The Voice 8 Recap Blind Auditions #4 Live Blog and VIDEOS

We’re live blogging the 4th night of The Voice 8. Tonight, it’s The Blind Auditions #4. Join the discussion below.

Was tonight sob story city or what? I know this sounds terrible but…I don’t care? After all these years watching competition reality shows, I feel immune to that particular manipulation. I’m also becoming immune to the coaches “sales” pitches. Bulletin to the producers: They’ve lost their entertainment value. This season, I find myself zoning out at about the 1:30 mark. I am mostly enjoying Christina at this point, because she puts the boys in their place (OMG calling out Pharrell and his “pimp walk” was hilarious) and she hasn’t been around enough to get on my nerves.

I actually didn’t LOVE anyone tonight, although I would give an honorable mention to Kory Kent White. He’s obviously experienced and has an appealing country croon.

Christina, Adam and Blake each have a spot left on their team. Pharrell has two more spots. Here’s how I think it will go down next week. The Monday show will spend 45 minutes to an hour finishing up the blind auditions. Then, the Battle Rounds will begin. The episode is titled “Blinds End and the Battles Begin. So there you go.

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Ashley Morgan – 26 – “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” – She’s been working as a background vocalist and at a theme park, and not used to stepping out. Eh. This is a terrible song choice. Very karaoke. There’s a reason she’s a background vocalist. Oh. That high note was rough. Zzzzz. Pharrell and Blake turned around. She hit the key change and they act like it’s a big deal. BATTLE FODDER HELLO. Blake declares that the next time she plays a theme park, it will be at an amphitheatre.” These pitches are so full of crap. “There’s nobody like you in this competition,” says Blake for the 20th time. “I have not been this excited about an artist in a long freaking time.” Blake is, seriously, like a used car salesman. Pharrell asks her what kind of music she wants to make. She’s still figuring herself out as an artist, she says. “I want to make music that makes a difference in this world.” OMG. Is she kidding? After his “you” centered pitch, Ashley picks Team Pharrell.

http://youtu.be/LBlQp7zxU24

Koryn Hawthorne – 16 – “My Kind of Love” – She works at a pizza shop in Louisiana. She joined a local singing group that performed for elderly facilities, etc. Her mom is a single parent, and works very hard. She’s so proud of her daughter. TEARS. She has an interesting, husky tone. No chairs are turning…until Christina! She has some breath issues, but if Christina coaches her right, she could deliver some decent performances. Pharrell turns at the last minute. Pharrell is so impressed with her phrasing. Adam calls her “bonkers mature.” He thought she was 40. Pharrell appreciates her old soul and humility. “People will line up to see that the rest of your life.” Christina stresses that music is about emotion. “Follow your heart” she says. They’re trying to “heart” each other out. It turns into a big hug fest between Xtina and Pharrell. Adam is moved and joins in! In the end, Koryn makes the right choice. Christina will be the perfect vocal coach for her. Koryn picks Team Christina.

http://youtu.be/4z3Q9UwiXwU

Lexi Davila – 17 – “Dreaming of You” – She’s never met a celebrity before! She’s very shy. But it’s a different story when she hits the stage. Her parents are from Puerto Rico. Her grandfather was a singer. Lexi competes in concert choirs, and won with a song she dedicated to her grandfather a few days before he died. Why is a kid singing this old fashioned song? Her vibrato is a little disturbing. Too many runs. But the judges seem pretty excited. Blake and Adam hit their buttons. Pharrell didn’t turn because he heard some nerves. He leads her through some breathing exercises. Xtina almost pushed…but didn’t. Adam thought it started crazy strong, there were issues, but he was impressed with the big notes. He thinks he can work to make her a better singer. Blake agrees. She can be a star, but needs coaching. Blake can erase her nerves! The two bicker back and forth. She’s a big fan of Adam so, Lexi chooses Team Adam.

http://youtu.be/WOEQmUZp6vw

HELLO MONTAGE – Four singers WHIZ by: John Bastone (Team Adam) Katelyn Read (Team Christina) Ameera Delandro (Team Christina) Bay Brooks (Team Blake)

http://youtu.be/FCp_XvfR9wI

Quincy Mumford – 23 – “Dancing Machine” – He’s part of a band called Quincy Mumford and the Reason Why, they played a meld of genres. He met his future wife at a gig. She is Swedish and they travelled back and forth for a couple of years. He made ends meet by teaching music lessons, and working at his parents diner. Unfortunately, this is terrible. There are no dynamics, no energy. Pharrell thinks he’s got something. Hm. No. But nobody turns around. And rightly. That was a limp, pitchy performance. Charisma free! Christina felt his performance didn’t connect the dots. Blake didn’t hear heart or urgency. Oh. Honesty. It’s true. That performance was so boring. No Chairs.

