Daniel Garcia: Next

Next is a 17 page PDF file that showcases the magic of Daniel Garcia. It includes six routines designed to be done totally impromptu. The effects make use of a variety of objects from paper clips and bottle caps to matches and rubber bands. Here is what is explained.

Cliptrip- A spectator straightens a borrowed paper clip and hands it to the magician who proceeds to bend it with the power of his mind. This is not a mind blowing stunt given that everyone knows it is not difficult to bend paper clips, but the trick only takes a few minutes to master for a lifetime. It may just come in handy sometime when someone tells you to "do a trick." While this is not as impressive as bending spoons or forks, it is also much less destructive. My only concern with the effect is that many laymen will assume they know how it is done even though they have not guessed the true method.

No Smoking- This will likely be the favorite effect from the notes for many magicians. Daniel has spiced up the classic traveling match trick by mixing it with a ultra cool bar stunt. In effect, the magician removes a few matches and lights the rest of the matchbook on fire. The book is closed and handed to a spectator. One of the removed matches is vanished as smoke emerges from the magician's mouth and blows towards the matchbook. When the book is opened, an unburned match is found still attached inside.

I have to admit that the idea of the effect sounds intriguing, but I was unable to produce very much smoke from my mouth after repeated attempts. Others on internet forums, however, have claimed to have had no trouble. At any rate, I can attest to the fact that it takes a bit of guts to try the method for the first time. Daniel assures his readers that the effect is completely safe, but it may not be a bad idea to do a little research before trying this every night.

DiscHOVER- The author's description of the effect reads, "at any time the magician causes a credit card to float without any setup or gimmicks...whatsoever." This is a cute stunt that is at least fun to perform for yourself. However, I highly doubt the method will fool anyone for more than a few short seconds. While the illusion of the card suspended is neat, it is not deeply fooling. It may trick the eyes, but it won't trick the mind.

Addict- This reminded a lot of something that Paul Harris would have created. The magician places a lit cigarette through the cellophane of the cigarette pack. With a magical correction, the cellophane restores itself; the holes are gone. This is another trick based on an old idea that Daniel has reworked to improve the effect. The only downside is that only smokers will really be able to use this item as it is not advisable to perform the effect using a borrowed pack.

Whassup!!!- Daniels solution to the impromptu cap in beer bottle effect is brilliant. The preparation takes a couple of seconds and could even be done in front of the audience. A bottle cap is displayed in the magician's left hand as he holds the bottle in the right. The bottle is slammed down on the cap and the cap is seen and heard inside. The bottle is turned upside down, but the cap is too big to fall out. Finally, the magician extracts the cap and hands everything out for examination. Those who frequent bars or functions where beer bottles are available will likely add this to their performing repertoire. It is easy to do (the author claims it only takes five minutes of practice) and fun to perform.

Stretch- This is a three phase ring and rubber band routine that has many visually shocking components. A borrowed ring is threaded onto a rubber band. Another band is introduced and the ring jumps from band to band. One of the bands vanishes as does the ring. The ring is reproduced and melts off the band for the finale. This is by far the most difficult routine in the notes to master. The author admits that it is difficult to describe in print. More than once, I was confused on a piece of instruction. Unfortunately, items such as this are often better taught on video. Still, if you are experienced with rubber bands and are willing to work a little harder to understand what occurs, you will have a ring and rubber band routine that looks great.

Overall, the notes were decent, but I do not believe they deserve all of the praise that has abounded over them on internet forums. Clip Trip and DiscHOVER are nice throwaways, but nothing spectacular. Addict is best suit for smokers. No Smoking is a nice addition to an existing routine, but many may shy away due to its method. Whassup and Stretch were the highlights of the notes, but the rubber band routine is a little difficult to grasp at times.

My biggest complaint is the writing style and presentation used to convey the author's instructions. Instead of traditional grammar and sentence structure, Daniel decided to present his ideas in a sort of stream of consciousness style of writing. This is annoying at best. Also, the layout of the pages is sloppy and confusing. For example, there are instances where a few words are separated from the body of the text by images. This interrupts the reader's flow and looks unappealing. It could have been avoided if more time were spent on the layout. Also, the pictures themselves are out of order. I am not sure what the author was attempting with this page layout, but the results are frustrating for the reader. Unfortunately, what I assume are his attempts to be cool detract from some of the wonderful ideas he has to offer.

I do not recommend these notes for everyone, but bar performers may pick up a few cool tricks. I would bet that others, however, could find a better use of their $15.

