The Voice 10 Recap – Blinds End Battles Begin – Live Blog and VIDEO

Click for ALL of tonight’s Song Spoilers. Also, coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Pharrell Williams and Christina Aguilera join forces for a superstar performance of Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish.”

Team Adam, Team Blake and Team Christina have one spot open each. Team Pharrell has TWO spots left.

When the battles begin, each of the coaches will be assisted by advisers. Team Adam will be helped by Tori Kelly. R&B legend, Patti LaBelle will assist Team Christina. Diddy and Pharrell team up to mentor and Gwen Stefani returns to help her boo Team Blake.

The coaches kick off the episode with that rousing rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic “I Wish.” They take turns singing. Pharrell sits behind a drum kit. Cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thYF9OO7nYQ

Jared Harder – Merry Go ‘Round by Kacey Musgraves – He grew up as a pastor’s kid. He sang first in church. Hailing from Joplin MO, he recalls the devastating 2011 tornado. He worked with Convoy of Hope for 3 months to get the town back on its feet. He’s married and works in a local ice cream shop. Jared is so earnest, even if he doesn’t have a strong voice, he knows how to tap into emotion. Blake eventually pushes his button. He thanks everyone for not pushing their button. Jared will make good cannon fodder for Blake. Jared says he would have picked Blake in any case – Team Blake –  Download from iTunes

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

Team Blake is now complete! Now, let’s review! Jared joins fellow team members, Adam Wakefield, Angie Keilhauer, Brittany Kennell, Brittney Lawrence, Gina Castanzo, Justin Whisnant, Mary Sarah, Paxton Ingram, Peyton Parker, Teresa Guidry and Trey O’Dell. (Blake STEALS Katie Basden from Team Adam)

Moushumi – Wicked Game by Chris Isaak – Her parents are Indian. Her dad is a physician. She studied classical Indian dance as a kid. She went to medical school (cardiology) in India! She’s taking a year off to give music a try. She’s definitely going back if it doesn’t work, says mom. Backup plans sometimes keep the dream from happening… She’s all breathy but Adam and Christina push their buttons right away before the big parts of the song. Ohh. There goes Pharrell! I dunno. She’s OK. Her voice is sweet, but slight. Nothing special. Blake gushes, ‘THAT WAS AMAZING.” He says he would have pushed his button if his team wasn’t full. Christina thinks she’s special. Pharrell calls her “fresh” and loves the way she navigated the song. “I don’t think I have ever met an Indian girl that sings the way that you do,” he says. What’s that supposed to mean? Though she looked a tiny bit confused by that, she’s not bothered, because she picks Pharrell – Moushumi Picks Team Pharrell –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nkPCAq2CKY

Jake Hendershot, Jesse Bardwell, Selina Carrera–basically a parade of rejects. Better luck next time!

Katie Basden – Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers – She was at Belmont University studying music when she had to rush home to be with her family after her father had heart issues.  Katie has a pretty, strong voice.  But with an emphasis on pretty–this song really needs some grit to make it work. I know she sang it for her dad, but it wasn’t the right song for her. Adam and Pharrell turn immediately! Christina is next. The trio argue who would be best for Katie sans Blake, the country coach. There’s a lot of Adam shading, but that doesn’t influence Katie’s decision a bit. Katie Picks Team Adam  – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TFY8-qlwxk

Team Adam is complete! Katie joins the rest of Team Adam: Caroline Burns, John Gilman, Katherine Ho, Laith Al-Saadi, Lily Green, Matt Tedder, Mike Schiavo, Natalie Yacovazzi, Nate Butler, Owen Danoff and Ryan Quinn.

Jonathan Hutcherson – You and I by One Direction – Sixteen year old Kentucky native Jonathan lives on a farm with chickens and cows and stuff. Despites suffering a hearing loss, his speech developed well, and it has not affected his ability to sing. He wears a hearing aid. So far, Jonathan has only performed at church and local venues.  He sings thus pretty boy band ballad with a pleasing vocal tone and loads of heart. I smell a heartthrob!  Pharrell turns his chair because of his “interesting tones.” Adam notes how he connects to a vocal.  –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXm6Jk000W0

Team Pharrell is Full! Jonathan joins fellow team members,  Abby Celso, Brian Nhira, Caity Peters, Emily Keener, Hannah Huston, Jessica Crosbie, Joe Vivona, Jonathan Bach, Maya Smith, Nick Hagelin. (Pharrell steals Malik Heard from Team Christina)

Another parade of losers! Sads. Brianna Mazzola, Chase Walker, and another guy!

