Price$38.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryGeneral, Close Up
Date AddedFeb 13, 2004
Video of Secrets, Volume 2
John Carney
(Based on 1 review)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
I suppose, given John Carney’s longstanding reputation, it’s pointless for me to begin this review by telling you how good a magician he is. But he really is a very good magician, and frankly, in these times of unchecked and often unsubstantiated hype, that bears repeating.
Moreover, while a new, young, exuberant generation of magicians moves towards a quicker, flashier style of magic, John is resolute in his commitment to a classical approach. At the same time, however, he manages to make his material both hip and relevant, a rare gift when dealing with such potentially dated props as cigars, linking rings, thimbles and handkerchiefs.
So let’s talk about these DVDs. First of all, each one contains five items, for a total of ten (you’re welcome...). Secondly, with the exception of two Linking Ring moves and a card sleight, every item is a fully developed, wholly realized routine.
Thirdly, while all the routines are presented in the context of a stand-up act, several could also be used in walkaround conditions.
And fourthly, every one of these routines imbues larger lessons in performing that would be useful to any bipedal, carbon based entertainer.
Volume II
“Rubbed Away” is a quick routine with a handkerchief in which knots repeatedly vanish despite being tied quite convincingly, then finally, the handkerchief itself vanishes.
“Silver and Glass” is beautiful coins-to-glass routine based on Dai Vernon’s seminal version. There is an enormous amount of magic here, and quite a few different techniques involved, all of which combine to form a genuine showpiece.
“Multiple Slip” is an excellent utility move designed to control several cards, taught in the context of a simple four-ace production.
“Thimble Collection” is a thimble act in which five thimbles are produced one at a time, then travel from one hand to the other, then finally vanish. It’s quick, startling and very well constructed (three attributes one could ascribe to almost all of John’s magic).
And finally, “Up My Sleeve” is the most entertaining version of the cards-up-the-sleeve you are likely to witness, and well worth the price of the DVD. It has comedy, it has magic, it has a terrific build, and it has multiple climaxes that drive the trick forward, rather than draining each climax of life by following it up with something pedantic or redundant.
Among the sleights you will learn on these DVDs, in addition to those I have already mentioned, are “The Ramsey Coin Production,” “The Downs Coin Production,” Ramsey’s thimble production, the Downs “Coin Star,” “The Dribble Force,” “The Erdnase Palm” and much more
Ultimately all the material here is the product of years of study, practice and performance, a lethal combination in the hands of a man as talented as John Carney.
David Acer
Moreover, while a new, young, exuberant generation of magicians moves towards a quicker, flashier style of magic, John is resolute in his commitment to a classical approach. At the same time, however, he manages to make his material both hip and relevant, a rare gift when dealing with such potentially dated props as cigars, linking rings, thimbles and handkerchiefs.
So let’s talk about these DVDs. First of all, each one contains five items, for a total of ten (you’re welcome...). Secondly, with the exception of two Linking Ring moves and a card sleight, every item is a fully developed, wholly realized routine.
Thirdly, while all the routines are presented in the context of a stand-up act, several could also be used in walkaround conditions.
And fourthly, every one of these routines imbues larger lessons in performing that would be useful to any bipedal, carbon based entertainer.
Volume II
“Rubbed Away” is a quick routine with a handkerchief in which knots repeatedly vanish despite being tied quite convincingly, then finally, the handkerchief itself vanishes.
“Silver and Glass” is beautiful coins-to-glass routine based on Dai Vernon’s seminal version. There is an enormous amount of magic here, and quite a few different techniques involved, all of which combine to form a genuine showpiece.
“Multiple Slip” is an excellent utility move designed to control several cards, taught in the context of a simple four-ace production.
“Thimble Collection” is a thimble act in which five thimbles are produced one at a time, then travel from one hand to the other, then finally vanish. It’s quick, startling and very well constructed (three attributes one could ascribe to almost all of John’s magic).
And finally, “Up My Sleeve” is the most entertaining version of the cards-up-the-sleeve you are likely to witness, and well worth the price of the DVD. It has comedy, it has magic, it has a terrific build, and it has multiple climaxes that drive the trick forward, rather than draining each climax of life by following it up with something pedantic or redundant.
Among the sleights you will learn on these DVDs, in addition to those I have already mentioned, are “The Ramsey Coin Production,” “The Downs Coin Production,” Ramsey’s thimble production, the Downs “Coin Star,” “The Dribble Force,” “The Erdnase Palm” and much more
Ultimately all the material here is the product of years of study, practice and performance, a lethal combination in the hands of a man as talented as John Carney.
David Acer