Welcome to the Take Two Collection.
This collection houses seventy-two articles, written by Jamy Ian Swiss from 2016 to 2020. The articles examine the specific forms, or individual styles of magic and magicians, using two or more curatorial choices of magic videos to illustrate.
There is no right or wrong way to approach the articles. Here, you can visit the collection in reverse chronology starting with the oldest post first. Alternatively, you may find our Numeric Index, which lists each Take Two in its original order, of interest. If you prefer, you can visit the Alphabetical Index to find posts by subject.
Join Jamy Ian Swiss as he casts a look back at the work of Larry Jennings, a technical innovator with “monster chops,” and an amateur magician who left a substantial impact on the world of sleight-of-hand magic.
The cheerful ironic distance, the stellar sleight of hand, the palpable intellect behind the sesquipedalian banter... Jamy Ian Swiss pays tribute to magic legend Ricky Jay.
Jamy Ian Swiss looks back at his early influences in magic: visiting Tannen’s, joining the famous Saturday-afternoon crowd at Governor's, and watching and learning from one of the chief-holders-of-court ... Harry Lorayne.
In this Take Two, Jamy Ian Swiss remembers the legendary Pat Page: a classic sleight-of-hand performer with sharp and funny banter packed in an outsized, charming and memorable character.
Jamy Ian Swiss remembers a true master of cabaret magic, Paul Potassy, in this week’s Take Two. If you didn’t know Potassy, you need to read this post. If you did know him, enjoy Jamy’s wonderful reflection of a fine gentleman and great magician.
With the release of the second printing of The Magic of Johnny Thompson, Jamy Ian Swiss takes a close look at five of the master’s choicest classic routines in the latest Take Two.
On July 2nd, 2018, magic lost one of its favorite sons. The professional magician, Brian Gillis, passed away from complications due to open heart surgery, the result of a major heart attack suffered two weeks prior. He was 71 years old.
Silvan’s performing record as a “general practitioner” reflects a tremendously accomplished career, including as the author of a dozen books for both magicians and the public, not to mention the sale of more than a million magic kits for beginners.
What accounts for the longevity of this classic? A recent survey has been touted that suggests that the public supposedly dislikes the classics of magic. The results of this survey mean, well, absolutely nothing to me, because the survey simply measures participants’ preconceived notions about magic.
