784: Jamy Ian Swiss - The Conjuror's Conjuror

Jamy Ian Swiss is the author of five books and co-author of two other books and consultant or contributor to at least eight other books and magazines, frequent performer at the Magic Castle, co-producer of Monday Night Magic, historian, lecturer, teacher, consultant, Senior Fellow of the James Randi Educational Foundation, skeptic, and an expert on the intersection of science, magic, and skepticism. He has frequently appeared on television talk and news shows including all the networks with occasional appearances in movies and documentaries.

This discussion was recorded in the Magic Castle when we worked together there in March 2023. In our conversation, Jamy covers the gamut of magic from those who have influenced his life to an esoteric discussion of equivoque and the power of magic has on our audience and a deep dive into a theoretical talk about magic. Nearly everyone who is anyone in magic had their name dropped in this week’s chat by someone who intimately knew them all quite well. Jamy truly is the conjuror’s conjuror.

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741: Steve Aldrich - A Long Strange Trip

This episode is dedicated to those who remember the past and for those who want to learn more about our rich history. This week we travel back in time in our Grateful Dead VW bus and visit with magician and co-founder of the Foan Family Circus, Steve Aldrich. It was a simpler time when magicians were experimenting with new presentations and popular music of the time. It was at the height of Doug Henning’s popularity who was considered by some as a “Hippie Magician”.

Steve Aldrich also performed magic at the famed Tower Bar in Snowmass at a time when Doc Eason was still a waiter Steve and his band of merry men (and a woman) surprised and entertained magicians with their “tongue in cheek” original presentations of their “Foan Family Circus” at many magic conventions during the late 1970’s to early 1980’s. So what happened to the group? That and more will be the topic of discussion in this week’s episode.

If you are more of a visual person, then you will enjoy this video of our conversation recorded via Zoom.

Steve talks this week about the formation of the Foan Family Circus, their original presentations and music, their performances at magic conventions (one of which won them the Senator Crandall Comedy Award at Abbott’s Get Together), plus the origins of magic at the Tower Bar starting with Bob Sheets then passed down to Steve Aldrich and Steve Spill.

392: Martin Lewis - A Study In Experience

Martin Lewis is an enigma and a most creative genius. His creations are integral parts of many professional magicians including David Copperfield and many others.

Here is a live performance of Martin Lewis' "Cardiographic" effect. The kid he was doing the trick for accidentally flashes her card to me. Martin says, "I wish it were always that easy :)"

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:01:54 - Martin talks about Earthquake Magoon's in San Francisco, California where a cache of Carter the Great paper was found; his late father, Eric Lewis; Harry Corbett and his puppet, "Sooty"; his inspiration that launched his career; dealing with nerves before a show; the importance of listening to your audience; the development of his "Cardiographic" Rising Card effect; how he envisions creativity; impromptu magic tricks;

00:49:41 - Product Review: "Quantum Angel" by Paul Harris and Bro Gilbert which is an improvement on Paul's "Cardian Angel" where an angel on the Bicycle card animates as you flip through the cards and a miniature envelope is revealed that contains a secret message. Recommended.

00:54:19 - Product Review: "Trojan Horse" by Steven Himmel is a DVD that contains four routines for using the card gimmick plus instructions on how to make additional gimmicks. Basically, this is a "Sandwich Card" effect where the card can disappear or transpose to another colored card or even a coin. Recommended.

00:56:34 - Product Review: "Screen Test - Pocket Edition" by Steve Dimmer is a mentalism effect where you correctly divine the name of a freely selected movie from a random group of movie poster cards. This is the pocket version of the larger, postcard sized effect. I use it and like it. Recommended.

"Proof Positive" is the effect referred to in this podcast as Martin's "go to" impromptu trick. During our discussion, he couldn't remember the name of the creator, but it was David Parr. This effect is available in David's web store: http://www.davidparr.com/store/

Click on the link above to visit the website for Wonder Imagery who sells customized "Bandana Silks" by special order. You will have to send an email or PM to Tim Sonefelt to request pricing and sizes for this special order.

784: Jamy Ian Swiss - The Conjuror's Conjuror

741: Steve Aldrich - A Long Strange Trip

392: Martin Lewis - A Study In Experience

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