Price$49.95
Media TypeBook
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedAug 01, 2008
Solo
Jack K Tillar
Learn-Rite Press
(Based on 2 reviews)
- Over 30 new performance pieces tailored for walk-around performances
- 8 concise essays on how to get started
- Original approaches and opening gambits
- How to create and use business cards that guest will keep
- A bonus "Design Duplication" master routine by Michael Weber
- Essential insider information for special events
- The best advice on what to do and what not to do at corporate and social events!
- Max Maven from his introduction
"You are about to be drawn in by my friend (film composer and mentalist) Jack Kent Tillar. I expect it will be a harmonious experience."
- Max Maven
Pages 144 - Softbound
Reviews
(Top ▲)
At first I thought that $50 was a bit much to pay for a 144 page paperback, but I was wrong. From page 1 I started highlighting and underlining things that were important to me. Almost every page has something underlined or highlighted.
From advice and routines with business cards to longer involved routines, almost all of what I have read so far is great.
I look forward to reading more of Tillar's other books.
From advice and routines with business cards to longer involved routines, almost all of what I have read so far is great.
I look forward to reading more of Tillar's other books.
(Top ▲)
Solo is a book of close up mentalism tricks by Jack Tillar of the “blister effect” fame. The book is a very nice soft cover tome containing 144 pages. The first 26 pages Jack gives his advice about performing and some of his personal philosophy about mentalism and how to present to an audience. I enjoyed this part of the book and felt there were some very good points made.
To fully enjoy this book you must understand that Jack Tillar was involved in magic in mentalism back in the 50’s and 60’s. He then dropped out of sight in the 70’s to pursue a television and music career. He continued to work with mentalism but quietly. He has now released this book of effects that spans his entire career in mentalism.
This is important to understand for the reader as some of his effects might seem dated or even a copy of something more recent. But that would not be the case as these are effects he has been performing for decades and are only now seeing the light of day. I there would have been a lot less confusion over this issue had Jack put his bio and concept for the book up front in the first chapter.
You’re a Psychic Star was the second effect in the book. I found this one intriguing and a very nice variation of the old matching ESP symbols. Very clever and very fun.
The third effect is the “JKT Utility Impression Device”. It is a very clever idea; however, its time has passed. I am sure with some thinking and tinkering you can still make it work for today. He states that many years past he came up with this idea when certain office store “items” were packaged differently than they are today. After consulting with Bascom Jones and Dai Vernon, he kept it to himself and only now is releasing it. Well, that is nice, but it’s a little late. Perhaps a forward thinking mentalist might find a way to adapt this principle for some current items.
The fifth effect uses a standard Voodoo Doll theme with the spectator thrusting a pin in the outline of a doll. After the dramatic by play the printed doll is turned over and shown to have an “x” marked at the sight of the injury. Jack then goes to write about variations and kickers he has used to enhance this effect. Some have worked and some have not. I really enjoy these parts because it shows that these are coming from someone who has worked and used these routines in the real world.
Some of the ideas in the book I really enjoyed others not so much. A great deal of how much you will enjoy this book will be determined by your experience as well. If you are still somewhat new to mentalism and mental magic, I would grab up this book. Those with more experience will still enjoy thumbing through the pages and getting a look at a working pros close up sets. I can’t say that this is ground breaking material but it is solid and delevers.
To fully enjoy this book you must understand that Jack Tillar was involved in magic in mentalism back in the 50’s and 60’s. He then dropped out of sight in the 70’s to pursue a television and music career. He continued to work with mentalism but quietly. He has now released this book of effects that spans his entire career in mentalism.
This is important to understand for the reader as some of his effects might seem dated or even a copy of something more recent. But that would not be the case as these are effects he has been performing for decades and are only now seeing the light of day. I there would have been a lot less confusion over this issue had Jack put his bio and concept for the book up front in the first chapter.
You’re a Psychic Star was the second effect in the book. I found this one intriguing and a very nice variation of the old matching ESP symbols. Very clever and very fun.
The third effect is the “JKT Utility Impression Device”. It is a very clever idea; however, its time has passed. I am sure with some thinking and tinkering you can still make it work for today. He states that many years past he came up with this idea when certain office store “items” were packaged differently than they are today. After consulting with Bascom Jones and Dai Vernon, he kept it to himself and only now is releasing it. Well, that is nice, but it’s a little late. Perhaps a forward thinking mentalist might find a way to adapt this principle for some current items.
The fifth effect uses a standard Voodoo Doll theme with the spectator thrusting a pin in the outline of a doll. After the dramatic by play the printed doll is turned over and shown to have an “x” marked at the sight of the injury. Jack then goes to write about variations and kickers he has used to enhance this effect. Some have worked and some have not. I really enjoy these parts because it shows that these are coming from someone who has worked and used these routines in the real world.
Some of the ideas in the book I really enjoyed others not so much. A great deal of how much you will enjoy this book will be determined by your experience as well. If you are still somewhat new to mentalism and mental magic, I would grab up this book. Those with more experience will still enjoy thumbing through the pages and getting a look at a working pros close up sets. I can’t say that this is ground breaking material but it is solid and delevers.