Well, y’know, it’s been at least a week since I posted any Fall stuff here (!), so this is a special Saturday post.

The first track here was first heard on their second John Peel session, broadcast on December 6, 1978 (thirty years ago!!). ‘No Xmas For John Quays’ is a somewhat amusing gag (for goodness sake, say it out aloud), and the track was later recorded for their debut LP, Live At The Witch Trials. I present both versions for you here.

Fast forward, umm sixteen years, and yours truly is glued to John Peel, taping the shows when possible (and often struggling to stay awake until it’s over). The Christmas shows that year were great (why did I not keep them intact?!?!), and the Fall’s eighteenth Peel session, broadcast on December 17, 1994 contained covers of both ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ and ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing.’

In December 2003 they released a four track EP entitled ‘We Wish You A Protein Christmas.’ I always wanted to buy it, but as it was usually retailing for about a fiver, it seemed a lot for a new single. Now of course, I kick myself. Ah well…

The Fall -‘No Christmas For John Quays (Peel session 1978).’ mp3

The Fall -‘No Christmas For John Quays.’ mp3

The Fall -‘Jingle Bell Rock (Peel session 1994).’ mp3

The Fall -‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Peel session 1994).’ mp3

The Fall -‘(We Wish You) A Protein Christmas.’ mp3

Enjoy your weekend!

P.S. There are obviously loads of blogs out there doing Christmas related stuff, two of my favourites are I Correct Myself, I Mean All The Time and I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday. The latter is also written by Steve who writes my favourite mp3 blog of all, Teenage Kicks
. The I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday blog has been highlighted in the Guardian. Congratulations, Steve!