I arrived early and immediately met Mark Cunningham at the bar, and swiftly we were into heated discussion out New Order and my school alumnus Steve Morris. Carl's cheesecake demanded to be sampled which spoiled me for further comestibles - awesome Carl. Met Malc who I think was on his first mIngle and discussed the agony and ecstasy of cover band membership. Swift discussion with Mark Ellen who was as ever enthusiastic and charming, and as ever legging it off somewhere else. Gracefully accepted thanks from Katyg for giving her harmonica advice some months ago...(I had no recollection of so doing, but it comes back to me now) and chatted with Katy, Hannah and Drakeygirl - I mean, come on, I am but a weak man. Terrific animated discussion with Fortune 8 who shares my love for early 70s rock -minor rock acts - someone else who loves Nutz and saw, like me, saw numerous support slots by Pat Travers Band and George Hatcher Band. Ta for the SAHB and Johnny Winter DVDs F8. Joined by a mystified Rosbif who, we swiftly established, had never heard of Nutz. Ended the evening as it started, discussing who was the key musician in New Order with Ritchie B and Leedsboy. Hooky obviously. Settled on train to tease Bob about missing it. Fab night. Thanks all. See you in January.

I couldn't bear to do a singalong without you, so although I bought my uke, it went unplayed.

Was splendid to see everyone last night. Particularly our newbies Malc, Marmiteboy, Dai, Andrew and Nick Duvet (think that was everyone? apologies if I've forgotten anyone, I'm feeling a bit woozy this morning).

I am eating cake for breakfast. YEAH!

I promise!

Did I miss London, but I also missed the opportunity to have a pint with Underpants in Eastbourne.

January can't come quickly enough.

Waring and Hoey Tours are happy to take bookings for the (Magical) Liverpool Mystery Tour. Testimonials available from Messrs Drake and Claesson.

I felt right at home as soon as I walked in. Hannah greeted me warmly with a slice of her delish chocolate cake. Dogfaceboy went off to fetch the Bowie DVD he had prepared for me. I'm right into a conversation with fortuneight and Richie B. Fraser comes over for a chat about his fantastic experience at the RWC in NZ. I'm thinking to myself, of all the places I could be right now, this place is just right. Good chatting with JoLean, Drakeygirl, Jimmyshoes, Leedsboy, Malc, Doods, Rosbif, Carl, Retro and Specsbeard. I stayed til chucking out time and wandered off with my pockets stuffed full of goodies; plenty of new sounds for the trip back to NZ. Thanks everyone, see you next year I hope.

It was lovely. Straight in to conversation with Richie B, fortuneight, DFB, Drakey, jimmyshoes and Uncle Tom Cobbly and all.

Within 46.2 seconds I had a bag full gratefully received kit from DFB and fortuneight. And heartfelt thanks to all for the cd's and books. I'm the one who snaffled Peter Ackroyd's 'London', so thanks to the kind soul who brought that along.

Cake! Chcoclate Gnache. How clever of Hannah to realise I class gnache as one of my five a day. Utterly delicious. I was forced* to take a slice home for Mrs Beezer who has since necked it with a cup of tea and has declared it 'a thousand time better than your garbage, dear'.

A lovely convivial night amongst good, friendly, bright and funny people. As ever.

Again, I left early. Mrs Beezer hates that London at night after a little episode a while ago and frets if I'm out in it. She would never ever spoil my fun and say 'I'm worried! Come home!' but I know if I was to linger I'd come home to a litter of very weird looking kittens. So as a result I had my usual 90 second chat with Retro before making like a tree and leaving.

Great to see so many new faces even if my manners failed again and I didn't speak to them. Apologies to Joe and Specsbeard for whipping past with a brisk 'Hello! Bye!'

*was I bollocks.

A gentle day pootling home from Blackpool turned into still working at 9.30pm. See you in January I hope.

As my feverish displacement activity over on The Meaning Of Cliff will attest. We were home from the fireworks by 8:30, but I couldn't have got to Fitzrovia before 10, so although I toyed with the idea, I didn't, er, follow through.

Next time.

Loads of fascinating conversation, loot (ta to Dog Faced Boy, Rosbif, Leedsboy, and Doods for compilations which I'm now working my way through - clearly all have taken the mixtape degree, with food a major theme). Speaking of food - cake! Loads of it and all creditably fine.

Fascinating chat with Messrs Ellen and Hepworth about Dr Hook, samplers and the chilling presence of parents when trying to absorb the delights of 'Top of the Pops' in one's formative years. Struggled to recall some of the contents of a CBS sampler I invested in during the 70s called 'The Music People'. Found the attached link - I didn't realise they issued a UK version that differed a bit from the US one. http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=14955

Appreciated an appetite-whetting sneak preview of the cover of the next issue of The Word featuring the still gorgeous and highly talented Kate Bush (I can't wait).

The pub is a good venue and having a room to ourselves is a great idea. Thanks again to Hannah for everything! Now I need more coffee as 'Monkey Hips & Rice' by The Five Royales spreads joy through my speakers. You're the man Doods!

