Gordon Bean Archives - Bicycle Cards

Caan Craft – a mini review

Phil Sweeting — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 22:25:36 +0000

When I first got wind of this new JK Hartman/Gordon Bean production I was very excited. After all, ACAAN is one of my favourite plots to think about and explore. Does that make me a sad man? Probably, but I’m ok with that. So I was delighted when our review copy dropped through the door.

The Externals

It’s a nicely produced, slim (85 pages) black hardback number with elegant silver embossed writing on the front and spine and comes complete with a specially printed (Bicycle) card which you will use in one of the routines. The text is clear and of a good size, and Tony Dunn has made an excellent job of the illustrations.

Variations on a theme…

If you’ve spent any time on this site, you will know that I love the process of creating and developing magic – and so for me one of the joys of this book is the organic way in which the different effects are linked together. It is like a worked exploration of how a clever card magician travels down an evolutionary path – with each effect representing a branch of the main stem – if you’ll allow me to mix my metaphors. And the ‘parent’ of all of these is an unpublished idea by Tomas Blomberg.

At this point, it must be made clear, that we are not really in the territory of pure ACAAN. The seed-idea from Blomberg was to involve a second card (and number) in the process – which is a more or less obvious subterfuge in the different presentations.

Three of the routines require a stacked deck – and some calculation work. If you are really a lover of our art, this shouldn’t put you off! All the routines require some sleight of hand – which is well explained in the text – and it is all within the scope of the majority of card magicians. I would hope that the sleights, and the ‘journey’ the book takes you on, would both lend power to your own creativity and stimulate further ideas on the theme.

The highlights

I don’t intend to do a blow-by-blow analysis of each effect in the book. If you want that kind of detail I would recommend the more erudite review by David Britland from Genii magazine.

For me, my favourite effect is Caan Kicker – where a spectator follows a series of instructions on a (provided) printed card to reveal a named card at a chosen number. The ‘move’ is justified by the routine and it all seems very fair. It even explains how to make your own version of the necessary card in case you lose the one provided!

All in all, a book to enjoy. I agree with David Britland that the pure ‘mentalist’ would prefer a more hands off approach than the one detailed. But Caan Craft will stimulate the card magician, and will probably provide you with a routine or two to enjoy.

I am not aware of any UK stockist yet – but you can purchase direct from Gordon Bean for $35 + $10 international shipping.

UPDATE 5/2/11 – Now available in the UK from Merchant of Magic – CAAN Craft by J.K. Hartman – £22.50

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Trick of the Month – Oct 2008

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:51:43 +0000

	I haven’t tried this yet, but I was so pleased with the Gordon Bean effect I was playing with last month that I thought this would probably be worth a look. Especially because it is currently reduced! Its a pretty much sleight-free and examinable 3 card monte type effect. £8.21 (reduced from £11.99)
	I’m currently working through another of Bannon’s books and love his style and creativity. Some of the effects require a certain proficiency with cards, but you will find lots to use and to stimulate other ideas in his work. Should be in everyone’s library. £29.99 update – now only £24.99 at Alakazam.
	For those of you who are newer to magic (though I have heard more experienced magicians speaking very highly of these), and/or who prefer learning via DVDs, this is a cheap DVD teaching some excellent and straightforward effects. The workings are simple so you can concentrate on the presentation. And you will learn a lot about that from watching Mr Dowden. Well worth a look. A second volume is also available. Only £14.99.

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Trick of the Month – Sep 2008

admin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:36:05 +0000

	I got this a couple of weeks ago and absolutely love it. It takes the premise of ‘Parade of the Kings’ and adds a decent plot and extra kickers. Basically the spectator nominates one of four cards which turns out to be the Queen he has previously (freely) chosen. Then all the other cards turn out to be jokers. A very powerful and entertaining effect and dead easy to do! Highly recommended. £14.99 (you may also be interested in this EXCELLENT ebook which contains loads of brilliant mental magic and includes an ungaffed version of Entourage – Mind Blasters – only £12.50 and you can download it instantly!.
	I have long been a fan of Phil Goldstein (aka Max Maven), even more so since reading his wonderful Prism book, and when I noticed that this little classic was reduced at the moment I thought I would bring it to your attention. A clever prediction in the shape of a ‘psychological reading’ and full of the subtleties you expect from the great man. And currently only £4.70 (less than half price).
	I’ve always loved the classic chop cup routine, ever since watching Paul Daniels perform it so well when I was a youngster. But I love the idea of this ‘Dice Chop Cup’ which seems to me to be a slightly more logical prop than a normal cup. £59.99.

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