The most influential dvd set ever released...

[TeeDee]

I think one example of silly looking would be the S.W.E. Shift... I mean seriously... It's tough, looks awkward... Just do a pass... No need for that...

I think it does have an application. It allows for an apparently very open grip (more so than the classic or Hermann pass), and can be very disarming if performed as a squaring action after a selection is returned to the top of the lower half.

And Randy, I think you're slightly misunderstanding what Prae said. I think he was using "James" and "Erdnase" as shorthand for "James' work" and "Erdnase's work".

 

[UnknownMagician93]

Given what his Charlier looked like, I wonder if he could even do the 1 Handed Erdnase Shift.

Thats why they had simon lovell do it on the dvd. He blew at it too.

But honestly guys, I gotta admit, i bought this when i first started magic. Luckily i got it at bargain price. MM sells it for 100$


I will film all of wesleys "performaces" of the moves so you guys can see them.

 

[TeeDee]

Since this thread was posted, I've rewatched some of the DVDs. And, to be honest, it's not all completely useless. Yes, it was way overpriced when it was released, but now that the price has come down, I think it might just about be worth the investment for the Erdnase student. There's some details about the generally accepted mistakes in the book, and some crediting information, which aren't on the Ackerman set. And, because of the Lovell/James dialogue, fatuous though it is in places, you do get small nuggets of insight scattered here and there. Lest we forget, Wesley James studied with Vernon, and Lovell studied with Fred Robinson, so they do have some knowledge.

They still can't Charlier though.

 

[CaseyRudd]

Since this thread was posted, I've rewatched some of the DVDs. And, to be honest, it's not all completely useless. Yes, it was way overpriced when it was released, but now that the price has come down, I think it might just about be worth the investment for the Erdnase student. There's some details about the generally accepted mistakes in the book, and some crediting information, which aren't on the Ackerman set. And, because of the Lovell/James dialogue, fatuous though it is in places, you do get small nuggets of insight scattered here and there. Lest we forget, Wesley James studied with Vernon, and Lovell studied with Fred Robinson, so they do have some knowledge.

They still can't Charlier though.

If he studied with Vernon he should atleast be good with cards. You have to admit, James just blows. I'm surprised Vernon let him study with him! Oh well, the Vernon touch never rubbed off on that grasshopper.

 

[descartes]

Thats why they had simon lovell do it on the dvd. He blew at it too.

But honestly guys, I gotta admit, i bought this when i first started magic. Luckily i got it at bargain price. MM sells it for 100$


I will film all of wesleys "performaces" of the moves so you guys can see them.

I have an honest question. Are you the guy who writes the "Phantom Notebooks" blog? or do you know the guy who does?

In case anyone else is wondering who or what I am talking about, there is this guy who calls himself the smiling mule who wrote the most scathing review of the Wesley James DVD set. I haven't read his original review but I think it would be worth reading. The guy has some strong opinions, but he seems to be an erdnase enthusiast and his opinions make for interesting reading.

 

[descartes]

If he studied with Vernon he should atleast be good with cards. You have to admit, James just blows. I'm surprised Vernon let him study with him! Oh well, the Vernon touch never rubbed off on that grasshopper.

Yeah, it is surprising that a Vernon student could mess things up this much. Does anyone know if Wesley James suffered from something debilitating like arthritis or a stroke or something? It just doesn't add up otherwise.

 

[Andy.Boss.Glass]

Its sad that this is the top thread.

 

[saborfang17]

Its sad that this is the top thread.

Yep, and you just helped bump it back up. I honestly wonder why it's on the top? Can't be useless posts like that bumping it up...

 

[Andy.Boss.Glass]

Very clever.

word.

 

[TeeDee]

Yeah, it is surprising that a Vernon student could mess things up this much. Does anyone know if Wesley James suffered from something debilitating like arthritis or a stroke or something? It just doesn't add up otherwise.

Knowing the usual (lack of) quality of Magic Makers products, I gave James the benefit of the doubt for a while thinking that maybe he'd been let down by editing, being made to rush through performances, or something of that sort, but he defends the DVD set on page 5 of this thread:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=209005&forum=2&start=120

So, it's hard to have any sympathy for him. I would say, though, it's pretty widely acknowledged that he is a top-class card guy. I just think he maybe isn't as much of an expert on Erdnase as he thinks he is.