The Voice 10 Recap Battle Rounds Part 2 Live Blog
Tonight’s The Voice Battle Rounds begin in earnest, with six more pairs fighting for a spot on their respective teams…unless another coach goes for a steal! For singer pairings and song choices, click for ALL of tonight’s Song Spoilers.Coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Pharrell Williams and Christina Aguilera all have battles tonight. We meet Pharrell’s advisor, Diddy for the first time.
Shalyah Fearing & Tamar Davis – Team Christina Aguilera – Lady Marmalade by Labelle –Download from iTunes
Mentor session: Shalyah is the teen with the self-sacrificing parents. Tamar was in an early version of Destiny’s Child, and worked with Prince and Tyler Perry. Tamar literally cries when she meets Miss Patti Labelle. Forty-one years ago, Labelle recorded Lady Marmalade! You have no idea how scandalous the song was considered back then. Shalyah is a little nervous around Patti. Xtina is looking for a little more sass from Tamar. “It’s a funk machine” says Patti of the song. Another enunciation lesson from Patti. PUNCH THAT FRENCH GIRLS. At the final rehearsal, it all comes together. “They both have it,” says Patti, age differences notwithstanding. “I got chills in the face!” Patti exclaims. Eventually, ALL FOUR join forces to sing the song. Patti’s still got it.
Performance: Tamar is the more experienced of the two. She performs effortlessly. But Shalyah possesses a ton of raw talent. She pushes too hard on the high notes, and has pitch problems. She’ll be so much better in a couple of years. I can’t imagine this battle not ending in a steal. Pharrell calls Shalyah “something else.” He can’t believe Tamar’s runs. Adam says they had big shoes to fill, but they did it. He preferred Tamar a little. Blake too. Christina chooses Tamar. That’s not surprising. and considering Tamar’s experience and professionalism, it was deserved. And of course…Pharrell Steals Shalyah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdjTFIO9U2A
Justin Whisnant & Mary Sarah – Team Blake Shelton – Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty – Download from iTunes
Mentor session: Justin left his job in the oil industry to pursue music. He’s a fancy dresser! Mary made a country duets album with big names, but she’s still got a crappy day job. Blake gave the duo a vintage song purposely, he feels they both have that sound. Justin sounds contemporary country to me, but what do I know. The singer is a little intimidated by Sarah’s experience. At the final rehearsal, Gwen is impressed that Justin took his notes, and made the character come alive. She suggests they flirt a little more during the performance. No demonstration with Blake, however. The two contestants are fighting for the “vintage country artist” spot on his team, says Blake.
Performance: Mary’s performance skills are better. She’s obviously a pro. But there’s something about Justin’s tone that’s so appealing. He’s got a very radio friendly voice, and I like his style. I can’t imagine Blake letting the experienced and appealing Sarah go, however. He loves those vintage gals. The results are easy to predict. Xtina felt Justin was accurate, she liked Mary’s high notes. Pharrell appreciated Justin’s control and vibrato. He liked Mary’s showmanship and range. Adam wanted more of the gritty voice he had in the blinds. He wanted more from Sarah too (In other words–he ain’t stealing anybody). Blake felt Justin took the performance up a notch. Blake liked Mary’s spunk and performance skills. Blake chooses Mary, Justin is eliminated. That’s too bad. Justin is a better singer than a few Team Blake members in the past who have made it farther.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4gYvWKbAKE
Jessica Crosbie & Nick Hagelin – Team Pharrell Williams – Electric Feel by MGMT – Download from iTunes
Mentor session: Jessica comes from a small town in England, though her mum is American. She covered Coldplay. Nick is a ballet dancer and father to a special needs son. He lost a label deal because they weren’t down with his family. Nick is star struck by Diddy. He tells them not to be nervous. “I’m on your team,” Diddy inststs. The singers have very different styles, which is why Pharrell put them together. Jessica is intimidated by Nick’s range. Diddy teaches them about staying in the pocket by having them snap along to the beat. Pharrell advises Nick to hit a big note, but not in his false. At the final rehearsal, they seemed to get the “pocket thing.” Nick needs to work on transitioning from head to chest voice. Diddy wants them to be ACTORS as they perform the song. Pharrell’s new word: CRISPY.
Performance: Whoever wins this battle probably won’t make it past the knockouts. Both are foddery contestants. Having said that they both stepped up for this performance. It’s a much better song choice for Jessica, who snoozed her way through Coldplay in the blinds. Pharrell and Diddy’s coaching really helped Nick make the most of his range. Adam says what Nick does is magnetic. Blake couldn’t understand why Nick spent so much time in his falsetto. At which point, he and Adam begin some scripted bickering about Adam’s penchant to do exactly that. Zzz. Christina would also choose Nick! Pharrell wished Jessica had hit more high notes, so Pharrell Chooses Nick. He took Pharrell’s notes. At the very last minute, Adam Steals Jessica. Really? He loved her from the blinds. He wants a second chance. Alrighty then. I’ll be surprised if she makes it past the knockouts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tau2d1enVg8
Chelsea Gann & Kata Hay – Team Christina Aguilera – I’m the Only One by Melissa Etheridge –Download from iTunes
Mentoring session: Chelsea has struggled with body image all her life. Her mom is a gospel singer songwriter. Kata is that wacky Nashville singer who kissed her girl crush Christina. Kata admits she’s nervous. Patti can hear them both struggle with their lower notes. At the final rehearsal. Patti warns them about pitch. Xtina is happy they are both energized by the song. Patti calls Kata a “little pit bull.” Kata stepped on Chelsea’s lines. Oops. Chelsea on the other hand, is so controlled, she needs to loosen up. Christina thinks they both need to rub off on each other.
