COLOR DIVINATION, Menny
Lindenfeld's PSYCHIC CREDIT CARD, three from Dave Powell
(HAUNTED HAND, INVISIBLE CARD PUNCH, MICROWRITER), Sean
Field's EXPLICIT FOOTAGE: TOME and EXPLICIT FOOTAGE: BENZ,
John Sheets' NAILED IT, Haim Goldenberg's INSIDE THOUGHTS
and MY PRECIOUS, and a bunch of cool stuff from Craig
Browning. Some of this stuff is already on the website with
comments. Some of this stuff I will not catalog.

***** JOURNAL OF THE MIND
There are two new issues of Journal of the Mind.  Issue #10
spotlights the very controversial and talented CRAIG
BROWNING.  It's a huge issue - more than 50 pages! - and is
just jam-packed with some of the most useful advice you'll
ever need.  Issue #11 features some guy who comments on
mentalism products and spell his name funny.  Yep, it's me.
This issue features my lecture notes from Mindvention 2008
and all the stuff that I didn't have time to pack into that
hour that went really fast.

For $47 you get a subscription to the 2009 issues of Jheff's
Journal of the Mind, an all-new e-zine for mentalists. Plus,
you get an additional 5% discount off merchandise from the
Marketplace of the Mind, and many other very cool features.
If you want a taste of what you get, 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.

Recent additions include:

Jerome Finley's GUERRILLA Q&A - This may well be the
definitive work on real Q&A.  Don't miss out on this very
limited edition.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/guerrilla_qa.html

Bob Cassidy's DR. CROW'S URV - This is a great new audience
participation routine from a master of our craft.  This is a
limited edition so don't miss out.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/dr_crows_urv.html

The Miracle Factory's THE SHAKESPEARE EXPERIMENT - An
elegant book test using the works of the immortal Bard!
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/shakespeare_experiment.h
tml

Dr. Bill's SUGGESTABILITIES - Three essays and effects
which illustrate some very powerful techniques.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/suggestabilities.html

Doug Segal's BIG BROTHER'S TAWDRY LITTLE SISTER - A crowd-
pleasing routine in which the performer controls the
audience in a fun game of celebrity elimination.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/big_brother.html

Alain Nu's WORD WORK, VOLUME 2 - Alain's legendary work on
book tests using an unprepared or borrowed book!
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Word_Work2.html

 

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

Have a happy holiday season. Until next time. -- Jheff

*********
Okay, let's get right to my list, shall we?  And we'll begin
at the top.

THE BEST MENTALISM PRODUCT OF 2008 -
Jerome Finley, THOUGHT CHANNEL
Jerome Finley, THOUGHT CHANNEL 2.0

Before diving into my reasons for choosing this, I need to
preface my choices by once again sharing my qualifications
for choosing the best of the year.  What I was looking for
in my choice was a product that was utilitarian, a product
that can be used in most if not all venues and by most if
not all professional mentalists.  It had to be a product
which mentalists could be excited about using and
integrating into their repertoire.

Now, every single item in my best of 2008 list could well
have been chosen, but I had the difficult task of choosing
the one which fit my qualifications the most.  For instance,
the Hanussen book is brilliant, but most professionals
already know about CMR and there's nothing new to this
technique in the book.  Alain Nu's work is awesome, but
there are many mentalists who just will not perform book
tests.

Also, because many items are released at the end of the
year, I also consider items that were released around the
end of last year and a few that are sitting on my desk that
I haven't officially commented on yet or even added to my
website.  I'm fairly certain that Sean Waters' new book,
CONTEMPLATIONS, would be added to my list, but I just got it
and I've read only a few pieces.  So, I'll save that for
next year's list.  And Patrick Redford shared HEPTAGON with
me about a month ago and, though it's officially coming out
any day now, I feel strongly enough about it that it can be
added to this year's list.  Finally, remember that this a
highly subjective list and tomorrow when I wake up I may
have completely different choices.  And every year I seem to
inadvertently leave something or someone out.  So, I
apologize in advance.

