The Voice 10 Recap – Top 11 Performances – Live Blog and VIDEO

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We’re opening with a Prince tribute. The stage is bathed in purple light. Each of the coaches share their memories on the legendary artist. “He did his thing his way, all the way, to the end,” says Adam Levine. “I’m going to miss this guy so much.” Pharrell Williams remembers hearing “Purple Rain” when he was a little boy, “This guy continued to do it. It’s a shock. Every time we see purple, we’ll remember Prince.” Christina Aguilera calls him timeless and legendary. She admired his authenticity and championing of artists and artists’ rights. Blake Shelton never met him, but to this day, his music can change his day. “He’s already missed.”

But now…let’s get right to the performances, host Carson Daly says.

Shalyah Fearing – Team Adam – The Climb by Miley Cyrus – Shalyah has listened to “The Climb” a lot on her laptop. It gives her inspiration. “When I get to the top,” she says, “The view will be beautiful.” Adam advises her to enunciate better, but the choruses are amazing! He’s convinced the song will be a big game changer for her.  Hm. I wouldn’t call this performance a game changer. Ouch. They’ve got her performing first, so good luck with that. She still has those enunciation and pitch problems, but when she kicked it up a notch in the second half, with a few well placed growls, Shalyah brought the performance home. This gal, at 16, still slightly underbaked. Blake says her journey is just now starting for her. Christina says Miley would be proud. She thought it was a different twist from her usual gospel fare (except that song is super gospely, so not really?). Pharrell feels girls her age will be inspired. He complimented the high note at the end. Adam calls her the embodiment of the dream to be a singer. “You’ve got it all,” Adam gushes.  –  Download from iTunes

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

Daniel Passino – Team Pharrell – Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper – Daniel was inspired by the Pink’s acoustic version of the song. “Sing it to the eyes of the girls,” says Pharrell, “They’ll go crazy!” He compares Daniel to MJ and Justin Timberlake   “There’s a pop star in him, period.”  Pharrell has to stop blowing smoke up his team members’ arses. Daniel is still as nasally as ever, and he’s still working the room as if it were a cheap Vegas lounge, but that was the least annoying of all his performances. For the most part, he sang the song tastefully. EXCEPT at the end when he let loose with a gratuitous high note. Blake calls him “soooo smooth” and compliments his prowess with the “ladies” ugh. Former coach Xtina feels Pharrell is doing a great job coaching him. Pharrell says, “You really made that performance your own….you really did a good job.”-  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SrN5de58Ss

Paxton Ingram – Team Blake – Break Every Chain by Tasha Cobbs – Wow. Blake really wants this dude to happen. He’s pulling out the Jeebus card in week 2. Remember, Pharrell suggested a gospel song for Paxton, and Blake said he’d consider it. And here we are.  Paxton is a solid singer. Getting him to stand still and sing an inspirational tune this week is really the best option to get Paxton out of the iTunes cellar. He’s pouring every bit of emotion he can summon into it. He goes off pitch at the key change. Hm. But his passion can’t be denied. If this performance doesn’t chart, nothing will. Was that a double modulation? Yes. Trying so hard to make him happen. This might actually do it. For this week, at least.  “That was like an unleashing of power,” says Pharrell, “That was the freest I’ve felt you.” Christina confirms. DOUBLE MODULATION. “This was the perfect song,” says Adam, “I was really blown away.” He compliments Pharrell and Blake for putting that together. “This is the first time I felt you opened your heart up to everybody,” says Blake –  Download from iTunes

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

Owen Danoff – Team Adam – Fire and Rain by James Taylor – Owen lost a childhood friend who died in the military. Adam says James Taylor doesn’t clear songs, but he did for Owen. Adam wants to see the confident guy return, after nearly being eliminated last week. Owen is back behind the guitar, which is a good thing. The singer is a throwback. It’s smart to take on a beloved classic this week. His rendition was quiet, but very emotional. During the last verse, in particular, he really opens up and wears his heart on his sleeve. We’ll see if it’s enough to keep him out of the bottom 2 this week. Christina calls him a great storyteller. She’s glad his vulnerability is back. Adam loved the version Owen did and is really proud of him because he brings something different to the competition.  –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5t2CmYLfOQ

Mary Sarah – Team Blake – Johnny and June by Heidi Newfield – Blake picked the song, but Mary thinks it’s perfect. Blake compliments her on the breaks on her voice. “We’ve got to move the dial on iTunes!” Blake declares. Eh. This is a pretty generic country pop song. She sang it pretty well. Although, I don’t understand why Blake doesn’t hand her songs that highlight her affinity for traditional country. That was just a lot of belting, right there. Snooze.  Christina never heard that song, but thought she did a beautiful job. Pharrell never heard it either. It’s amazing to him that she can stay in her upper register. He calls her dress “distracting.” Yikes. Faint praise from both. Blake believes she’ll move the dial on iTunes. Hm. If she couldn’t do it with “So Small” I’m not convinced she can with a song fans outside of country have never heard.  –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPb3ffcLw4Q

