🎧Episode 130: Kenny Loggins Debut Deep Cuts, Jazz Fusion Firepower & Big Journey Vocals

🎧Episode 130: Kenny Loggins Debut Deep Cuts, Jazz Fusion Firepower & Big Journey Vocals

Episode 130 keeps Derek Hale in the room for another round of deep cuts, debut-album discoveries, jazz fusion precision, and one very important reminder that some guys used to sing like their lives depended on it. Curtis continues his run through favorite debut albums with Kenny Loggins, bringing warm singer-songwriter craft, soft rock polish, and the kind of 1970s studio-musician atmosphere that sits right in the show’s sweet spot. Derek follows with Steve Smith and Vital Information, adding a sharp turn into jazz fusion, rhythmic muscle, and drummer-led instrumental firepower. Jonathan brings in an overlooked Alice Cooper cut that leans into the more melodic and reflective side of the catalog, giving the episode a little theatrical classic rock contrast before Derek takes over the category song. For the category Remember When Guys Could Sing..., Derek goes straight to Journey for a reminder that arena rock and AOR vocals once required absurd range, control, and probably a pre-show oxygen tank. Debut-album warmth, fusion chops, Alice Cooper curveballs, and Journey-level vocal gymnastics—Episode 130 has plenty to talk about. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- 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. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" 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' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

🎧Episode 129: Late-Night Trumpet, Debut Album Horns & A Big-Band Cover Finale

Derek is still hanging around for Episode 129, which means the episode has room for smooth late-night atmosphere, ambitious debut-album energy, and a few jazz turns along the way. Jonathan opens with a moody collaboration from Chris Botti and The Blue Nile, bringing atmospheric trumpet, polished production, and cinematic melancholy. Curtis then continues his run through standout debut-album cuts with an early Chicago Transit Authority track, full of bold horn arrangements, shifting sections, and the ambitious energy that made that first record such a statement. Derek follows with a groove-heavy selection from John Scofield, adding guitar-driven jazz attitude, rhythmic bite, and just enough strangeness to keep everyone slightly off balance. For the category song, Jonathan brings Covers with a powerhouse version from Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, turning a soul classic into a full-band, brass-forward workout. Jazz atmosphere, debut-album ambition, Scofield grit, and a horn-section cover that goes all in—Episode 129 has plenty to dig into. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- 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. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" 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' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

🎧 Episode 128: Heart Tests, Heart Songs & A Very Literal Theme Episode

Episode 128 brings Derek back to the show, and this one comes with an unusually personal theme. Curtis talks about recently going through a stress test and echocardiogram after having some strange heart sensations, so naturally the only reasonable response was to build an entire episode around heart-related songs. Curtis opens with a moody, atmospheric selection from Porcupine Tree, setting a darker and more reflective tone than usual. Derek follows with a fusion-heavy piece from the Chick Corea Elektric Band, bringing precision, movement, and serious musicianship into the heart-themed mix. Jonathan then shifts gears with a powerhouse rock entry from Pat Benatar, adding big vocals, big hooks, and classic ’80s energy. For the category song, Curtis brings it home with #1 In Our Hearts, featuring a smooth, soulful Kenny Loggins classic that ties the whole episode together almost too perfectly. Health updates, heart puns, prog atmosphere, fusion brilliance, rock drama, and yachtiest closer ever—Episode 128 proves that sometimes the theme chooses you. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- 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. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" 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' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

🎧Episode 127: Level 42 Groove, Norah Jones Cool & Sippy Cup Yacht Rock

Episode 127 moves from tight British jazz-funk into smoky modern songwriting before taking a sharp turn into kid-sized smoothness and soundtrack-country glory. Curtis opens with a groove-heavy selection from Level 42, bringing slap-bass energy, sharp musicianship, and that unmistakable blend of funk, pop, and precision. Jonathan follows with a beautifully restrained track from Norah Jones, leaning into mood, melody, and the kind of understated cool that rewards close listening. In the category songs, Curtis introduces Sippy Cup Yacht Rock, featuring a smooth, soft-rock-adjacent selection from Stephen Spencer that proves even the smallest sailors deserve polished production. Jonathan closes with Soundtrack Singles, pulling a legendary Jerry Reed track from Smokey and the Bandit—pure southern charm, highway momentum, and cinematic personality. Jazz-funk flash, late-night subtlety, children’s yacht-rock absurdity, and one all-time soundtrack ride—Episode 127 has range. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- 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. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" 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' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

🎧Episode 126: Prog-Pop Turns, Rickie Lee Jones Cool & The David Foster Factor

This episode moves from ’80s prog-pop precision into songwriter sophistication before landing in show-tune energy and one very David Foster-shaped category pick. Jonathan opens with a bright, punchy selection from Yes, leaning into the band’s more streamlined era where big musicianship meets accessible hooks. Curtis follows with a laid-back, character-rich track from Rickie Lee Jones, bringing that unmistakable blend of jazz, pop, storytelling, and offbeat cool. In the category songs, Jonathan brings Show Tunes into the mix with a theatrical selection from Brassroots District, giving the episode a little stage-ready flair. Curtis closes things out with Because David Foster, featuring Peter Allen and all the polished, dramatic, hyper-crafted energy that category name implies. Prog polish, songwriter charm, musical-theater detours, and peak Foster fingerprints—this one covers a lot of very specific ground. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- 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. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" 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' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.