I will be live blogging tonight’s show. MJ will provide the videos later.
We start with a hyperbolic recap of last week’s shows. The drama! The judges banter because you know they are great friends. Blake carries his trophy from the awards. Cee-lo has his new rent-a-pet parrot.
Melanie Martinez is up first. She likes photography and has a gap tooth. She likes to interpret songs her own way. She’s singing Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and playing guitar and tambourine (with her feet). Blake and Adam turn around. We know from the preview that Cee-Lo turns around too. Oh, there he goes. She’s cute and quirky. Adam heard a bit of Bjork and think she’s amazing. Blake doesn’t hear Bjork, just Melanie. A unique artist. He lays it on thick. He thinks she’s a star. Cee-lo loves the high note and thinks she’s unique. Adam clarifies his comments in response to Blake and confidently suggests she will chose him. Melanie wants someone who will let her be creative and herself… and picks Adam! They hug. Blake is pissed off.
Next up is Cupid. He had a viral hit in 2006. It was a wedding dance type of song that became a pop culture fad. Being a one hit wonder makes him cry. He is more of an artist that that. He wants to be judged by his voice alone. He’s singing his one hit wonder song… “Cupid Shuffle”. Way to break out of the stereotype. This is all kinds of cheesy. I kind of like it though. No turns for Cupid. Cee-lo thought it was a peculiar song choice. Xtina thinks he was entertaining. Cee-lo asks him to sing something else. Xtina pushes her button in support, but it’s just for show and too late.
25 minutes into the show and we’ve had two performances. Just saying.
Austin Texas native Brian Scartocci? is a single father. His kids are adorable. He married too young. He hasn’t made it in music so has to get his hands diirty. He’s singing Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.” Adam turns, followed by Blake. He did a fun knee dip thingie. Adam says he killed it and didn’t do it like Stevie. Doesn’t look the part. Cee-lo mentions Stevie dedicated it to his daughter. He asks if that was his motivation. Here we go with Kirsten’s sob story. Blake blabs about vests, jeans and chemistry. He’s the bullshit artist of the panel. He claims to have pink on. Adam says he’s sung with Stevie. Blake is going on about beards now. Does that make him gay? Just kidding. We have a commercial break to up the drama. Brian picks Adam. I guess beards and vests weren’t enough.
Montage of duets. None of them make it.
Now we get Beat Frequency. They met in church. Love at first sight. They met 12 years ago and are now married. Everything is at stake because they’ve given up everything including children and a home. They’re singing “ET” and Xtina pushes her button. Odd song choice for them, I thought. Nobody else turns. Xtina is happy to have them on her team. Cee-lo cogratulates them and says they are the best duo so far. Adam tells them they did a good job. Blake didn’t turn around because they are from a different genre of music and says they’re with the right coach.
Tyler Lillesol loves music and baseball. He recently sang at Dodger stadium (boo.. go Braves). He was invited to the Voice over the jumbotron. Can he score with the coaches? He’s going to sing Usher’s “U Got it Bad.” He learned to sing by ear. He’s given up baseball so this has to work. Lots of baseball analogies. Nobody turns their chairs. Adam says the transition between falsetto and natural voice was weak. Xtina thinks they are overly critical, but he didn’t make the right vocal choices. Guess it’s back to square one for Tyler.
Blake is bsing about his male vocalist of the year award.
Liz Davis from Madison, MS is up. She dropped out of college and moved to Nashville to get into the scene. She’s a country girl. This is the moment she’s been waiting for her entire life. She wants to be the first country winner of The Voice. Adam and Xtina turn their chairs. She’s here for the party and has long legs. There goes Blake at the last minute. Blake pulls out his trophy. He mentions his connections in country music. Xtina says she was the first to push her button and would support her. Adam wanted to turn the chair before he heard her sing. Liz is humbled. She chooses Blake! Shocker. She’s excited. Blake thinks his trophy tipped the scale. Blake suggests that Xtina bring her Grammy trophies and she says they won’t fit.
Alaskan J.R. Aquino is a normal guy and said that Alaska has a small music scene. Youtube happened and he’s really popular. He credits youtube for his being on The Voice. He’s singing “The Way You Are.” Adam and Xtina turn their chairs. Blake tells J.R. not to pass out. Adam said he sounds a lot like Bruno. He says he also has a falsetto and he would be behind him 100%. Not too many bars in Anchorage, says Blake. He would know. J.R. asks why Cee-lo was last to turn his chair of the three. It’s because of the high notes. Interestingly, he picks Cee-lo because of his constructive criticism.
Exclusive snippet of Xtina’s video “Your Body.”
Carson personally invites Agina Alverez who works at a hotel. She can stop folding towels. She’s been signed a couple of times, but it didn’t work out and she’s back at square one. She has a pretty headband. Her dad lost his job and their house. He’s proud of her. Tears. She sings “Turn the Beat Around.” Did not expect that. Could be a mistake. She’s a cute girl but it’s an oldish song. Nobody turns. Blake is embarrassed for all of them. Xtina said it was too powerful and she wanted more nuance. Adam has a hard time believing that voice came out of her. Back to folding towels for Agina.
Nicholas David watches his sons during the day and plays music at night. He partied and drank a lot and self medicated and ended up 300lbs. It was a low point. He met his girlfriend and they healed each other. Their son woke him up. He shed weight and booze. He wants to give hope to others and that’s why he’s on The Voice. He’s singing “Stand By Me.” I like his tone. He has an indie vibe. Cee-lo turns his chair. Adam says he’s awesome. Xtina was looking for something different for her team. Cee-lo dug him and so did the parrot.
Seventeen year old Allesandra Guercio attends the Fame school. Didn’t Pia attend this school too? She hasn’t told her classmates to avoid jinxing herself. She’s singing “The Climb.” I hate this song. Adam turns quickly. Finally, Cee-lo turns his chair, too. Adam says there were some issues after he turned his chair but gives her props for her age. Cee-lo says it was a great vocal performance. Xtina asks if she’s trained because of her control. She chooses Adam over Cee-lo.
Montage of other youngsters making the cut.
Now we have Avery Wilson, a dancer from Connecticut. He sang in private until his dad overheard him. He loves Stevie and Usher. He would be nobody without his Dad, who recognized his talent. He’s singing “Without You.” Adam turns and then Cee-lo and Xtina. Now Blake. He’s cute. A little too much vibrato for me. Adam says the crowd loved him so congrats. He’s only 16. Adam calls him beyond his years. Adam is astonished. Xtina can tell he hasn’t had a singing lesson because he has a gift. She wants him for real. Blake hit his button out of respect for his vocal ability. Cee-lo could shower him with compliments and waited to push the button because he was too into listening. Says the industry needs him. Avery chooses Cee-lo.
So what did you think of tonight’s show? Who had your favorite voice? Who had your favorite performance?