"Audio" DVD by Eric Jones
Suggested Retail USD$20.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"Audio", a DVD by Eric Jones, is a rare thing: a piece of coin magic that stuns an audience to silence or screams because of some simple routining and the addition of an equally rare element to magic in the form of a simple sound.

That's what you're getting here, something just unique enough to floor people. Oh, sure, you and I are used to simply making coins travel from one place to another (and all the while without yawning, mind you), but spectators, bless them, still find such things mildly interesting.

Then along comes Eric Jones with a beautifully structured routine. One by one, four coins are made invisible, tossed into the air, and land in the performer's pocket with a nice, clear, audible "clink". And, boy, how the audiences reacted.

Now I'm not much of a coin guy, really. I think I'm what you'd call "passable" with those little discs. I am to coin magic what T. Nelson Downs was to brain surgery: I can get started and I can finish, but the stuff in the middle kinda throws me.

But when I did "Audio" that first time, I knew this was a winner. The spectator's cocked head, the slackened jaw, the wide eyes... Add all those together and it means this one is a keeper.

Okay, so let's get to the details.

This is not, much to my pleasure, a knuckle-busting routine. There's not even a classic palm in sight here (thankfully for those of us born to duck-foot our way through life). That's not to say this is self-working; it's far from it. You'll need a good sense of timing for this one, as well as be able to do a few basic coin sleights. But none of it is beyond the capacity for anyone of average skill when it comes to coins: if you can finger palm, make a false transfer or pass here or there, then you're skilled enough for this one.

Since this is "sleight-based", you don't have to worry about gimmicks or gaffs, extra coins, reels, or any of that other stuff we are so fond of using at times. This means that you could conceivably borrow four like coins and get going with "Audio" at a moment's notice. I say "conceivably" because, while I found coins smaller than halves to be problematic, other folks may not (and I know that if I say "any coins could be used", someone will tell me that it doesn't work with US dimes).

One caveat here: what sells this is the sound, the "clink". If you're working in environments where that sound is not going to be heard, say noisy restaurants or loud bars, you're going to lose easily half of the impact of this one. So take your surroundings into account when you consider buying "Audio".

My take on "Audio": Jones has created a wonderful piece of work here, one that many folks who don't consider themselves coin-workers will love doing. For audiences, it's a simply stunning piece of magic which knocks them for a loop.

"Audio" DVD by Eric Jones
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
It's a coin-to-pocket routine with that much-needed dimension so often overlooked: sound. As the coins travel, you can hear the audible clink as it arrives. This makes this powerful stuff. As to the routine, it's not that hard, surprisingly, and is just plain gorgeous.

Practicality: 10
You'll need the coins and the pants. After that, you're pretty much done. You'll want to watch your angles but you'll need that warning for most coin work. All in all, this is very practical stuff.

Quality of Production: 10
The production quality is excellent here, with some great camera and mike work.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Jones is a wonderful teacher. He covers all the bases here, touching on every move and subtlety. You'll have no problem learning his routine.

Presentation: 10
It's amazing what a little clink can do to an old, old routine. But it does. And it makes all the difference in the world for this effect.


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.