The Voice 10 Recap – Battle Rounds Part 3 – Live Blog and VIDEO

Adam Wakefield and Jared Harder – Team Blake –  Can’t You See by The Marshall Tucker Band – Download from iTunes

Mentor session: Adam is a working touring musician. He sang an assured Tennessee Whiskey for his Blind Audition. After his hometown Joplin MO suffered a devastating tornado, his music career came to a stop. He works in an ice cream parlor now and is married. Blake warns Adam that just because he knows the song, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have to work on it. Jared is working HARD to catch up. In the final rehearsal Gwen notes Adam’s experience, but thinks Jared could surprise everybody. Blake suggests they treat performance as a jam session and says out loud he hopes Adam steals the loser.

Performance: Adam is the more soulful singer, but Jared has a beautiful clear tone–more of a contemporary pop country flavor. The song really does favor Adam’s style. But Jared has obviously put the work in. Who to choose really depends on which you prefer: Gritty soul vs Country pop. I’d give the edge to Adam. His deep soulful delivery is effortless. Xtina calls it “dope.” She loved all the influences. She would pick Adam.  Pharrell has been blown away by Adam since the beginning. Adam L sensed Jared thinking through the performance, while Adam was effortless and could go out on the road with the Allman Brothers tomorrow. Blake thinks Adam looks like someone who just shot a guy in western. No surprise he chooses that guy. And no steal for Jared.  Blake chooses Adam – Jared is eliminated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIUHZAItAuc

Emily Keener and Jonathan Bach – Team Pharrell – Explosions by Ellie Goulding –  Download from iTunes

Mentor session: Emily did a Lorde-like take on “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” during her Blind Audition. Jonathan’s performance of “Born This Way”  was montaged/  Jonathan was surprised by Emily’s power.  Diddy advises Jonathan to be organic in his approach to the music. He’s holding himself back, says Diddy. But Emily is something special, he says. Pharrell and Diddy were both impressed with Jonathan in the final rehearsal. Diddy has them begin performing with their backs turned to each other to bring out the emotion and vulnerability. Diddy is so pleased at the rehearsal’s end that he believes the two are in contention for performance of the night.

Performance: Emily’s blind audition was all kinds of pitchy, yet the coaches lost their minds over her. She’s better here. MUCH better. Jonathan is a strong pop singer. I would call that a draw, but I think they LOVE Emily…so BYE BYE JONATHAN. Adam called them equals, though. Blake appreciated the way Jonathan stepped into character, but he preferred Emily singing from her heart. Christina disagrees, she loved the performance aspect of Jonathan’s performance.  But when it came to Pharrell, he didn’t stand a chance, really. Jonathan we hardly knew ye. Pharrell chooses Emily – Jonathan is eliminated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikhxPFPXwMM

Daniel Passino and Kristen Marie – Team Christina – Turning Tables by Adele – Download from iTunes

Mentor session: Daniel studied Opera in school, but has dreams of being a pop star. He sang that corny “Marvin Gaye” song in his blind. Kristan is from Oklahoma, but is NOT a country singer.  Christina chose a song in Kristen’s wheelhouse, but it turns out Daniel can pretty much sing anything. He’s well trained. Kristen is less experienced–Xtina coaches her in changing up her phrasing with an adlib or two. The final rehearsal goes well, but Xtina is afraid Daniel will stand out as a man singing Adele. Kristen has to be careful not to sound karaoke.

Performance: Two notes out of Kristen’s mouth, and I’m hoping she wins. Maybe she doesn’t have the training that Daniel has, but her tone is luscious and deep. She’s a better interpreter, even as Daniel’s tone and pitch are absolutely exquisite. Pharrell appreciated his vocal tone and felt he presented more of himself. Adam kind of agrees. He’d go with Daniel. Blake was also gravitating toward Daniel. Yes Daniel is a perfect singer. Maybe a little too perfect, I appreciated Kristen’s raw quality. Christina chooses Daniel – Kristen is eliminated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHLQyPNsS3E

MONTAGES!

Jonathan Hutcherson and Moushumi – Team Pharrell – Photograph by Ed Sheeran – Moushumi won– Download from iTunes
 Katherine Ho and Lily Green – Team Adam – Lovefool by The Cardigans – Katherine won – Download from iTunes Katharine won,
Angie Keilhauer and Teresa Guidry – Team Blake – Backseat of a Greyhound Bus by Sara Evans – Angie Won – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtwhVoaCxms

Abby Celso and Brian Nhira – Team Pharrell – Sugar by Maroon 5 – Download from iTunes

Mentor Session: Abby’s mother died from an aggressive form of cancer. Brian emigrated to the US with his family from Africa. They worked together on the arrangement.  Pharrell mentioned again how Diddy has been his mentor. He put the two together because of their soul sound.  Brian comes barreling into the song at a 10–Pharrell and Diddy advise that he dial it back.  Also…DICTION. Brian needs to work on that, says Pharrell. Diddy thinks Abby is relying on her beautiful voice without portraying the meaning of the song. In the final rehearsal, Diddy and Pharrell are both impressed with their performance.  Both have to continue working on their issues. Diddy wonders if Pharrell’s diction advice will cause Brian to overthink his performance. Pharrell agrees. Once again, Diddy suggests the singer start away from each. That seems to be his go to advice!