Now, back to my reasons for the choice.  The man who made
the biggest splash in 2008, product-wise, was Jerome Finley.
Not only is he releasing cutting-edge material, but he's
also handling the products of Bob Cassidy and Paolo Cavalli
so that they can worry about being brilliantly creative and
not bogged down in the business aspect of things.  With the
proliferation of mentalism's greatest secrets freely exposed
on YouTube and many other places, it's essential that
mentalism move in the direction of being more real and less
relying on gimmicks and standard tools of the trade.  Though
he certainly uses some of the classic techniques, this is
exactly the direction that Jerome is going.

Jerome, who's a Sangoma healer (visit his website to find
out details -http://www.sangomahealer.com), has released
some awesome products this year.  See below for the rest.
However, THOUGHT CHANNEL and THOUGHT CHANNEL 2.0 are, by
far, the most useful to the most mentalists.  A few years
ago, Charles Gauci created Eye-to-Eye and it has taken the
mentalism community by storm.  It is a gimmicked method of
playing the which-hand-is-the-object-in and, since its
release, it has spawned countless knockoffs and variations.
But Jerome has taken the classic plot, with its gimmickless
method, and has added many more psychological techniques to
it.  With just a little practice, one can do this without
any gimmicks whatsoever, anytime, anywhere.

However, Jerome has gone further than that.  In the sequel,
Jerome discusses that the techniques can be applied to
pseudo-psychometry, bank night, and a few other classic
mentalism plots.  In other words, though it may be appear to
be a limited use, that isn't so.  Jerome has taken an old
method, improved the techniques, and dressed it up so it
becomes a new and invaluable toolbox for the working
mentalist, just like CMR or DW or NW (mentalists know what
these stand for).

As I said, I like all the items on the list.  That's why
they are there.  My choice of the best of the best is purely
subjective and somewhat arbitrary.  Ask me next month, and I
may have a different choice (no disrespect to Jerome
Finley). The rest of the list below is just as good and it
was difficult for me to choose one to call the best.  I
treat this as an academic exercise and understand that just
because I picked something as the best of the best or even
the best it doesn't mean that the product is something that
you will be able to use.

Okay, enough diplomatic apologizing.  It's just one man's
opinions, so here's the rest of the list:

Paul Brook, THE ALCHEMICAL TOOLS
I'm somewhat embarrassed about this entry, because Paul was
featured in the Journal of the Mind earlier this year and
yet I've completely overlooked commenting on my website on
most of his work, which is extraordinary.  The first 250
pages or so of this massive book covers brilliant
psychological techniques and ideas to enhance one's
mentalism performances.  The rest of the book contains
effects that demonstrate these principles.  Like Jerome
Finley, Paul is moving in a direction of making mentalism
more real and this work is more than just thought-provoking.

Bob Cassidy, DOCTOR CROW'S URV
The doctor is in and Bob is back!  Now that Jerome Finley is
handling sales for Bob, there is no more worrying about when
or if you'll get his brilliant thinking.  And this work, a
limited edition that by now may be sold out, is an awesome
routine that involves the entire audience taking a journey
into developing their remote viewing abilities.

Tony Eye, THE WRITE STUFF
DW is a classic and powerful technique in mentalism and Tony
has taken this to all-new level.  It's one that requires a
bit of practice, but it's worth taking the time to learn
this.

THE WORKS OF JEROME FINLEY
I've already discussed Jerome above, but his other works are
certainly no less amazing.  RANDOM THOUGHTS OF KINDNESS and
THOUGHT DIAL are collections of Jerome's thoughts and
routines.  GUERRILLA Q&A is a brilliant, though dangerous
Q&A routine. THE TABOO TREATISE released a huge chunk of
Jerome's pet material and introduces some incredible
psychological techniques to those who wish to go into the
direction of performing real mentalism. If you missed out on
some of his limited works (at the time of this writing,
THOUGHT DIAL has already sold out), you're missing out and
you shouldn't miss his future releases.

