talkmagic.co.uk

Site: http://store.dananddave.com/avenue.html
Price: 35$

I've been reading Dorian's post on online forums for a good while and knowing that he hangs out Ron Baur, Paul Chosse, Steve Youell, and Larry Jennings. Couldn't wait to get it, lets see whats inside. These are my thoughts on the subject.

I imagined new plots, new clever concepts, and advanced cardwork. This isn't the case here.

The effects are good. The focus seems to be on a aces/kings transpo, which you get 3 versions, one which is FASDIU. Good handling, see the plot, good chances you might imagine the method, though even if you do, the handling here is very streamlined to the bones and well-worth you're attention.

There is an Inversion routine ( AFI=Another F****** Inversion ) which I wonder why its included, as it adds absolutly nothing to the current variations, with a below average method ( gimmicked card+unneeded lines) its diffcult to see anyone performing this even to their magic buddies, although the common gaff makes for a clean first phase, the sleights used will probably get you caught, unless you can do the moves well, and if you do, you probably already have a favorite Inversion routine = you'll skip this.

The highlight for me was Joyride, a STROLLING version of L.Jenning's Visitor, while it has its bad moments and its not as effective as L.Jennings original ( Packets isolation ), but if you keep in mind that you're not using any table or surface of any kind, this is just as good as it look. This is good. I worked on this area and seeing another magi's work on this is certainly a treat.

Another favorite is Recon, a version of Everywhere and Nowhere, one selection with no dups, and is very suitable for strolling close up. Yet another thing I worked on for awhile and had something very similar,but the method here is very streamlined. You wont find it earth shattering but it works for the real world.

Sidetracked is a direct transpo between 4 of kind and 3 selections. Streamlined handling. Simple, good method.

Finderskeepers is yet another sandwhich trick that ends up with production of the mates collectors style. I predict this and AFI will be the least used tricks, the finale might take in your magic buddies.

There are 3 moves taught sepertatly, a Guy Hollingworth-style pass ( which is used alot in the tricks above ), a "Mexican Monte" move which is a half-ascanio done in an Pinch-grip-style counting ( Elmsly count style ) which I find pretty intresting, and the Pugh's pass which is explained well.

Other sleights explained on the fly include the spread passs, turnover pass and a common J.K Hartman move. Dorian does the Ron Baur double turnover ( no refrence ), which is joy to watch.

You won't find elaborate, theatrical presentations here.

If you're looking for a FASDIU Everywhere and Nowhere, Visitor or multiple card tranpos, you'll be very intrested in this DVD. While the methods aren't earth shattering-clever as some magicians like them to be, and while there is no dramatic improvment on the looks of the effects or exciting new plots, they work very well for laymen. The highlight of the DVD is this: Dorian succeeds at creating extremely practical, extremely streamlined handlings that will find its way easily into any workers repoitire (spelling..). This is not your magic club stuff, this is workers stuff, magic for the real world. This helped me with 3 problems I had: 1)Strolling Visitor. 2) Signed card, strolling Everywhere and Nowhere 3) Strolling transpo ( Sidetracked)

Oh yeah, everything is in range of intermediate card handlers.

Recommended.

Good review!

For those who are interested to buy: Remember that almost every effect uses the Pughes Pass (or a Cardini Change or an Ego change...a slight variation in the end). I believe Dan & Dave fans would eat this up. Young magicians who prefer very visual magic would love this as well (I think I'm just referring to one group )

I agree that some of the effects are hard to do in the real world, but I wouldn't mind doing Finders Keepers...it's hard to do "walk-around" with this though. Grease Lightning and all it's versions are quite smart.

Again, Dorian's work are very visual and you might feel that this is part of D&D's trilogy. Nevertheless, it's a good buy!