mitchell_leary
2006-06-27 01:43:13 UTC
I just got my hands on a copy of the new Todd Karr book, ROY BENSON BY
STARLIGHT. $150.oo is a tad expensive for a book, but that's what
credit cards were made for...emergencies.
Before I read this book I didn't know too much about Roy Benson.
Besides being a top notch magician, the man was one hell of a comedian.
I believe his type of comedy would best be termed "absurdist". He
would do things like lay down on the stage and talk to the audience as
if he were a psychiatric patient being questioned by a doctor. While
reading this I couldn't help but think that old saying "many a truth
are said in jest". Society is full of lunatics who conceal it quite
well.
I didn't find Benson to be all that creative, instead he took standard
magical effects and honed them beyond perfection. This book has entire
chapters devoted to the linking rings, chinese rice bowls, ring on
stick, the salt pour gimmick, and many more. I found his work on
billiard ball manipulation to be the best I have ever read (or seen on
video/dvd). His one-handed 6-card repeat has to be the last word on
the subject.
I could go on and on about ROY BENSON BY STARLIGHT, and I haven't even
touched the chapters on Malini wherein he tips all of Malini's prized
effects (alone worth the price of the book).
If you want to read the professional reviews of this book you can find
them in the April 2006 issues of both Genii and Magic magazines.
All the magic dealers tell me Todd Karr is an asshole, but in the same
breath they also tell me he puts out the finest magic books in the
world. I agree on the later part whole-heartedly. Keep up the great
work Todd.
-Leary-
STARLIGHT. $150.oo is a tad expensive for a book, but that's what
credit cards were made for...emergencies.
Before I read this book I didn't know too much about Roy Benson.
Besides being a top notch magician, the man was one hell of a comedian.
I believe his type of comedy would best be termed "absurdist". He
would do things like lay down on the stage and talk to the audience as
if he were a psychiatric patient being questioned by a doctor. While
reading this I couldn't help but think that old saying "many a truth
are said in jest". Society is full of lunatics who conceal it quite
well.
I didn't find Benson to be all that creative, instead he took standard
magical effects and honed them beyond perfection. This book has entire
chapters devoted to the linking rings, chinese rice bowls, ring on
stick, the salt pour gimmick, and many more. I found his work on
billiard ball manipulation to be the best I have ever read (or seen on
video/dvd). His one-handed 6-card repeat has to be the last word on
the subject.
I could go on and on about ROY BENSON BY STARLIGHT, and I haven't even
touched the chapters on Malini wherein he tips all of Malini's prized
effects (alone worth the price of the book).
If you want to read the professional reviews of this book you can find
them in the April 2006 issues of both Genii and Magic magazines.
All the magic dealers tell me Todd Karr is an asshole, but in the same
breath they also tell me he puts out the finest magic books in the
world. I agree on the later part whole-heartedly. Keep up the great
work Todd.
-Leary-