Recall
Crosbie, Tom
Wizard FX Productions
On disc one Tom talks about types of stacks along with their pros and cons. He then explains over 20 moves and sleights that are needed when working with a memorised deck. Finally he presents his 8 favourite effects that can be performed with ANY memorised deck.
On disc two Tom explains the Shadow Stack, the only stack created with the modern magician in mind. The Shadow Stack has an unbelievable amount of features built in that will allow you to perform gambling routines, spelling routines, super clean ACANN routines, four of a kind productions and lots more. The Shadow Stack also doubles up as a story deck making the stack even more commercial. Finally tips his work on jazzing and the trick that cannot be explained. This advice alone is worth the price of the DVD.
If you have never worked with a memorised deck you have to buy this project. However if you have used memorised decks tho really have to buy this project
Includes contributions by
Luke Jermay
Pit Hartling
Garrett Thomas
Tom Stone
Craig Petty
Reviews
(Top ▲)
The main stack used on this set is called the Shadow stack, but if you already have a memorized deck you use, there are some great tips and tricks that can be applied to any memorized deck.
That said, these discs do have a few minor disadvantages. For starters, Craig Petty sits in on the explanations, and rather than asking interesting questions or adding valuable insight, he mostly just talks about how much he loves the Shadow stack, and how sick the reactions are to the tricks being taught.
Also, after nearly two hours on each disc, the same music and intro shots get really monotonous.
Finally, some of the tricks are really lacking. Probably the worst effect on this set is an ACAAN type routine combined with a Diary, which was a bit cluttered, and when there are clearer, more practical Diary AND ACCAN routines, this felt pointless.
That said, I think one of the best features is that the Shadow stack can be a story deck. It can also be used as a “Pump Deck” which makes for some very direct mind reading effects.
It won’t be easy, and it will take time to get comfortable with any memorized deck, but I think this set will make the journey slightly quicker and more enjoyable.
(Top ▲)
I don't think Oliver North would appreciate this DVD set. Hey if you don't get the reference . . . all this means that you're a young whipper snapper.
Anyhoo . . . Recall. The price ($47.50) is a bit steep. However, there is a butt load of material on this 2 disk set. First, disk one is a comprehensive study of the memorized stack as a concept. Everything you need to know to use a memorized deck. If you're currently using a memorized stack or you've never used one, disk one is a killer resource.
For those already using a mem-deck, you'll find some excellent tips and insights that will likely be worth the cost for you. For the newbie who hasn't learned a stack yet, you'll learn the pros and cons of many of the stacks, tips on memorizing them, as well a handful of tricks you can do with any mem-deck.
Disk two teaches you Tom Crosbie's personal stack, The Shadow Stack. It's got some cool things built into that may not be built into other stacks. However, in my opinion, it's just one more stack to choose from. Whether you use the Aronson Stack, The Tamariz Stack, The Shadow Stack or any other stack, this DVD set is worthy of note due to the combined amount of resources and information regarding the topic of mem-decks and their possibilities. In my view, disk two is just a bonus that gives you another stack to choose from. I will say, that I found it funny that even Crosbie (the creator of the stack) seemed, at times, to struggle with his own system. However, that does not take away from the value of this set (particular disk 1).
Mem-decks have the power to truly blow a person's mind. There is so much stuff that can be done with a mem-deck that I feel it's every magicians duty to, at the very least, study the subject. This DVD set makes for an easy way to do that. To quote Oliver North, "I Do Not Recall" an easier way to make the acquaintance of such a power tool as the mem-deck.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
(Top ▲)
a good handling on the memorised stack.
Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
The difficulty is a 3 because you need to memorise the stack and it takes some time, also the sleights aren't the easiest of all to do.
Review
What makes this more impressive then the other memorised stacks? Nothing much actually. Why such a high rating then? Because you get everything you need to start memorised deck work on a dvd-set, no need to do anymore research, if you like the moves on the set.
Tom teaches you everything you need to know to start to work with his stack. It's lovely. He gives you subtleties only a pro can give you, that has worked with his stack.
Overall
Even if you already have a stack, buy this one so you can look at some subtleties that will make your own stack work even better. The subtleties will make it worth while (and no, I'm not being paid by Tom).