Hanussen, MIND READING & TELEPATHY
Contact mind reading is an invaluable skill for any
mentalist.  This book, by one of mentalism's most
fascinating and tragic mentalists in history, the man dubbed
"Hitler's Jewish Psychic," is both a historical work and a
brilliant teaching guide to CMR.

Docc Hilford, MONSTER MENTALISM
I had great fun with it, but also great disappointment.  It
contains solid material and great advice, but it's not what
I expected from Docc.  It's certainly well worth getting,
but I just can't help feeling that it's somewhat of a
letdown due to these expectations. It doesn't showcase the
best material, or even stuff he's well known for.  I would
have been happy if some of this material was performance
only.  In any case, if one takes it for what it is, then the
explanations sections contains some of the wisest lessons
about mentalism on any DVDs I've seen.  And it's for that
which earns its place here.

Docc Hilford, THE WHISPERING BUDDHA
I love Cellular Mitosis (and Docc will be releasing Cellular
Mitosis II, or CMII, very soon and I can't wait!).  This is
very similar to that but contains a few more brilliant
psychological ploys and a very different presentation that's
ideal for clubs and parties.  Like the best mentalism,
nothing is gimmicked and you don't even have to use the
Buddha.  Use a different item.  That makes this a utility
routine that can be done anywhere, anytime.

Looch, YOUR THOUGHTS ARE MINE
At first, I wasn't really that impressed by S.A.D., Looch's
first book.  I thought that the material was well-thought
out, but way too derivative and overhyped.  But then I saw
the material performed on his DVDs.  This is a case where
the material plays better than it reads.  Oh, it's still
derivative and doesn't offer any new techniques, but Looch
has created some fine routines and they are indeed worthy of
study.

Kenton Knepper, SIGNS OF INFLUENCE
Can you hypnotize people through pictures?  Yep, sure can.
It uses a bit of psychological and verbal manipulation,
which would be ideal for someone like Kenton Knepper to
develop, right?  Right.  And here it is.  Print these
pictures out or have them on your PDA/iPhone and you'll have
a great new utility tool for your arsenal.

Peter Nardi, E.S.PERFECT
This is my guilty pleasure.  Not everyone likes working with
E.S.P. cards, but I think this routine is great and I've
been carrying this around in pocket lately and getting a
great reaction.

Alain Nu, WORD WORK I & II
Alain finally released his legendary work on book tests with
ordinary books.  Need I say more?

Patrick Redford, HEPTAGON
This is a late year entry that is not available yet (it is
available for pre-order), but I wanted to include it because
I've been having so much fun with.  Patrick has shared it
with me and I'll be putting my official comments up very
soon.  This is the second in his series that is produced as
comic books.  This time, the theme is effects you can do
over the phone.  Already several have come out with works
dealing with this, among them Jack Kent Tillar (Sextet),
Juan Tamariz (Verbal Magic), and Dr. Bill (Telephone Bill).
I'd have to say that this one is the most fun.  In fact, the
first effect which deals with a children's game played over
the fun had me thinking and working on it for days.  It took
me awhile to just get to the second piece in the book which
is . . . oh, I won't spoil the fun.  Just get it.

Simon Shaw, DIRECTOR'S CUT
My other guilty pleasure on the list.  This is a utility set
of no-gimmicked little plastic movie poster cards in which
the performer can reveal in any number of ways a thought-of
movie.  I've seen the many complaints from performers who
feel the cards are too gimmicky looking and some who say the
cards are too expensive.  Fair enough.  Despite that there
are some very odd choices in films (for instance, why not
E.T. or Titanic?), I really enjoy using these.

THE WORKS OF JACK KENT TILLAR
Jack's been putting out an ambitious series of mentalism
books that cover his five decades worth of experience in the
art.  The first in the series, TRIO, was an acclaimed hit.
The next four in this series - SOLO, DUET, SEXTET, AND
QUINTET - cover walk-around mentalism, two-person mentalism,
long-distance mentalism, and predictions.  Each book
contains approximately 150 pages filled with routines and
ideas.