Performance: Kata is not very good. She’s got no vocal control and mega pitch issues. Chelsea is running rings around her to be honest. Hm. Was that shortest battle ever or what? Pharrell pretty much accused Kata of stepping all over Chelsea’s parts. Adam said it felt like a battle. Blake says Kata stays behind the pocket. He would pick Chelsea. Xtina felt Chelsea stepped up to the plate, but she loves Kata’s passion. Christina chooses Kata. SERIOUSLY? Wow. Chelsea clearly won that battle. Chelsea is eliminated. Sure, I get that Kata has a made for TV personality, but that performance WAS NOT GOOD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urMmbuHVCGk
Natalie Yacovazzi & Nate Butler – Team Adam Levine – Hollow by Tori Kelly – Download from iTunes
Mentoring session: Natalie is a single mom and credit card processor. Also, a returnee from season 9. Nate was bullied in high school until he became a musical theater star. It’s difficult to be precise singing the verse. That melody is hard! Nate is struggling a little. Tori likes Natalie’s airness, and gives her advice on adlibs. At the final rehearsal Adam compliments Nate on improving. He tells Natalie not to think so much. Tori tells says live in the moment. The song is about letting go and letting God, says Tori. The revelation helps Natalie get a handle on the song.
Performance: Natalie has a nicer tone, but Nate has more range and versatility. Natalie is the more commercially viable choice, with her blond good looks. But Nate improved so much over the course of rehearsals, that he could be set on an interesting growth arc. Blake thinks Natalie has originality, but Nate is pitch perfect. He compares him to Adam, and it’s not a diss! Christina thinks it’s neck to neck. Pharrell likes Nate’s control and pitch. He thinks Natalie has pizzazz. Adam noted that Nate was out of his comfort zone. Adam chooses Nate I’m a little surprised, to be honest. I thought he’d pick the commercial choice. Natalie is Eliminated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24xL7wnXtFs
Hannah Huston & Maya Smith – Team Pharrell Williams – Elastic Heart by Sia – Download from iTunes
Mentoring session: Hannah is a pre-school teacher who just found her courage to sing. Maya is a postal worker hoping for a music career. Welp. We know there’s a steal in play, so ya’ll can relax! Both find the song tough to sing. Oh. They are roommates! Ha. We see them practicing at home. At the final rehearsal, Diddy gives each girl a little private pep talk. Hannah needs to bring out her diva, Diddy advises. The girls mic stands and lyric sheets are taken away from them. Remove the crutches! Pharrell thinks Maya has more power than she thinks. Raw emotion from two superstar Divas is how Diddy thinks they should approach the song. Pharrell reveals it was Diddy who coaxed him out from behind the control board to take the mic, “He’ll see things in you that nobody else will,” says Pharrell about why he asked Diddy to help him.
Performance: Ooooo. They are both so GOOD. Terrific phrasing and vocal tone. Emotional power in spades. They are really going toe to toe. This is, without question, the battle of the night! I liked both at their Blind Audition, but they are even better here! THANK GOD FOR THE STEAL. They hug each other like BFFS, gushing congratulations. Adam loves Hannah’s confidence, but thinks Maya is right up there with her. Blake loves Hannah’s intensity, but feels Maya was a little freer. Maybe she was a little shaky? Christina felt both their vibratos were strong. She loves Hannah’s excitement, but notes her pitch problems. Maya had a better range. There goes Pharrell calling things crispy again. He noted little issues with both singers, but felt they were great overall. Pharrell chooses Hannah. At the last minute, Christina Steals Maya. And then Blake Steals her Too. Blake didn’t turn for her in the blinds. Oh c’mon Blake. You’re just being a brat! And probably following producers orders to spice things up. She’s going to pick Christina. And yes. Maya Picks Christina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze-_oJZdKBU
Advancing to Knockouts:
Tamar Davis (Team Christina)
Shalyah Fearing (Pharrell Steals from Team Christina)
Mary Sarah (Team Blake)
Jessica Crosbie (Adam Steals from Team Pharrell)
Nick Hagelin (Team Pharrell)
Kata Hay (Team Christina)
Nate Butler (Team Adam)
Hannah Huston (Team Pharrell)
Maya Smith (Christina Steals from Team Pharrell)
Eliminated:
Justin Whisnant (Eliminated from Team Blake)
Chelsea Gann (Eliminated from Team Christina)
Natalie Yacovazzi (Eliminated from Team Adam)
