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mike89 New user 61 Posts |
I'm going to cut STRAIGHT to the point. Has anybody seen this man actually perform?
For one of the most well known contributers in our field, Kenton certainly keeps his performance life a real secret. Forgive me for an ignorant assumption, but Mr. Knepper certainly comes across to me as an "armchair mentalist". His only recorded work that I know of(Klose Up and Unpublished, Desert Brainstorm) display his talents in close up magic. For such a gifted, mystical performer of psychological illusion(wonderwizards.com certainly portray him in this light) why are we not getting a "Kenton Knepper's Mind Mysteries" set? . Why does he shy from the cameras and our big stages? I for one would love to see works like Kentonism in practice, on front of a REAL audience. Now don't get me wrong,I'm not attacking the man. He has without doubt produced quaility material. I am merely curious.
"I believe the human race and fish can co-exist peacefully" -GEORGE W. BUSH
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J ack Galloway Inner circle 1309 Posts |
I have two of his perfromance DVD's recorded last year in Vegas.
Why don't you get those if you want to see him perfrom? Sorry I will not be able to add more to this thread I am pretty busy on the final leap topic. Jack H.12/O.17 A-X |
Al Straker Grammar Host Australia 1129 Posts |
The Desert Brainstorm series has him performing 3 effects. He actually has a much more light hearted approach than what I expected. One of the three effects is a play on words type and seems to draw a good response. Each to their own I think he has interesting ideas and have used some of his material with success.
Cheers, Al
Al Straker
Resident Mystery Entertainer at Multiple Venues Music & Mentalism Specialty Act 'Completely Mental' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyGhApqnG7I (Old clip, show has changed quite a bit since then!) Jazz & Contemporary Musician/Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnN3JNmeKns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_zfOvpneA |
David Numen Inner circle 2072 Posts |
I have only seen Kenton perform in his "Klose-Up and Unpulblished" video and "The Ring" CD-ROM. Neither performance was particularly inspiring and I think he´s another case of someone not practising what they preach.
That said, what does it matter? I´ve reached a stage where it no longer atters to me how good or bad a particular author is at performing - what matters is what I take and do with the material. And in Kenton´s case I´ve gotten a great deal out of the Wonder Words series and some of his earlier works are packed not only with fantastic material but plenty of food for thought. |
Tony Razzano Inner circle South River, NJ 1600 Posts |
Many mentalists,who are top quality, world class entertainers,choose not to do dvd's for various reasons. Recording dvd's, to me, does not have anything to do with the quality of a mentalist's performance at all.
I have been in Kenton Knepper's audience on two occasions and I can attest to the high quality of his work onstage. He is anything but an armchair mentalist. Best regards, Tony Razzano
Best regards,
<BR>Tony Razzano, Past President, PEA Winner of the PEA"s Bascom Jones and Bob Haines Awards |
The One Veteran user 325 Posts |
He's probably busy entertaining laymen
I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end...
I came here... To tell you how this is going to begin. |
GusVanNostrum Veteran user With automatic writing I've produced 343 Posts |
And those are the ones who actually deserves best to be entertained.
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Kenguru Loyal user Hungary & Israel 273 Posts |
I saw him perform both close up and on stage.
I think he does try (and succeeds) in practicing what he preaches, and I found his performance to be unique, entertaining and he comes through as a very likeable easy going sincere kind of guy (much like the way he is off stage). He has his own style and it is natural that this would not appeal to everyone. |
Curmudgeon Loyal user Iowa 245 Posts |
I have seen him perform (at his annual lecture in his home town) three times now and I believe that he is a very good mentalist and performer. He has always performed what he has released the year prior and this stuff works for him. I agree that his material may not be suited for everyone (actually a small percentage of people) but it does work in his hands. I can't speak for him but I think (my opinion) that you may not see more work on video by him because he would rather there not be clones of himself out doing his material. If you have seen him live, it would be almost impossible to be a clone of him but think about all the people who would buy robes and try...it would be quite silly. Kenton is Kenton and that's why his material works for him.
My two cents |
teejay Inner circle Liverpool, UK 1831 Posts |
'' I can't speak for him but I think (my opinion) that you may not see more work on video by him because he would rather there not be clones of himself out doing his material.''
So why sell so much of it? TJ |
Curmudgeon Loyal user Iowa 245 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-17 03:55, teejay wrote: Its a lot easier to read something and come up with with your own interpretation of the material. It makes you use your mind to mold the effect or principles to your own performing style. When people watch things they tend to be mocking birds. He puts out his work to share with the community,if you ever meet him you will understand that he is a genuine person and not a money hungry person. |
David Numen Inner circle 2072 Posts |
Yep, I think that´s a problem with DVD´s - with books you have to imagine how stuff looks and in fact that can often be a great benefit in putting your own spin on a routine. With DVD´s it´s more likely the average viewer will copy the performer - consciously or unconsciously - and produce a clone.
I like a mix of both. My ideal would be real-world performance DVD´s mixed with ebook explanations of the effects. I find explanations the dullest part of most DVD´s and videos (I was the same with lectures when I was a magic club member)as they are often aimed at the lowest common denominator. |
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