Tom Jones at the NPR Tiny Desk

Sir Tom Jones, a full-throated legend among legends, wasn't an obvious choice for a Tiny Desk concert. When we began the series last year, the goal was to bring in quieter, more intimate artists (Laura Gibson, Vic Chesnutt) who are often drowned out by the clinking glasses and chatter of the small clubs they play.

I don't recall when I found this Tom Jones Tiny Desk show, but it's amazing that it was published in 2009. It was certainly years after that, probably 2013. Both of those years are a long time ago! In any event, this little show sold me on the Tiny Desk format for all time. Here are some elements that make this what it is:

• Tom Jones' North Face pullover.
• Tom filling up that first-gen tiny desk setup like Kong in a forgotten little alcove of Skull Island.
• Tom's coughing and between-song banter, which comes across more like studio riffing than live performance.
• The bad mood lighting.
• Bob Boilen's emotional intro.
• The way Tom Jones closes the show by asking, "Okay?"

The Tiny Desk is now a staple, and one of those projects that makes the Internet worthwhile after all.