Saturday Morning Flavor

Saturday Morning Flavor is was a globally spiced music discovery radio show. Stories + songs for the best part of the week.

Spring 2024: that’s all folks: Spotify has cancelled its “Music + Talk” format; this had allowed DJs to drop licensed, full-length tracks into podcasts. And that’s what made this show possible. So I’ll be back with something else. Meantime, all show archives are available for listening anytime. — Noel Franus

  • 07: Hello, I Love You, I Think You Should Leave

    What song changed your relationship with someone? Here’s five of your stories about love, loss, and reclamation. Plus Saturday morning music discovery.

    Anchoring the episode: we dive deep with Grace Yeoh from Singapore on how one song changed everything for her — and how she reclaimed her perspective after a rough patch. Go Grace!

    Also: sweet stories from Jeffrey Pickering, Dan Nelson, Sasha Verhage, and Keith Franus. Go fellas!

    New Q: what’s a song that makes you instantly feel younger or older? Let’s hear from you for the next episode.

    Music: De La Soul, Gorillaz, John Wizards, Amerie, Clap! Clap!, Pixies, Ela Minus, Populos, Kirsty MacColl, Prince…and way more.

    Plus: new formats/shows! Coming soon. 

    Dig the show? Tell a friend. Stories and requests: saturdaymorningflavor@gmail.com / +1 (415) 862-0441‬.

    — Noel Franus

  • 06: Standing Next to Dad, Thinking … Damn, This is Cool

    Episode 6 is tasty chunks of Mardi Gras radio and a healthy serving of global flavors, along with stories that answer three questions: 

    • What music led the way for you when you sought out your own tastes, separate from your parents? 
    • What’s the least cool music you’ve ever liked? 
    • What music reminds you of someone you’ve lost?

    Claire R. shares her turning-points story featuring a trip with her dad to Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. Annabelle in South Carolina tells her tale of growing up, but staying a child. And we say goodbye to two special people.

    Bonus: found footage from Ernie K-Doe‘s days on WWOZ New Orleans.

    Music highlights: The Dixie Cups, 79rs Gang, Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, Ernie K-Doe, Allen Toussaint, Rebirth Brass Band, Ry Cooder, Joseph Spence, Camille Yarbrough, Fatboy Slim, El Búho, Lalo Guerrero, Panteon Rococo, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, Sylvan Esso, and way more.

    Question for the next show: what song changed the nature of your relationship with someone? Let’s hear your stories. ‪(415) 862-0441‬ / saturdaymorningflavor@gmail.com

    Thanks to Patrick Castro for show graphics and effective nudgery / https://www.lpwsstudios.com/

    — Noel Franus

  • 05: Turning Points: When the Songs Fit the Stories

    Patrick Castro shares how Motown music became ‘his thing,’ while growing up Filipino-American in rural Louisiana. It’s part of a new ‘turning points’ segment focused on the soundtracks that fit the moments in our lives.

    Also new: I try to record each voice break in just one take. Spoiler: piece of cake. (I’m lying. And it required whiskey, not cake.)

    Listener feedback: lots of love for the accordion and yet more Picasso tattoos.

    Bringing the heat: Señor Coconut, Youngblood Brass Band, Cuarto Mundo, Hanni El Khatib, Shannon, Barry White, Ela Minus, Willie Bobo, Helado Negro, A Flock of Seagulls. And more.

    I love feedback: saturdaymorningflavor@gmail.com / voicemail: ‪(415) 862-0441‬

  • 04: We Score a Bonus Day in Barcelona

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/38738gNjq80K9kpQmZg9LS

    What would you do with a surprise 24 hours, free, in one of your favorite cities? My daughter and I recently had such a gift in Barcelona, thanks to the glorious ineptitude of Delta Airlines. This is our sonic scrapbook.

    In this episode, father and daughter visit Park Guell — the park that didn’t really want us there — and La Sagrada Familia by day and night. Also, one of us gets our first tattoo, inspired by the moment and derived from two dogs, 15 paintings and 367 years of history.

    This episode features nearly 2 hours of Saturday morning vibes from Big Audio Dynamite, Sara Hebe and Ramiro Jota, Yaeji, Professor Longhair, Lucius, Eurythmics, M. Takara, Radio Tarifa, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Colleen, and much much more. Plus requests for Kermit & Fozzie, and Nick Drake.

    Feedback: saturdaymorningflavor@gmail.com / Voice:‪ (415) 862-0441‬

  • 03: This Package Contains Evidence

    A package arrives in the mail. Inside, it’s an old copy of the Rochester Times Union — a paper that no longer exists, with a story from 1987 about a small movement that no longer exists. 

    It’s tangible proof that we, the freaks and geeks behind the mic at WIRQ, our high school radio station, had supremely sprayed hair. And perhaps more teenage enthusiasm than the writer could handle.

    You’ll also hear what Carl Finch from Brave Combo thinks about creativity and perfection. How Bob Odenkirk couldn’t escape who he was—and how that paid off. Plus a boatload of rain hits my roof.

    The music is once again exquisitely curated for Saturday mornings: Liquid Liquid, Big Mama Thornton, Goran Bregovic, David Bowie, Heaven 17, Warpaint, Self, Koko Taylor, Lhasa de Sela, Tom Tom Club, and much more.

    New show art by Patrick Castro of LP/ws Design Studios. An entire barge full of thanks.

    Lil favor? We’re looking to reach 3 new countries. Please share this with a friend who lives far away. I will send you a donut.

    — Noel

  • 02: I Was a Teenage FCC Renegade

    A confession story: I was a teenage FCC renegade, and it’s time I came clean.

    After that, Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate share life’s greatest walk-on song.

    I share my own earthquake stories, followed by some fictional, unfortunate fateful moments for others.

    We take a trip to Louisiana with Beau Joque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers and the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, plus Blu Lu and Danny Barker.

    And a sweet new holiday tradition is born — but it’s for outlaws only. And much more.

    Show notes: saturdaymorningflavor.com / Feedback: saturdaymorningflavor@gmail.com.

    — Noel

  • 01: How Frogs Changed Me Forever in 1986

    I’m kicking this off with my own 36 year-old origin story before diving into music discovery. You’ll also hear how Muddy Waters may have inadvertently killed off the Esso Trinidad Steel Band. And how Kermit the Frog sparked an unexpected 75-mile love connection, facilitated via KEXP in Seattle. 

    In between: New Order, Hot 8 Brass Band, Colleen, Helado Negro, “monster cumbia” from CERO 39, and some lovely, nightmarish, exhilarating stuff from Anna Meredith. And mucho mas.

    You’re an early listener. Let me hear from you. Leave feedback within the Spotify app or drop a voicemail at ‪+1 415-862-0441‬. Wordy people, send an email: saturdaymorningflavor@gmail.com. Thanks.

    — Noel Franus

Email: saturdaymorningflavor@gmail.com / text or vm +1.415.862.0441