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Smoking Camel Inner circle UK 1039 Posts |
Eagerly awaiting a review......
Anyone received this yet? (It hadn’t officially been released but it appears like it’s available to order on deceptionary)
I no longer smoke camel cigarettes.
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Fenomeno New user 47 Posts |
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ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
The previously posted link is actually for Scryer's Secrets.
Here is the link for the new book, Scryer's Elite.
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1866 Posts |
Not an in-depth "review" per se, but I can help shed a little light on this.
Scryer's Elite comes in at 110 pages and consists of two sections. The first, is a number of new pieces from Neal Scryer - ten in total. The second, features work from contributors carefully hand-picked by Scryer himself for this project: William Barclay, Zac Barkowski, Larry Baukin, Steve Drury, Philip Gangleberger, Helmuth Grunewald, Anthony Jacquin, Max Maven, Matt Pulsar, Jon Riggs, Michael Weber, Richard Webster, Jeremy Weiss, and myself. It's worth mentioning that the ad-copy at Stevens Magic lists only one effect from each of these contributors, but there are actually a few more than this. For example, I myself have two pieces in the book and Richard Webster has included three. Count it as a pleasant surprise. Those of you who've read Scryer's previous works or Scryer and Friends may wonder at how they compare. Scryer's work in this volume is typical of what we have come to expect from him: simple and effective routines that are participant-oriented and with the usual serving of good-will and wholesome vibrations generously heaped on top. Evocative titles such as "Smiley Face", "A Jar Full of Love and Wishes", and "Someone is Watching Over You" etc., prove this to be true. He's also included some seance work and a lovely die effect ("Numerological Die") in addition to a an interesting twist on an old chestnut in his "A Scent of Lavender". Simply stated, this is a well-rounded offering of material that will appeal to a variety of different tastes which you can put to work immediately and bear the usual Scryer hallmarks he is known for. The second half of the book is where things get really interesting as a veritable smorgasbord of dynamic material is presented. I won't try to pretend that I didn't feel a great deal of anxiety when asked if I would contribute once I learned what the project's scope and focus was and who the other contributors were - and what a line-up it is! I won't spend too much time talking about the material, but I have to tell you that when I read Michael Weber's contribution involving rose petals and a bowl of water, I literally sat back with a huge grin on my face and basked in the simple and elegant beauty of it all. Two words perfectly describe it: "Midas Touch." You'll immediately understand what I mean upon just reading the effect's description alone in the book. It is utterly beautiful and I wish that I had thought of this. Thankfully Michael did and we're all the better for it. There's a ton of really terrific work in this volume, but for me, this was the real stand-out piece. It is in this section of the book where we also see a difference in comparing it against previously released works from Scryer. The "metaphysical new-age" feel remains, but there is a nice balance of material that is inclusive of other horizons. Here we find an impromptu seance from the hypnotist Anthony Jacquin, effects involving the the theme of traveling from Richard Webster and Max Maven, routines involving Tarot cards, and even straight-up pieces of bizarre. There are also a few card effects, and of course - no Scryer book would ever be complete without having at least a pendulum routine or two as well. These are also present. There's also terrific cartomanacy work from Matt Pulsar, a drawing duplication and more. But I don't want to ruin all the surprises for you. The fact is, the work presented here is all solid material from some of the greatest in our art today. There aren't any pipe-dreams and the routines are fully-realized and fleshed out. There's something for everyone here; from the magician and card-guy, to the mentalist, bizzarist and even those who do seances. The thread of commonality which runs throughout much of the material remains the same however. This is material that is uplifting and designed to make people feel good, empower them, and promote good-will. However, Scryer's books are not where one goes to learn new methods and this book is no different in that regard. Effect (or rather, affect) is everything here and the emphasis is on the participant while using old methods in meaningful and impactful ways - as it should be. Bottom line, this new addition to the Scryer series strikes a wonderful balance in being able to deliver something for most everyone and better than ever before. I feel deeply honored to have been included in this volume, but please don't think that this fact taints my thoughts on the book. Just my two cents. I hope this helps. |
Smoking Camel Inner circle UK 1039 Posts |
Anyone got this yet?
I no longer smoke camel cigarettes.
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Luciole New user 9 Posts |
I'm also interested in a review.
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jeremysweiss Special user 742 Posts |
I can’t give a review...but I can tell you that I hid two puzzles in my contributions. Both are spells in puzzle form.
The Shock Doc
<BR>www.TheShockDocShow.com <BR> <BR> <BR>http://ballycast.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/ballycast-024-2009-03-21.mp3 <BR> <BR>"....Jeremy Weiss has the greatest card trick of ALL TIME!"--Jamie D. Grant. <BR>Start listening to iTricks 11/12/09 |
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