Sleight of hand

Sleight of hand (also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain) is hand methods and finger techniques used by performing artists in many art forms to entertain or manipulate. It is closely associated with close-up magic, card cheating, card flourishing and stealing.

Because of its heavy use and practice by magicians, sleight of hand is often confused as a branch of magic, but is in reality a separate genre of entertainment, as many artists practice sleight of hand without the slightest interest in magic.

Sleight of hand pioneers with worldwide acclaim include Dan and Dave, Ricky Jay, David Blaine, David Copperfield, Yann Frisch, Dai Vernon and Tony Slydini.

Etymology and history

The word sleight, meaning "the use of dexterity or cunning, especially so as to deceive", comes from the Old Norse. The phrase sleight of hand means "quick fingers" or "trickster fingers". Common synonyms from the latin alphabet include prestidigitation and legerdemain.Seneca the Younger, philosopher of the Silver Age of Latin literature, famously compared rhetoric techniques and illusionist techniques.

Sleight of Hand (album)

Sleight of Hand is an album by the British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading. It was her tenth studio album and was recorded and produced by Armatrading at Bumpkin Studio, her own purpose built studio in the grounds of her home. The album was released on 12 May 1986 by A&M Records.

Background

Armatrading began work on the album in November 1985, following the release of her ninth studio album Secret Secrets in February of that year. She had planned for some time to produce her own albums and had gradually assumed control of many aspects of recording and production. However, when approaching the project of producing her very first album, she was nervous about the possibility of her record label, A&M, refusing to release the album (A&M had initially refused to release her eighth studio album The Key on the grounds that it was not commercial enough, and had asked Armatrading to write some additional, more commercial material).

To deal with this possibility, Armatrading decided to have a dry run, and record and produce samples that would eventually become Sleight of Hand. To do this, she asked bass guitarist Steve Greetham and keyboardist Alex White, who toured with her following the release of Secret Secrets, to come to her studio and record songs for her new album. This was unusual for Armatrading as she normally kept her studio and touring bands separate, using different musicians – on this occasion she wanted musicians around her that she knew and felt comfortable with, and who would be supportive during her first attempt at production. They drafted in drummer Geoff Dugmore with the plan that the three musicians, plus Armatrading playing all guitars, would record some songs – with Armatrading also producing, to see how it went. Steve Greetham noted at the time that it was "very unusual" for Armatrading to ask members of her touring band to record with her, but said he and Alex White "were very pleased to be able to do it."

Pet Rock (album)

Pet Rock is the second and final album from The Sinceros a new wave and power pop band from England. The album was released worldwide and achieved moderate commercial success. The album has been released on CD by Wounded Bird. Originally intended to be released under the title 2nd Debut in 1980, the album reached the test pressing stage but was recalled by Epic Records and reworked into Pet Rock under the guidance of producer Gus Dudgeon.

Track listing