Ayanna Jahnee – Skyfall by Adele – She lives in Nashville. Her mom was a costumer in a theater where she performed. It’s how her passion for musical theater began. Damn. Her mom died of cancer, and she’s only 20 years old. So sad. She’s doing it for mom of course. And that’s quite a crown of hair she’s got piled atop her head. Hm. She’s nervous, but her throaty alto is compelling. She hits some unexpected high notes. That’s when Christina turns. But damn. PITCH PROBLEMS GALORE.  Because nerves, though. Ayanna is crying before Christina even speaks. Xtina loves the singer’s theatrics. She wants it all. Christina and Ayanna adlib a little impromptu celebration, because the team is FULL-  Download from iTunes

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

Team Christina is Full! Ayanna joins fellow team members: Alisan Porter, Bryan Bautista, Chelsea Gann, Daniel Passino, Joe Maye, Kata Hay, Kristen Marie, Lacy Mandigo, Malik Heard, Shalyah Fearing, Tamar Davis.

The Battles begin!

Katie Basden & Ryan Quinn – Team Adam – Maybe I’m Amazed by Paul McCartney –Time to meet Adam’s advisor, Tori Kelly! Ryan is the talented singer who teaches kids who have been affected by trauma.  Adam compares the duo to Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. Tori loves her rasp, which is even more pronounced because she’s sick. Tori warns Ryan not to close his eyes while he sings. Ryan has studied music, but he admits its time to improve his performance skills. This is a better song choice for Katie. But dang. Ryan is SOOO good. How can he lose this battle? Katie is in a tough position. She’s got a strong raspy rock voice, but Ryan has something special. that incredible range and depth of feeling when he sings…Ryan is the winner. Blake would pick Katie–her voice is full bodied. Christina calls it a tough one. Pharrell can feel Ryan’s compassion. Katie has a limitless voice, he says. Of course…Adam chooses Ryan.  Christina and Blake STEAL Katie. Adam advocates for Christina! But Katie chooses Blake!  – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBkI7KwNFr4

Brittney Lawrence & Paxton Ingram – Team Blake – I Know What You Did Last Summer by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello – The lovebirds are reunited! Brittany is a cheerleading coach and studying to be a teacher. Paxton danced with Jlo and Britney, but he’s also a good singer. Blake’s all “I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH POP SINGERS GWEN HELP.” Says the guy who promotes himself to prospective singers as the guy who can do it all. Brittney is having trouble with the melody. Oh. the song is about cheating. Geez. The duo work together on their own before the final rehearsal and  are much improved upon return to the studio. The more experienced Paxton helps Brittney prepare. Nice guy. Blake pushes Paxton to push his range, because Brittney has a big one.  I think this is a draw. Brittney has the better voice, but Paxton has more stage presence and charisma. Paxton seems a little nervous–his voice cracks. Christina liked the energy. She compliments Brittney on her clear voice. But she would choose Paxton. Paxton had dynamics, says Pharrell. I agree. Adam admires Paxton’s attack. Yep. He kept my attention. Blake calls Paxton a vocal ninja. Blake Chooses Paxton. Brittney is eliminated –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbzhgv28W-A

Bryan Bautista & Malik Heard – Team Christina – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World by James Brown – It’s the ONE AND ONLY Patti LaBelle! Bryan is a season 9 returnee. He sang a national anthem at a sports event that went viral. Malik’s parents were star athletes in college, but they support his dreams nevertheless.  Patti has a THING for enunciation! She loved James Brown, but he could have done better in that department. Heh. Christina suggests they break up the tempo, to give the melody some variety. Patti reminds them to respect each other as artists. The last rehearsal goes well. Click for a Preview –  Christina has a couple of suggestions, including singing a few high notes. They both have good range. Patti thinks Christina is in trouble, they are both that good. No worries though. Because STEAL. Wow. That was ELECTRIC. They both hit crazy crazy high notes–particularly Bryan who travels to the vocal stratosphere–and deliver incredible adlibs. Charisma for days. The coaches begin pitching the loser right away. They don’t care who it is. Adam reminds both singers that he won The Voice last season. “Toe to toe greatness,” says Christina about both. Christina chooses Bryan. Blake, Pharrell and Adam Steal Malik Adam felt Bryan would win the battle, but only because Malik needs a little bit of coaching to be even greater. Adam feels he can help. Pharrell simply wants to empower him. Blake chides Adam about backpedalling. Adam calls Blake an idiot. The usual back and forth between the two ensue, to no avail. Malik Picks Team Pharrell – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q7HB0hItuU