-Available from www.Lybrary.com

David Regal: Premise, Power, and Participation Vol. 4: Regal Stands Erect

Before I attempt to review this item, I must admit I am a little biased; David Regal is my absolute favorite magician. I have been fooled more times watching his DVDs than I care to count. My favorite quality of his is the fact that he will stop at nothing to fool his audience. His attention to detail shows in his performance scripts and the structuring of his routines. He is a true professional who knows how to entertain an audience. He is one of the few magicians with whom I feel comfortable purchasing material before even reading an ad. In the final volume of his latest L&L Publishing DVD series, David tips his stand up routines. Here is what is included...

Journey To Love- David says this is his presentation for Larry Becker's Hotel Room Mystery. The effect is simply stunning. A woman and three men are invited to the stage. They decide on a Hotel and a room number through a procedure that seems impossibly fair. It seems there is no way David could have predicted the outcome, yet he produces a room key with the spectator's seemingly free selections engraved into it. The nice thing about the effect is there are no multiple outs. It works every time; the prediction you show in the beginning is the exact one you reveal at the end of the effect.

The trick is basically self working, but this is not something you can immediately add to you repertoire. While David tips the workings of the effect, I cannot imagine many people will be able to pull off his presentation. In fact, this is one of the things I love so much about David: his performances reek of his style. He is truly one of a kind. Still, if you can build your own presentation, this may be something you will use for a long time to come.

Got A Light?- David performs a simple sympathetic matchbox routine with two examined matchboxes. For the finale, one of the matchboxes magically rises and opens. Everything is immediately handed out for examination. This was the weakest effect on the DVD for me. First, the performance seemed a little hurried. Second, it appears that this is one of the effects where the whole is not greater than the sum of the parts. The positive, of course, is that the matchboxes can be inspected. Unfortunately, this is at the expense of the eeriness of the routine. The sympathetic phase simply does not look as good as the standard marketed effect. However, while I was not impressed with the routine, David has a very clever line used to introduce the effect that brought a smile to my face.

Swindle Transpo- David has devised an almost self-working cards across effect that uses almost no moves. The magician introduces two decks of cards: one red and one blue. Ten cards are removed from each deck to form a red and a blue pile. The spectator selects one of the piles and selects and signs a card. Both packets are sealed into window envelopes. After a magical gesture, the envelopes are opened. Let's assume the spectator's card was blue backed. The blue backed cards are examined; the selection has vanished. The red backs cards are spread to reveal one blue backed card; it is the signed selection. The effect is clear and uncluttered. There are no extraneous moves. Everything seems fair throughout the routine. It is not a blockbuster effect, but it is within the reach of most cardmen.

The Very Last Card- This is David's favorite platform effect. In effect, an examined deck is shuffled and fifty one cards are tossed into a trash can. The one card that remains is the very card the magician predicted in the beginning. The workings of this effect are extremely clever, but, once again, his presentation is what makes this play so big. Those looking for a card effect to play on the largest stage will certainly enjoy this routine. Finally, even if you are already familiar with the routine from David's Constant Fooling books, seeing the finale with David's picture of Billy McComb is priceless.

(Bonus) After Hours- This is David's take on the story deck. He has devised a completely new story that is full of jokes and bits of business that will delight any crowd. I was especially impressed with David's extreme attention to every detail of his performance. For instance, he explains how to set the deck to make sure the Jokers come out facing the audience. This is just one example of the thought that goes into each of David's routines. Bar magicians looking for an alternative to the popular Sam The Bellhop will definitely find a use for David's off beat routine. For those familiar with other story decks, Regal's version is shorter than Simon Lovell's Who Killed Lilly Longlegs presentation but longer than the aforementioned Sam The Bellhop.

As always, David's teaching style is friendly and clear. Nothing is left out. The only issue I have with the DVD from a technical standpoint is that it seemed that the L&L studio is not suited for stand up performances. During a few of the routines, the shot seems crowded. In fact, some participants cannot even be seen. This has nothing to do with David or with the viewer's ability to understand what is going on, but it is a little distracting.

If you have never witnessed David's magic, pick up one of his earlier releases as I do not think this is his best work. Those looking for material to immediately add to their repertoire, however, are also advised to look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you are looking for stand up routines and are willing to put in the necessary time to polish your presentation, you will not be disappointed. The fact that I am recommending what I think is David's weakest DVD to date says a great deal about the quality of his material. In a word, brilliant.

-Available from www.DavidRegal.com