Performance:  The song kicks off slow, allowing both singers to show of their soulful chops. Abbie’s tone and her phrasing is unexpected. She’s unique and her delivery is effortless. She’s a better singer than Brian. But he’s a super-energetic stage performer who works hard for that applause. Still though, I love Abby’s voice here. I’d go with her throaty alto. Adam liked the slowed up arrangement. He knows how hard it is to sing and thinks Brian nailed it. Blake loved watching Brian, he’d go with him. Christina also loved watching Brian sing, but she loved the textures in Abby’s voice. She’d still pick Brian. Pharrell is impressed that Brian didn’t over sing like he was in rehearsal. He really really wants a save for the singer who doesn’t make it.  Pharrell chooses…we gotta wait until after the break! Pharrell chooses Abby. I KNEW HE WOULD DO THAT. Brian was set up to be fought over.  Christina and Adam both steal Brian. Adam promises he’d get more attention on his team (probably true!). Christina promises he’d have a special place on her extremely strong team (She DOES have the stronger team). And wisely…Brian Picks Adam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KciNhMgdcLU

Caroline Burns and Mike Schiavo – Team Adam – Like I’m Gonna Lose You by Meghan Trainor feat John Legend – Download from iTunes

Mentor session – Teenaged Caroline is a season 9 returnee. Mike moved to Los Angeles to make his dreams come true. He’s the dude who duetted with Adam in his blind audition.  Adam says more or less he pairs singers in an anti-intuitive way. Hm. Tori can tell Mike is nervous. Watch the runs, she says. Adam advises Caroline to go for some big notes. But don’t lose the softness, warns Tori. They’re struggling a little with the harmonies. At the final rehearsal, Adam and Tori note improvement. Mike is performing without a guitar for the first time. Caroline is nervous–she doesn’t have the experience that Mike has.

Performance: Eh. Teen singers, with a few exceptions, do nothing for me. They always have potential, but are still green and lack the emotional maturity to make an emotional connection to a song. Caroline has improved since her initial audition. Mike is a little generic, but has a better handle on how to perform a song. Blake feels Mike treated her with kid gloves, therefore handing her the battle. ADAM PAIRED AN ADULT UP WITH A KID and THEN had them sing a love song! Mike didn’t want to come off as a perv. Geez. Also LOVED Christina calling Blake out on that condescending baby talk he used to describe how “adorable” Caroline is.  Xtina remains clear headed. She feels Caroline was born to sing, but Mike was more consistent.  I agree with Xtina, he deserves to move on. Pharrell was impressed with and surprised by Caroline’s runs, but Mike “killed it.”  Adam thinks they both have potential that needs to be uncovered. But Caroline has more. Adam Chooses Caroline. Mike is eliminated – I KNEW THAT WOULD HAPPEN.  The coaches always think they can bring a young contestant along in a few weeks, and it rarely works out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOa2TAsjIqI

Alisan Porter and Lacy Mandigo – Team Christina – California Dreamin’ by Mamas and Papas –Download from iTunes

Mentor session:  She’s the singer formerly known as Curly Sue. Lacy recently graduated from high school. Her dad is a heavy metal singer. Christina was the only one to turn for her. Oh. Lacy had never heard the song before. They’re doing Sia’s version. Xtina notes that Alisan has a wider range compared to Lacy’s rock voice. She admits the song is out of her comfort zone. Patti gives advice about not being stiff, and gives Alisan tips on her diction.  A STEAL is coming!

Performance: Lacy is really at a disadvantage here. She’s forced to reach into her upper register to hit the notes and the sound is strident. Alisan is the queen of vocal runs. They are effortless coming from her and the ear naturally seeks her out. Lacy’s vocal isn’t nearly as colorful or smooth. Pharrell liked her control on the first part, and called her a “weather system” on the second. Adam recognizes Lacy’s issues. No, it was the wrong song. She needs to rock out, not compete against a soul diva. Adam recognizes they are two different kinds of singers, but he gives it to Alisan. Of course, Christina chooses Alisan,  Blake Steals Lacy He rightly points out that the song just wasn’t right for Lacy. Adam calls Alisan the “Jordan Smith of the season.” OY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l937uLm7qww

Advancing to the Knockouts

Adam Wakefield – Team Blake
Emily Keener – Team Pharrell
Daniel Passino – Team Christina
Abby Celso – Team Pharrell
Brian Nhira – Team Adam steals from Team Pharrell
Caroline Burns – Team Adam
Alisan Porter – Team Christina
Lacy Mandigo – Team Blake steals from Team Christina
Moushumi – Team Pharrell
Katherine Ho – Team Adam
Angie Keilhauer – Team Blake

Eliminated

Jared Harder – Team Blake
Kristen Marie – Team Christina
Jonathan Bach – Team Pharrell
Mike Schiavo – Team Adam
Jonathan Hutcherson – Team Pharrell
Lily Green – Team Adam
Teresa Guidry – Team Blake