Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Long Live By Taylor Swift

Any magician who knows me knows that one of my all-time favorite 'moves' is Brad Gordon's B'Lip. This month I'm reviewing the manuscript, Clever Eight, where this versatile move was originally published. Let's start with an overview. This manuscript contains 11 items ranging from a clever site gag, to an incredible utility moves that will become part of your tool box moments after you learn it.

Sprinkled throughout the book are many topical quotes from various sources that add a nice touch to the overall feel. You also get to know Brad a bit better as you read. He's a very clever guy, and it shows in this manuscript. To top it all off, at the end of most of the effects, he has a brief paragraph titled 'notes.' This is where the real gems are hidden. You will find variations, or implementation ideas. You'll find effects using playing cards, pens, dollar bills, stickers, and more.

Let's examine some of the effects:

• Two in the Hand & One Perfect Night
• Trans-Sticker
• 'Q' Aces
• Forgettable Prediction
• The B'Lip Move
• Clever Control
• Recover Drop Switch

Two in the Hand & One Perfect Night:

By the title, you've probably guessed the basic effect. Two in the hand, one in the pocket is, of course, a classic. You can do it with just about anything, anytime, anywhere. What magicians are always looking for is a good kicker ending. Much like the cups and balls, the routine is just a build up to the loads at the end. Brad has come up with a very clever ending to this plot using balled up dollar bills. Without revealing the 'secret,' let me just say that this is perfect for the romantic in you. It's a great inline for a date. However, the beauty of this 'kicker' is that it has huge potential for other applications.

Trans-Sticker:

In short, this is a traveling sticker effect. It travels from the back of one card to the back of the spectator's hand to the back of another selected card. You will probably notice that throughout this review, the world clever will be used quite a bit. How fitting, since the name of the manuscript is Clever Eight. That's the word of the day for this effect as well.

'Q' Aces:

A sweet Ace production. After reading this, I quickly picked up a deck to try it. It's just plain fun. I really like this effect, and the beauty is that you don't need a table. Also there is a move in the write up, that I didn't believe would work the way he said, but sure enough, it worked exactly as he said. It's now a part of my arsenal.

Forgettable Prediction:

Talk about commercial! This is just a downright killer effect. Trust me when I say that you will immediately add this to your act. When this manuscript was originally released back in 2002, this effect created quite a stir in the land o' magic. The audience is holding an envelope with a playing card as a prediction. They even look inside and see what the prediction is. Then the audience chooses a card, and it does NOT match the prediction that they are holding... or does it? They look in the envelope that they've been holding, and the card has changed. There's also a kicker ending that I'll save for you when you read. Also note that everything is examinable.

The B'Lip Move:

Ah... the paradox that is the B'Lip. This is a very clever (there's that word again) move. What's amazing about this move is that it can be used as anything from a color change, to a secret card switch, a flourish, a way to keep a double held together as you 'toss' it to the table... very, very cool stuff. If you have my DVD Stone Cold Magic, you'll notice that I use it in at least 3 or 4 different effects. Killer, killer...

Clever Control:

What can I say? This IS a clever control. As Brad mentions, it '...feels clever' when you do it. You very openly show the top few cards of the deck to 'prove' that the selected card is not there. You then, very openly, show the bottom few cards as well. In that display, the card is completely under your control on top of the deck. This is an extremely convincing display and quite a fooler.

Recover Drop Switch:

The first time I saw Brad do this, he fooled the heck out of me. It was that rare moment of Astonishment that working magicians rarely have the opportunity to experience. This is an excellent secret switch of a card. It can also be used as a color change that is so visual, you won't believe it. The illusion created by this move is that you toss a face up card onto the table, and in mid air before it lands (face up) on the table, it changes to a completely different card... very clever... :)

Final comments:

One thing that has really fascinated me as I've studied this, is that in many places in the manuscript, Brad has taken the simple magician's tool - a double lift - and brought it to new levels. In quite a few of his effects, he uses a double lift in some unorthodox ways that I think you will find interesting.

Here's the kicker . . . this book is no longer available. However, much of the material has been updated and added to Brad's book, Room 538.

Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!