Hang out with me tonight as I live blog The Voice, which continues the knockout rounds with Team Christina and Team Blake. Each will whittle their ten contestants to five like Cee-lo and Adam did previously.
Thanks to SirMac for his outstanding recap last night! I’m psyched that Cee-lo chose Cody “Bam Bam” Belew to continue in the competition. I think he has both talent AND personality, a good recipe for going deep when the live voting begins. I also think audiences might warm to Amanda Brown. I thought she showed some serious stage presence in her performance of Paris (Ooh La La). Props to Adam for actually choosing contestants he stole. I thought the steal was just a device to toss around fodder. Good to see it put to use. I also like that the two hours had ten performances — the filler in the Battle Round episodes was a bit much. I’m ready to get to the meat of the competition. How about you?
We start with a recap from last night, followed by a preview of tonight’s show.
Team Xtina. Devyn Delora vs. Laura Vivas
Devyn chooses a Whitney’s “I Have Nothing.” Christina tells her to stand and not move on stage. She hopes nerves don’t play into the life performance. Laura chooses “I Need To Know” by Marc Antony. Christina thinks it looks fun, but wants her to make sure she pays attention to pitch when slipping out of Spanish. Devyn is up first. She has the look and a pretty voice. I’m not digging her song choice though. Perhaps a bit of over-emoting. She sinks to her knees. Now Laura. She’s doing some sexy dancing. She’s fierce. Vocals might be suffering from her high energy. That was a bit OTT. Cee-lo says caliente and calls it grand. Blake thought Devyn did a good job with Whitney. Xtina thinks Devyn can benefit from her coaching more and chooses her.
Adriana Louise And Celica Westbrook
Christina chooses them because they both sing pop. Adriana chooses Kelly Clarkson’s “Already Gone.” Never a good move. Xtina gives her some phrasing tips. Celica chooses “Never Say Never” by the Beibs. She thinks it fits her age group. Xtina wants her to open up her body language and lose herself in the song. Adriana sounds fine, but lacks subtlety and nuance. Well, she brings in some softness at the end. Toyota Celica comes out swinging, but the sounds a little pitchy. Adam thinks they both have different things that make them strong. Blake says they both had pitch issues. Adam says Blake is mean. Blake calls him a bitch. Xtina thinks that was the strongest Adriana has been. Xtina appreciates Celica’s feistiness. She chooses Adriana. Not shocked. She’s more in Christina’s wheelhouse.
Alessandra Geurcio vs Dez Duran
She picked them because of their different styles. Alessandra chooses “Take a Bow” by Rhianna. She thinks she has a connection with Christina, who wants her to tap into her rasp. He chooses Lionel Richie’s “Stuck on You.” Christina thinks he has old soul in his voice. She coaches him on breathing techniques. Alessandra is up first. Dang, this girl has long legs. She’s trying to show some grit. I’m not completely buying it. Dez is up now. He sounds smooth and heartfelt. I would give him this round. Cee-lo thinks Dez is lucky to be on a team full of lovely ladies. Adam says they are both talented and picks Alessandra because of growth. Blake is no help. Christina is torn. She chooses Dez.
Chevonne vs De’borah
Chevonne is Lady Gaga’s former backup singer. She chooses Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself.” Christina thinks Chevonne is willing to give it her all, but has her work cut up for her. De’Borah is the misfit urkel-dressing woman from Chicago. She chooses “You Found Me” by the Fray. She is studying everything Christina says. Chevonne is up first. She’s doing a sassy version of the song. Manic even. Lots of energy. De’borah is up now. I prefer her. She sings with more conviction. How can you not love her? We’ll find out Christina’s choice after the break. Cee-lo says he would gladly have both on his team. Adam says they both have stage presence. He says while it’s Chevonne’s best performance, he picks De’borah as the stronger performer. Xtina loves them both dearly. She picks De’borah. Good. Cee=lo is bitching about Chevonne ignoring him.