Brenna Yaeger – 19 – “The House that Built Me” – She grew up in a log cabin her father built. They had a pet bull, bubblegum. It sounds like the perfect, idyllic country life. She and her sisters shared a bedroom, and even a bed. Her parents got divorced and lost the log home. She hated leaving her “sanctuary.” Now, she works at the local general store. But she really wants to be a performer. Aw. She’s going to sing “The House that Built Me.” When she hits the lyric that goes “know me from Adam” he goes “Oh she said my name!” and hits his button. She’s very nervous, and it’s affecting her breath control and ability to lose herself in the performance. There’s a very pretty tone in there somewhere, though. She gains a little courage during the bridge. But it’s not until the song is nearly over that Blake turns. Adam gives her a big hug after, cause she needed it. She’s got the song lyric tattooed on her foot. Adam hugs her again, but he’s toast. Blake thinks someday Brenna could make the difference in someone’s life the way Miranda has in hers. Blake leads a crowd chant. “Jeez he’s doing the finger thing!” says Brenna. She’s so nervous! But ultimately Brenna picks Team Blake. Of course. “I love you!”she exclaims afterward when Blake gives her a big hug. That decision was predetermined.

http://youtu.be/ZHyGEbQ5cq8

Jeremy Gaynor – 30 – “Superstar” – Male lead vocalist for the West Point band! He’s still there. When his music career didn’t pan out, a relative suggested he sign up for the military. He loves being encouragement to his fellow soldiers and their families. His wife, whom he met at church, is pregnant with their first child. She says he’ll be an awesome father! He’s at a crossroads.Jeremy sings old school R&B. His vocals are all super silky and soulful. He’s got a beautiful falsetto. His singing is solid, but not extraordinary. Christina turns very quickly. Adam and Pharrell turn next. Blake is next! A 4 chair turn. He’s good, but not THAT good. Blake calls him a stud. And a great singer. Blake guarantees he can carry him through the gauntlet. Adam felt the charm of his appearance, even before he turned around. Christina calls his talent undeniable. She mentions that her dad was a sargeant. She tells him he needs to be a household name. He could win! (No. No he couldn’t). Jeremy initially thought he’d go with Adam, but in her pitch he felt Christina “kept bringing it.” Jeremy Picks Team Christina.

http://youtu.be/aEQsUrmUa9Q

Blake and Adam decide to team up against the other two, whatever that means. They “fist bump” on it. SO CONTRIVED. Can we just can these behind the scenes antics and stick to singing?

Jack Gregori – 37 – “Ring of Fire” – He studied business at the University of Maryland, the it was on to Boston University to law school. Started his own successful company, but when the market crashed, the bottom fell out, forcing him to start over. After reevaluating his life, he decided to do more music. Now he’s got a ton of roommates, and living on barely nothing as he struggles to build a music career. He loves it, but realizes he’s getting older. Time to kickstart! He’s got that deep, deep country fried tone. It’s very sonorous and soothing. I’ll bet he’s a hit at karaoke. He’d be an AWESOME bass in an a’cappella group. But he’s a pedestrian lead singer. Only Adam turned. And right away! He calls Blake stupid. “That was legit!” says Adam. “It’s going to get real.” Blake thinks he’s the perfect guy for Adam. He’s interested to see what he does with a “real” country artist. That doesn’t sound like an endorsement, exactly. It’s like he’s expecting him to fail, and probably chuckling to himself that Adam made such a stupid choice. Adam Turns for Jack.