It was great to meet Rocker43, Ritchie B, Marmite, Mondo, Doods, Uncle Monty, Carl and Mark for the first time and the briefest of hellos to Joe. Came back with some great CD's and DVD's thanks to Beezer, DogFacedBoy and Twang. Fairly certain I owe Twang and Martin Simmonds a beer (next time chaps). And there were still several people I didn't get to speak to. The time just flies. Had to bunk off at 10pm - amazingly I was home and tucked up in bed by midnight.

As ever a big thank you to Hannah for doing the organising. Hopefully see some of you at the Thames Valley Mingle next month.

I consoled myself by watching a voyeuristic docu-thing on that arch-narcissist, Kurt Cobain.

Will see you all in January.

I had a ruddy marvellous time.

In fact, I didn't even make it to the back half of the room; every time I advanced I ended up talking to different people. This means I didn't even get to the food and music table. Luckily, Hannah came to the rescue with the filthiest, most gorgeous cake I've had in a long, long time. Mmmm, cake...

Lots of catching up, lots of faces old and new, lots of beer and lots of conversation about what a monumental bell-end Olly Murs is - what more could you ask for from a night out?

Vorgs, you were very much missed. Looking forward to seeing people in January.

After feverish Tweet conversations with Drakey Mondo and me arrived at the venue early (for a sharpener) before festivities commenced.

It was my first adventure into Mingle Land and Drakey immediately made me feel at home with tales of waking up in Peterborough, lost iPhones and expensive cab rides home.

Great to chat to Uncle Monty, JoLean, Hannah, KatyG (also part of the sub group 'Podrophenia Massive') fortuneeight, Baskerville Old Face, Rosbif, Messers Ellen and Hepworth and the discovery that Retroman and Mondo once shared a girlfriend (not at the same time I hasten to add) was spooky.

I know there were other people I spoke to (probably at length) so I am sorry if I haven't named checked you.

Finally thanks for the booty. I came away laden with compilations of great music and I am listening to Doods 'A Hasty Tasty Stew' as I type.

Thanks finally to Hannah for organising it all. Looking forward to my next Mingle already.

hope I wasn't inadvertently rude to anyone and that everyones DVDs n Cds I made up play ok. LMK if there are any screw ups.

To everyone I talked to, you were a gent\sweetheart and to those I didn't get chance to, let's catch up in Reading \ London\ Liverpool.

Thanks as ever to Hannah for organising things and the locely cake in my honour. My tummy is telling me that I enjoyed it a little too much today

Glad everyone had a great time. There are many advantages of living in Cornwall but the possibility of a Word Mingle is not one of them, hence the envy. Unless you count the sheep.

Top night: great company, cakes and comps...so good I even balanced a pint on my head..

Great to finally meet Pods People Jo, Katy and Drakey, Hannah ( I know we've hooked up previously, but it's always a treat). Retro Steve and everyone else's name I've forgotten

Some stash is being readied for the next mingle

Great venue, great crowd, great beer. Lousy pasty at Liverpool street.

Had to leave around 9:30 so missed meeting a few people this time round.

looking forward to next time

My first in London, so many thanks for the warm welcome - Hannah in particular, it's a great venue. Had a chat with Twang and Carl, and will need to investigate Kim Richey. Turns out jimmyshoes used to live a street away from where my brother lives now, and he tried a single malt with an unusual hint of vomit. Compared notes on the George Harrison biopic, complicated by the fact that he's seen only the 1st half and I've seen only the 2nd half. What else...discussions of virtual bands with specs_beard, the Decemberists gig with Jo, and various other stuff with nick duvet, mike_h, rosbif, katy, drakeygirl, richie and I'm bound to have forgotten some names. Apologies to anyone I didn't get round to, but at least I'll see the usual TV massive on the 16th.

Also spoke briefly to some bloke in a blue shirt with a raucous laugh. Who was that?

Carl Parker was very proud of his Green On Red shirt, signed by Dan Stuart and Chuck Prophet, which he got from Massive member carabara's recent giveaway thread:

And here's a pic of Leedsboy (who is a very naughty boy), with some heavenly light illuminating his shirt:

saw me represented in lamp form, as I couldn't be there. So this time, after a few sherberts, I felt the need to re-enact the lamp representation in person.

after getting up late (more due to a tiring week than effects of alcohol) so I've only just got round to looking at this.

Yes Vorgs, we missed you. Steve Turner, where were you - I had the Whiskeytown boots for you?

Lots of good conversation, as ever. Apparently the lack of Scandinavian prog is a major gap in my life that I'll try to fill.

Thanks to DFB for the Bunnymen DVD and everyone else whose goodies I grabbed. Sticks I was most impressed with your cinema marquee pic on your CD.

Till January, take care y'all.