Aquile vs. Syliva
Aquile picks “Grenade.” I forgot about him. He’s pretty and has a nice voice. Memorable? Time will tell. Sylvia picks Christina’s “Fighter.” Pandering or risky? Christina acknowledges that it’s a hard song to sing live, and gives her breathing tips. Aquile is up first. He’s a little generic. Sylvia has a little more spark in her performance, although I detected a little pitch problems in the middle. Xtina looks pleased. Cee-lo says it was dope to Aquile and calls him dog. They make Randy Jackson jokes. Blake thought Aquile was steady, but Sylvia kicked ass. Xtina liked them both and chooses Sylvia.
Team Blake up next. He thinks Xtina’s problem is that all her singers are in the same genre. I don’t see De’Borah as the same as Sylvia, but that’s just me.
Team Blake
Gracia Harrison vs Liz Davis
Gracia chooses “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. Uuh. I have liked her previously. Blake is worrying about her staying true to herself as an artist. She wants to show she’s versatile. Liz chooses “Gunpowder and Lead” by Blake’s spouse, Miranda Lambert. Risky or pandering? Blake says Liz has big shoes to fill. Gracia sounds good. I am just so done with this song. Liz comes out in a sexy black shorts number with a mullet skirt. It’s high energy. She’s sassy, but more sexy than pissed off. Hmmm. I like Gracia better. Xtina goes with Liz. Adam goes with Gracia even though she had a weird song choice. Blake thinks Liz has a better idea of who she is as an artist and goes with her. I agree with Adam.
Rudy Parris vs. Terry McDermitt
Rudy is singing Chris Brown’s “Forever.” He wants to make a pop song his own. Blake is worried about the song being too young. He’s not thrilled with the song choice. Terry chooses “Baby I’m Amazed.” He knows the song and thinks he has an advantage. Rudy is first. Kind of not my thing. Just didn’t get it. Terry is next. Sounds great. Xtina picks Terry hands down. Cee-lo liked Rudy, but was amazed by Terry. Adam loves Terry and wants him to go far. Blake says he didn’t think Rudy being all over the place musically worked for him this time. He chooses Terry.
Contestants! Song choice is key!
Collin McLauchlin vs. Michaela Page
Collin is happy to be on Team Blake. He choses “Breakeven (Falling to Pieces)” by the Script because it represents who he is as an artist. Michaela chooses Pat Benetar’s “Love is a Battlefield.” She thinks she can connect with it. Blake wants Michaela to be selfish and lose herself in the moment. Collin first. He’s solid, but not exciting. Michaela has a rad outfit. I think she’s fine, but trying too hard. Let’s see what the coaches think. Christina though Michaela has strut and emotionally connected to the song. Cee-lo thinks there’s a lot of growth in Michaela. Adam goes with Collin because he loves him. Blake heard flaws in both of them. He chooses Michaela.
Julio Ceasar Castillo vs. MarissaAnn
Blake wanted a pop vs latino match up. He picks “Somebody to Love” by Beiber. Oh no. Blake warns him about his enunciation. He dwarfs Julio when they hug. Marissaann was saved by Blake. She chooses “Lady Marmalade” to show off her vocals and wake up the crowd. Blake is pleasantly surprised, but thinks she has her work cut out for her too. Julio is first. I think he made a mistake with choosing this song. It seems very karaoke. Too bad. I liked him before. Marrisanna is up now. She has tude. I think she will win this hands down. Poor Julio. He was probably fodder before the bad song choice. Christina gives her a standing ovation. Blake says they are both great. He decides to go with Julio! I’m shocked. He didn’t think MarissaAnn did enough to change his mind about Julio.
Cassaddee Pope vs. Suzanna
Cassadee chose Maroon 5’s “Payphone.” I’m starting to wonder if all these coaches songs are picked because they also have a “list” to choose from. Blake is worrying about her changes to the song. Suzanna chooses to sing “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley. She’s worried the lack of a vocal moment int he song. Blake tells her to approach it like herself and not force it. Cassadee first. I’m not digging this. She’s having a hard time with the fast lyrics. Does better on the chorus. Nothing unique though. Suzanna up now. Cassadee looks on with worry. It’s groovy, but the fake accent is a little strange. I would pick Suzanna. Christina loves Suzanna and loves the song choice, although it’s weird song choice. Adam says Cassadee impressed him and would choose her. Personally, I’m not sure this was the best battle to end the show with. Blake picks Cassadee because of Suzanna’s safe song choice.
That’s a wrap. What did you think? We start with the live voting shows on Monday!
