🎧Episode 139: Atlanta Rhythm Section Deep Cuts, Al Jarreau Smoothness & Cutting Crew Redemption

<p>Episode 139 moves from Southern rock atmosphere into silky adult-contemporary sophistication before the category songs take a hard turn into overplayed-radio exhaustion and late-’80s redemption.</p><p>Jonathan opens with Atlanta Rhythm Section, bringing melodic classic rock, polished Southern groove, and the kind of overlooked album-cut energy that fits perfectly in the deep cuts lane. Curtis follows with Al Jarreau, adding warm vocals, smooth jazz-pop elegance, and enough musical sophistication to remind everyone that “easy listening” does not mean “easy to sing.”</p><p>For the category songs, Jonathan brings <strong>Burnt To A Crisp</strong> with The Righteous Brothers, revisiting a legendary record that has been played, covered, re-played, re-covered, and emotionally slow-danced into dust. Curtis then brings <strong>Remember This One Instead</strong> with Cutting Crew, making the case that there is more to the band than the one massive hit everyone immediately thinks of.</p><p>Southern polish, Jarreau-level vocal class, a gloriously overcooked classic, and a better Cutting Crew conversation—Episode 139 is smooth, familiar, and just roasted enough.</p><p><br></p><p>Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor.</p><p>Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS.</p><p>---</p><p>Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast.</p><p>---</p><p>The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune &quot;Song X&quot; fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins&#39; version of the tune &quot;St. Thomas&quot; fed into the same software.</p>