Close Up Guidance

[Chaseman27]

Well, I want to add some new close up material into my act and also want to build my library. I need a little guidance on what contains the hardest hitting material for a close up setting, and which I will get the most mileage out of. I mainly perform cards and coins, if that proves essential.

Here is what my options are:
Art of Astonishment 1
Art of Astonishment 2
Art of Astonishment 3
or Art of Astonishment 1-3
Totally Out of Control
Card Fictions by Pit Harling
Approaching Magic

I can do combos of anything also (ie: AoA 1 with Card Fictions)

Thanks in advance guys, I appreciate any advice and am open to other recommendations!
All the best,
-Chase

 

[joshrobarts]

Well, I want to add some new close up material into my act and also want to build my library. I need a little guidance on what contains the hardest hitting material for a close up setting, and which I will get the most mileage out of. I mainly perform cards and coins, if that proves essential.

Here is what my options are:
Art of Astonishment 1
Art of Astonishment 2
Art of Astonishment 3
or Art of Astonishment 1-3
Totally Out of Control
Card Fictions by Pit Harling
Approaching Magic

I can do combos of anything also (ie: AoA 1 with Card Fictions)

Thanks in advance guys, I appreciate any advice and am open to other recommendations!
All the best,
-Chase

highly highly HIGHLY recommend Totally Out of Control, especially since it is well rounded with coin magic, card magic and some other random effects that are all practical and amazing and hit hard. Art of Astonishment is great, all 3 but i myself using more from TOOC. I would wait and buy AoA 1-3 together at a later date and stick with TOOC. Also look into The Classic Magic of Larry Jennings or Williamson Wonders.

 

[praetoritevong]

You have to remember that it's not the effects that make it hard hitting, it's YOU as a performer. When you get to this level of magic, looking at AoA, TOoC, etc., they ALL contain good magic, but it's always you you you that gets the reactions.

That said, both Card Fictions and Approaching Magic contain a lot of very interesting, diverse and clever magic. Anything you mentioned would be good - TOoC is solid and AoA is considered amongst the best investments a magician can make. So really, personally, I'd go with Card Fictions and Approaching Magic simply to be slightly off the path, but that's just me.

 

[Chaseman27]

Thanks for the responces! I completely and whole-heartedly agree with what you are saying about perfromances. I guess I should be a little more specific with my question. I want simple effects (no "Magicians Foolers") that spectators can understand, appreciate, and fully enjoy.

Hope that helps, and thanks again!
-Chase