Alisan Porter – Team Christina – Stay With Me Baby by Lorraine Ellison –  How about that. Alisan singing this particular song. Ohhhh…she says, “It’s really important for me to dive in and become somebody else.” Yeah. Just like the singer on that other show, Alisan NOT digging the non-empowering, non-feminist message of the lyrics. But Alisan pulls up her big girl pants and goes for it, although she stresses her desire to be a positive role model for her kids. I’m gonna be honest. I don’t really dig this song either. PLEASE DON’T BECOME A SINGING SHOW STAPLE. I mean. What’s the deal with mentors who force their charges to sing songs that make them feel bad? Having said all that, Alisan sings the snot out of it, as usual. Not with the utter and complete conviction she usually brings to a performance, but she gets the job done. Alisan’s baby interrupts Adam’s critique. GO BABY. Blake congratulates Alisan for owning her moment on the stage. Xtina congratulates her on showing her kids what it’s like to go for her dreams.  Xtina, next week. PICK A BETTER SONG. It would be cool if she chose something on the folk or alt/country side. –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUS6M0bRTDY

Bryan Bautista – Team Christina – Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars – He’s dedicating the song to his 16 year old sister. She’ll be in the audience! Christina compares the arrangement to Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway, with a little jazz thrown in. Hm. Not sure I’m digging the “smooth jazz” version of “Just the Way You Are.” It lacks energy. He might have benefitted bringing it down a half step or so. He’s really straining on the upper notes. It’s really dangerous to change up a familiar song. It better work, and I don’t think this did. It’s kind of a mess. He tries too many adlibs and falsettos that don’t land. His sister is crying in the audience. Aw. Pharrell calls it “effortless.” Shut up Pharrell. You’re such a liar. “The arrangement was perfect.” He loved all the adlibs. Adam thinks he has the greatest range of anybody right now. “Super silky smooth. The choices were all right,” says Christina. “You can deliver anything,” she says. –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hidc6jdDJ70

Adam Wakefield – Team Blake – Lights by Journey – Holy cow! Adam’s mom is here. She’s a phD scholar who works with the Scottish government on gender equality issues. I WOULD NOT HAVE GUESSED THAT. Blake works with Adam to change up the phrasing to make it his own, which doesn’t change the song significantly, once the singer takes the stage. Adam is no Steve Perry, but then who is? Adam’s vocals are strong and confident and does the song justice. Pharrell thinks he’s got some Steve Winwood, along with the classic southern rock vibe. “Big Machine should be watching you right now,” says Pharrell. Guess what, Scott Borchetta was watching and replied.  “HEY @PHARRELL WE’RE WATCHING! :) WOW @adamwakefield WITH IDOL OVER I CAN WATCH THE VOICE NOW!” Eep. Adam notes how he traverses a lot of musical ground in a performance. Blake says his performances keep audiences on the edge of their seats.   – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qushyit1igI

Nick Hagelin – Team Christina – Your Body is a Wonderland by John Mayer  – His kid broke his shin, so he’s not in the audience this week. Cute video of the son watching him from home last week. That child is propelling his The Voice run. Hunky dad gives up major label deal for special needs son! Nick plays the guitar this week, as he croons his way through the song. It’s a better vocal performance than last week, but not nearly as affecting or sincere. His falsetto is on point, though–smooth transitions. Blake likes him back on the guitar and compares him to Jason Bourne, which I still don’t get. Christina gushes that she’s become a big big fan of his. “There’s an energy when you come on stage…you’re just loveable,” she says.  –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctgNwYVFFz4

Hannah Huston – Team Pharrell – I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt – After last week’s big performance, Hannah chooses something pulled back. It’s the type of song she’d like to write some day. Pharrell wants the instruments to “creep in” slowly. “You’re going to take control of this performance,” he says. Pharrell thinks Hannah realizes she’s a star. He loves that. That thing she does with her hands? She needs to knock that off. But other than that. Man. Hannah really has a voice like no other. Her phrasing and tone are so unique. She’s really bringing the heart and emotion here, WITHOUT relying on big notes. That was simple, perfect, affecting. She’s still one of my favorites. Adam loves her unique character. Pharrell is sure all of Nebraska is standing up right now. What’s his obsession with Nebraska? Who cares where she’s from. Oh also: A pre-school teacher with the ability to convey emotion. QUELLE SURPRISE. Shut up Pharrell.   –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgsp91Ye7p8

Laith Al-Saadi – Team Adam – Make it Rain by Ed Sheeran – Laith is shocked that he’s resonating with America, because he’s not the prettiest or the youngest. Adam wanted him to do something contemporary, so he chose Ed Sheeran by way of Foy Vance. Laith likes that the song has elements of old school blues. Adam has one or two tips for him, but thinks he’ll have his best week yet. If Laith was gonna do a contemporary song this week, this is a good one. As far as modern blues artists are concerned, Laith is a terrific representative. He’s a talented guitar player and his big booming gravelly voice embodies the genre perfectly.  I think he’s got an excellent shot at making the finals. Blake can’t wait for what he’ll do every time, calling him a breath of fresh air. Pharrell orders America to buy his 3 pre-The Voice songs on iTunes. I’m sure producers loved that. Adam only had time to gush a little, before the credits rolled. –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqQ8Do6U6GE