The Goon Line 031: A few Tiny Desk Concert selections for you

I’m not sure you understand the level of restraint I have displayed for the last six weeks by not posting showtune content here. And today I’m only barely doing so, which means you can keep reading. BUT WOW ARE YOU IN FOR SOME BIG GODDAMNED TROUBLE WHEN I ACTUALLY BREAK THE SEAL.

I am an appointment SNL watcher, minus skipping a few episodes featuring objectionable hosts over the last few years. I really showed them. This past Saturday we got a very funny sendup, starring and written by my favorite cast member and podcaster, of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.

It reminded me of several other great TDCs I have deeply enjoyed and would like to share with you.

1. Patti LaBelle. Filmed in 2022 at a performance venue in Austin that we used to semi-regularly visit, this is a little concert with a lot of energy. Patti LaBelle was 77 years old when this was recorded, and turns in an absolute banger of a performance — nodding to so many different eras of her own career, and to varying generations of her fans, too.

2. Sweeney Todd. Last year’s revival of this Sondheim hit featured a 26-person orchestra. But at NPR, they had to scale back pretty dramatically, including but not limited to putting the production’s most gifted physical performer under the radio show’s titular desk for a number.

3. Tom Jones. If you only watch one of these, make it this one. It is a beautiful, soulful performance from an artist I’d kind of written off as being a kitschy goof because of the Fresh Prince/Austin Powers of it all. Turns out I am a person who watches this every few months. That last song, if you are over the age of 40 and/or have ever considered your own mortality, might really get you.

Please try to procrastinate from your desk jobs by watching one or all (all) of these today! I’m only trying to help you by sending this stuff.