"Miracles: The Magic of James Swain" Volumes 1 Through 4 DVDs
by James Swain
Suggested Retail USD$34.95 each
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Miracles: The Magic of James Swain", a DVD set of four volumes, is James Swain at his best, which means than any card expert is going to absolutely giddy with the powerful, subtle, and, ultimately, completely commercial work found packed on these discs.

But then, I've always liked Swain's work. Like the man himself, the work is low-key, innocuous, completely self-assuming and devoid of flash... until the time comes when the magic hits and the climax is thrown so playfully in your face you realize that everything leading up to it was so innocent or laid back after all, that Swain coldly, calculatingly, brutally led you down the garden path from the start only to fry your brain whenever he saw fit.

That's always has been Swain's trademark: his magic is so clean and open, so straightforward, and apparently missing anything fishy that the climax just plows into spectators (and more than a few magicians). I'm pleased to find that all the routines carry that Swain Stamp of Subtlety, which earns a big thumbs up from me.

I won't go into each and every routine -- there's just way too many of them here to get into that kind of detail. And normally, I'd pick out my favorites but with Swain's work that becomes a herculean task; there's just too much great stuff here to fall in love with. So, in the interest of at least a little brevity, I'll just hit the highlights.

Volume 1 is subtitled "The Gambling Act" and, brother, is it ever. Swain says this act has been the cornerstone of his performances and it's easy to see why. Swain structured this one perfectly, building from a few flourishes before going into all the "explanations" of cheating techniques that ain't. You'll find all the typical gambling-demo fodder here, but with some absolutely mind-blowing work behind them. For completeness, Swain even included his "Cheating at Texas Hold 'Em" as an extra routine. If you're into gambling demos, you need this disc if for no other reason than to see the flow Swain has put together with the assorted routines. Chances are, though, you'll do much more with the material here than just watch.

Volume 2 has some more gambling bits on it (especially interesting is Swain's "Three Card Monte" and "Steve Forte's Poker Deal"), but also throws in "Perfect Triumph" (which, with some of the best displays and clean handlings around, plus the deck-order kicker, may just live up to its title), "Ultimate Interchange" (a weird packet transposition that's, in a word, gorgeous), and "How Fast?" (a card-to-cardbox routine that is just plain slick and, yes, is one of my favorites).

Volume 3 is where Swain begins to pull out all the stops. The "Cool Out Move" makes this one worth the price, along with the "Stop" trick Swain uses it in. But then again, there's a lot here that really makes this disc stand out. Take "Super Bowl Aces", which is an assembly with a difference look and feel and a Ortizian ending, or "Vanishing Aces", which is really one you have to see to believe. Swain even makes ye olde "Lie Detector" worth breaking out (as long as it's his version you're working with). 'Course I'd be remiss if I didn't mention just how good of a trick -- a packet trick, even -- "Captivating Cards", a changing-back routine, is and how it belongs in the hands of everyone who likes packet tricks.

Volume 4 is yet more simply excellent stuff. I love assemblies and Swain's "Psychic Aces" is a beautiful one with an "every card" display that makes this one miracle-class stuff. "Anastasia" is a real mind-blower of a "card-to-pocket" that sank me (and, evidently, Larry Jennings, so I'm in good company there). "5-7-10", touted as "Fred Kaps' lost miracle", is strange and offbeat but ultimately a quick, entertaining masterpiece. "Invisible Palm" is, likewise, a hit.

Oh, who am I kidding? I don't think there was a routine I watched on any of these discs that I didn't want to learn and start doing immediately. They are all top-notch, high-quality, always-commercial pieces of work. And they'll work with audiences besides the always receptive L&L spectators. Swain nailed me more times than almost any other performer I can think of and he did it so smoothly a couple of times I just let him keep nailing me as I watch the performance over and over again. That speaks volumes when it comes to card magic as far as I'm concerned; yeah, I was solidly and pleasantly hooked on Swain's material.

Then I got to the explanations and began to ease myself off the hook, which brings me to the big caveat when it comes to "Miracles".

The methods are not always easy. In fact, some of them are difficult, very, very difficult. We're talking pass-palm, riffle pass, stuff here and that's sometimes just the beginning (I won't even mention the flourishes Swain uses impeccably in some of this routines which really, really need to be done to make the routine feel complete). True enough, not all the material is all that hard (some of it is actually relatively simple -- a double turnover here, a false shuffle there, and you're pretty much done) but the majority of stuff (read that as some of the best stuff) will break your fingers.

And your brain.

See, a lot of the difficult sleights are just mentioned and done and that's it. "Count off three cards, hold a break, do a pass-palm, then..." On one hand, I can appreciate this because, for the card maniacs out there, it's annoying to have a sleight you know explained to you in detail (if I hear one more explanation of the Elmsley Count...) But on the other hand this is a perfect teaching opportunity with a perfect teacher. Swain, like most card guys, slightly alters those moves to make them work best for him and in those alterations is sometimes gold. Here, though, you won't get taught either the move or the alterations and that is a shame.

So if you're up on your more difficult sleights (or, at least, no where to look them up), then you're fine. If you're not, you're in for some frustration as you go through the material; I can almost guarantee that there's at least one piece you'll want to do and get left in the dust pretty quickly because of your limited knowledge. If you're like me, and wanted to see Swain's individual touches on things, you'll just shake your head and ask "why?"

And really that's the only caveat with "Miracles": you've got to have your chops down when it comes to the upper level of card work. If you're pretty much an expert, you're in for a blast with some simply excellent card magic that'll win your heart and freeze your audience's brains (and enjoy having it happen). This is an excellent collection that any experienced card worker will love and learn from.

"Miracles: The Magic of James Swain" Volumes 1 through 4 DVDs by James Swain
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Material: 8
Almost all cards (there is one card/coin effect and one chop cup routine), this material is, without exception, powerful, entertaining, and solidly commercial work. With a disappointing lack of explanation of some of the tougher moves (and a frustrating absence of some of Swain's excellent touches to those moves), this is one solidly for the more expert card worker and that worker will be thrilled with this set.

Practicality: 10
The vast majority of material needs nothing more than a deck of cards, the skills and the knowledge; this is imminently practical stuff here.

Quality of Production: 10
The production values here are perfect, as you'd expect from L&L. Even the transfer of the older video in volumes 3 and 4 look great.

Quality of Instruction: 8
Swain does an excellent job here, covering his routines beautifully. A real teaching experience was missed with the lack of detail on some sleights and variants, but the expert will have no problem picking up everything on these discs.

Presentation: 10
Swain's style -- laid back, deliberate -- is decidedly low-key until the magic hits. An unexpected flourish here, a climax that slowly sneaks up on you there, all add up to simply strong magic.



Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.