1. Another entertaining evening of chatter, natter and banter and I finally met Mr Hepworth, albeit briefly.

2. The recording I got of Led Zeppelin's studio rehearsals for the 2007 O2 gig. Jimmy's solo on "No Quarter". Christ almighty!

http://theultimatebootlegexperience2.blogspot.com/2011/10/led-zeppelin-2...

oh and Paul Duvet - here's the "faders on full" version of Dark Side boot I was yabbering on about

http://bigozine2.com/roio/?p=176

I can't help but think that these mingles get better and better.

Firstly - thanks to Hannah for the organising and to the providers of CD's I managed to grab - Doods, DogFaced Boy (I'm looking forward tot he Baldhead Growler track), Beezer, Richie B and Rosbif's.

It was nice to catch up with Fraser (and I am looking forward to the new issue - I know who's on the cover!!!) and have a chat about Fleet with Mr Ellen.

Richie B and Twang - did I really say that I thought Stephen Morris was a good drummer? I think I meant effective. At least I dindn't slag of Pink Floyd this time...ah!

How I enjoyed defacing the Fiona Phillips book with the lovely Drakeygirl and Beezer. Our bits stood out as less amateur I think (they were also in biro).

Mr Duvet, Retro, Jimmy (sorry to go on about Mr Page all night) and the others I do not have the mental capacity to recall names of, you are all fine people and you make a room come to life.

See you at the next one.

See y'all at the next one. I think everyone up there ^^^^ has gone through the salient points of conversation-and whoever brought a Very Peculiar Practice DVD-thanks. Can't remember who took the Astral Weeks CD but at least I got rid of it. Best album ever? Blimey. Tommy Cooper fronting a jazz band who have never met before, more like....
Thanks again to Hannah without whom we would just be asteroids floating in an uncomprehending void of mediocrity.
I was fucked yesterday, mind.

Been trawling through the plethora of Mingle Compilations I picked up on Friday. Always great to hear new music.

I have so fr enjoyed the general filth of Drakey's, the laid back chilled out choons from Rosbif (especially the McAlmont/Nyman track), Doods' Stew and Stick's Licks.

I am please to see a Massive affection for the mighty Morphine. Now there was a band.

I had a great time! Didn't get to talk to as many people as I might like and had to dash to the airport.

Thanks to Hannah for the amazing welcome, also thanks to all who left CDs that I gleefully grabbed, 2 from DogFacedBoy, 1 from Doods and an Echo and the Bunnymen German broadcast from 1983. I am hopeless with real names and can't remember who I talked to. Name tags would help us first timers :-)

Can think of no better stopover between Zurich and Toronto. Hope to do it again sometime.

Fortune Eight and I had a good time trying to sell Johnny Winter to avowed "blues cliché fret wank" lover Rosbif. Here's the White Trash live version of "Rock n roll hoochie coo" with Johnny guesting that we were banging on about. Fabulously deranged guitar solo at 2.30.

Context for newbies - Johnny had been in rehab for a year, hence Edgar's opening remarks.

PS DVD is awesome F8, ta muchly

And will probably miss the next one too - at least until the next user names amnesty when I can choose something less embarrassing.

Lenny Law talked a while back about a South Coast mingle. Any progress Lenny?

I came away from the mingle on Friday night with some high-quality swag - four CD compilations to set me up for long car journeys at the weekend - but I haven't got past the first one: Stick's Licks. The excellent Stick has made an a-la-carte playlist - Starters (eg Memphis Soul Stew by King Curtis), Mains (like Egg And Sausage by Tom Waits), Side Dishes (French Fries With Pepper by Morphine), Desserts (Sugar Rum Cherry by Duke Ellington), Spirits (In Heaven/Lady In The Radiator by David Lynch) etc. There's even a Gratuity at the end (Shallows Of Love by Hannah with a vocal by Stick himself). Stick is to be congratulated on this mile-melter. I'd forgotten how good Richard Thompson's Al Bowlly's In Heaven was - also cunningly filed in the spirits section.

That was another fine mingle you got me into. As always, one of the great pleasures was the combination of catching up with The Usual Suspects and getting to know those Massivistas I've not met before, and will hopefully meet again before too long.

I've pocketed more swag, and promise I will get some of them into my iphone soon, otherwise I'll never get around to listening to them all. Mind you, I can tell just from looking at the track listings that I'm going to enjoy them - to pick out but one, Sammy Davis Jr's You Can Count On Me (sung to the theme from Hawaii 5-0!), on DogFacedBoy's CD, is a choon I haven't heard in ages, and which is even better than it sounds. And it's about the only song on that CD I've actually heard...

I was reading some articles earlier about the vile, unhinged, misogynist abuse that crops up in the comments sections on a lot of blogs, and it threw the utter excellence of the Word blog and the folk who frequent it into even sharper relief.

was killing time in Flashback Records in Islington before the mingle and at the very front of the new arrivals 7" section was 'You Never Heard Anything like It" by the Freshmen which was the title and lead track on one of my comps I dumped on the mingle on Friday.

I had to rip the track off Youtube for my comp as I'd never seen a copy, its not on i-tunes and then there is was.

It was 15 quid mind so they can keep it

For anyone with a copy of my non food\God Mingle comp the 12th track is 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore' by John Egdell. Fucked up the cover