http://youtu.be/xv1g4GWAXLQ

Briar Jonnee – 20 – “Take a Bow” – She grew up in a small Mississippi town, miles away from everything. There were no music programs in the school in her tiny town, so she auditioned for and got into a performing arts school, 3 hours away. She’s a sophomore at the University of Southern Mississippi studying journalism. It’s kind of a fall back–she really wants to do music. Blake and Pharrell turn first. Eh. She’s got a decent pop/R&B thing going here, a couple of nice ad libs, especially when she slips into her upper register. She could be molded into a pop singer with some work (pitch issues!) Blake loves her vibrato. “Your voice is so full,” says Blake. Briar gets teary. Christina suggests Pharrell give her a hug. Blake thinks she looks super cute in her skorts. She may sing R&B music, but she’s REALLY a country girl. Christina calls out Pharrell on the way he manipulates hopefuls. Christina mocks his walk. Adam says we’re going to need to see Blake’s “pimp limp.” Pharrell can tell she’s nervous. He’s going to help her to not hold back. Blake knows he’s being outsold. And of course, Briar Picks Pharrell.

http://youtu.be/z0SFCSsH1Y4

Jess Gallo – 20 – “Stolen Dance” – Works as a dishwasher at dad’s restaurant. She had her first crush in second grade…on a girl. So there you go. Because she felt different, she isolated herself a bit. Her mom put her in musical theater programs when she was a kid to help with her confidence, and it did. When she came out as gay, her parents were VERY supportive. Her performance style consists of hunching over and skulking around the stage. It’s a good thing the coaches can’t see her. Her vocals are very Minnie Mouse-ish and odd. The pitch issues aren’t helping. Nobody turned. Adam said when she comes back to audition again, she should choose a song where she can showcase her unusual tone-something angsty or dramatic. – No Turns.

Brian Johnson – 24 – “Reason to Believe” – He was known as the chubby kid with the high voice, so he was bullied all the way through high school. In college, he had a fresh start. He got a band together and played coffee shops. Sadly, his dad was diagnosed with MS and had to go on disability. His mom worked constantly to make ends meet. They eventually separated, they lost their house. He moved back home to help out. He married his high school sweetheart after they graduated from college. These sob stories… Adam barely heard a note before he turned around. Blake turned soon after. I wonder if he’s religious? I’m hearing a gospel singer. He’s very soulful, but I’m hearing spirit in that big voice, too. He knows how to wrench emotion from a song, which could help him go a long way. Adam felt so drawn in by his performance. Blake is impressed by his emotion and heart. “There is nobody like you on my team” Blake says for the zillionth time. Brian totally buys it, though. Blake is probably the best choice for him. And indeed, Brian Picks Team Blake.

http://youtu.be/fR7eeGRB6Zs

Corey Kent White – 20 – “Chicken Fried” – He was the lead vocalist for a Texas swing band when he was a teen. He did a lot of travelling. He got the opportunity to sing with Willie Nelson, after he held up a sign asking to sing with him! In college, he put together another band. He’s playing the college circuit at the moment. His experience shows! He knows how to phrase a song and he’s not the least bit nervous. He’s got a twangy, raspy country voice. It’s appealing. It’s taking a while for a turn. But it finally happens at the VERY LAST MINUTE when Blake and Pharrell push their buttons. Pharrell loves his voice. Cory is from Oklahoma. So. Blake name drops the Swon Brothers. OKIE PRIDE! Pharrell takes off his jacket. He’s getting to work! He stresses that he knows ALL kinds of music. He lays down that “I’m going to figure out what YOU want” line. Adam advocates for Pharrell. Not making a very good argument. Swon brothers DIDN’t win. But they got a record deal! And the person who won, Danielle Bradbery, was on Blake’s team as well. Pharrell needs to shut up. He lost. Sanity prevails. Kory Picks Team Blake.

http://youtu.be/nKmqZHJcBu0

Blake outs their alliance. How could Adam turn on Blake? Cause he’s a rat!

Tomorrow, Wednesday at 8/7c pm, The Voice will air a clip show. Because 5 hours of The Voice a week. Why not. And obviously, there will be more Blind auditions next week. The title of Monday’s show is “Blinds End and the Battles Begin” It sounds like a blend of both formats.

Team Adam