Donna Zuckerbrot, A FABULUOS MONSTER (MAX MAVEN)
Max is one of mentalism's, and magic's, masters of the last
few decades.  This DVD is not a lecture, nor a class to
learn effects.  It is a documentary which gives you an
insight into the public persona of Max Maven, plus it has
extensive footage of Max's brilliant new one-man show,
Thinking In Person.  Oh, there is much to learn from
watching him perform, and far too many haven't seen him
perform, but you have to infer those brilliant lessons of
showmanship.

*****

JACK KENT TILLAR
QUINTET
JMOM Price: $45
Suggested Retail Price: $49

THE BLURB:

QUINTET: PREDICTIONS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Introduction by Marc Salem

Jack Kent Tillar continues his acclaimed series covering
more than five decades in the world of mentalism. This
collection includes all of his classic prediction effects
for television, stage, parlor and close-up

--- and for those important promotion or publicity parties –

ALL under one cover -- with NO electronics or apparatus!

• Over two dozen performance pieces!
• Five commercial prediction routines directly from Jack
Kent Tillar’s private catalog!
• Insider professional tips on maximizing impact and
entertainment value by Ross Johnson and Maurice Fogel!
• Three private routines: Comic Book Hero, The Signed and
Numbered Art Piece Prediction plus The Man Who Saw Tomorrow!
• Two effects slated for individual commercial release: ESP
Symbol Control and The Annemann $2,000 Card Challenge!
• Publicity routines including “See-Through” Headline
Prediction, The Joe Renzetti Stage Prediction, and the new
“Parachute” Miniature Nest of Boxes Prediction!

“Let me tell you a secret, I can’t tell the future. But if I
could, I would say Jack has another hit in his series.”
-- Marc Salem

MY COMMENTS:
Once again, I have to qualify this review by saying I'm a
bit biased.  I've been helping Jack edit and publish his
works.  Of course, I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't
think they were worth it.  That said, let me just say that I
really felt that this entry would be one of the weakest in
the series.  I was pleasantly proven wrong.  Personally, I
hate predictions.  They're way too powerful.  I usually turn
them into demonstrations of mind control.  Interestingly,
Jack feels the same way and these effects, though
technically predictions, can be used as such.  Plus, there
are many who like performing prediction effects as
predictions and I certainly won't tell you it's wrong,
because every person's style is and should be different.

Getting back to the subject at hand (and back to being a bit
more objective), the book contains over two-dozen creative
effects, some of which are by others, such as Burton
Sperber, Richard Webster, and Glenn Falkenstein.  The
effects are divided into five categories, which are
commercial effects, performance pieces, close-up
predictions, publicity predictions, and friends' routines.
I'm sure you'll find at least a few goodies in this
146-page, 6" x 9" softbound book.  I'll just close out my
comments by this by noting that Marc Salem very rarely
endorses any products.  Not only has he provided a
testimonial, but he's written a brief introduction for the
book.  That alone should speak well enough of the material
within this book, not to mention the others in the series.

Contents:
Part I: The JKT Commercial Prediction Effects
Lottery Fever
A Prediction for Everyone
Super Bowl Party Prediction
Go Figure!
A Perfect Prediction
 
Part II: Performance Pieces 
Parachute Prediction
See-Through Prediction
ESP Symbol Control
Joe Renzetti -- Stooge!
Fogel’s Loose Change Prediction
 
Part III: Close-Up Predictions
Multiplying Your Outs
A & S  Double Prediction
A Pateo for Two
My Half Thumb Tip Writer
An Old Friend Prediction
 
Part IV: Publicity Predictions
The “Bust” Prediction
Comic Book Hero
Signed and Numbered Art Piece
Initialed Card – Just in Case
Annemann’s $2,000 Card Challenge
 
Part V: The Magic of Friends
Burton Sperber’s Mind Flash
Mark Edward’s The Nazca Stone
Robin Robertson’s Mix and Match
Richard Webster’s Memorable Prophesies
JKT’s The Man Who Saw Tomorrow
Glenn Falkenstein’s Divine a Card

 

*********
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