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MField2000 Special user Hastings, East Sussex, England 590 Posts |
Hi, John. It is always inspiring to see a truly great magician sharing wisdom on a forum like this one. I hope those who read your words take them to heart and re-read them.
Eugene Burger advised that for every new book a magician reads, he should read one from 25 years ago. I like that advice, and I thought you might be willing to say a few words about Lewis Ganson's "Magic with Faucett Ross." I know you stuidied with Ross. He seems to be underappreciated these days, but looking through his book I am astounded at the bredth of his material, from standard stage magic like the Bowls of Water, Miser's Dream, Linking Rings and Egg Bag to his card work, including Card at a Number and Four Card Routine. His Vernon, Chalie Miller and T. Nelson Downs material should be required reading for any serious student of magic. Any thoughts you might share with us about this great magician? Matt Field |
John Carney V.I.P. Los Angeles, CA 87 Posts |
Hey Matt,
Nice to hear from you. Hope you are enjoying it "over there". I have talked about Faucett on a couple other threads, but perhaps here, something fresh. One of the first books I got when I was about 15, was "Early Vernon", a small paperback reproduction of Vernon's "Twenty Dollar Manuscript". In the front of the book there was a photo of Faucett Ross, along with his address, which to my surprise was in St. Joseph, MO. I had relatives there and visited often, so I got very excited at being so close to a great magician. I made my first long distance phone call to Faucett, and requested a meeting. He graciously agreed, and just a couple months later we went down to visit relatives for the holiday. My mother dropped me off at his house for a couple hours and I had a blast. Faucett was a professional magician, mostly in the “small time”, working night-clubs, county fairs and banquets around the Midwest. But still, over the years he managed to become a friend and confidant to some of the greatest magicians in the world. I guess I expected him to live in some sort of mysterious looking castle, but the reality was much more mundane. It was a simple little house, and after knocking on the door, I was greeted by a very ordinary looking fellow. No cape or top hat, no flowing beard… just a simple man … with some of the largest ears I had ever seen! Not that they did him any good, mind you. He was practically deaf. Faucett was a kind, gentle soul, a soft spoken mid-western gentleman. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. Every time I saw him, he was dressed in a coat and tie…… even around the house. That’s just the way the old timers did it, they were much more formal. And then, there were the accessories… pipe, tobacco, matches…… Faucett wielded that pipe like a conductor’s baton, punctuating every story with his ritual lighting of matches and a few puffs on the pipe. He didn’t simply tell these stories, he would PERFORM them, right there in his living room, for an audience of one. Sometimes I had heard the same story many times before, but I wouldn’t let on because I still enjoyed hearing them. He detailed routines, gave advice and told great stories.......he was a great friend and I am glad to have known him. Magic With Faucett Ross is a great book, full of great material and advice from a pro. You will enjoy it not just for the tricks.......it is a bit like sitting across from him in his living room.......a personal visit. Read and enjoy! Carney |
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