The Voice 10 Recap – Top 12 Performances – Live Blog and VIDEO

Mary Sarah – Team Blake – So Small by Carrie Underwood – It looks like Mary chose her own song. She picked it because she could mix traditional with modern and also because the tune is very inspiring. She shares the story of her brother who was born a preemie and then developed diabetes. “Carrie Underwood has some pretty big pipes,” confesses Mary, “I have something to prove here.” Blake suggests she wear a fancy gown. She opts for a peach/pink crop top and a long sparkly skirt. It’s very pretty. Nope. She doesn’t have Carrie’s pipes. She doesn’t change up the song, and after last week’s messy “Rose Garden,” that’s probably smart. The downside, is the performance is a little generic, although she does infuse it with genuine feeling. Traditional country is what gives Mary the opportunity to stand out. Hopefully she goes back to that next week. “I wasn’t too familiar with it,” Xtina says about the song. Hm. She also compliments her outfit first, which comes off a little shady. Pharrell asks if she ever imagined standing on stage in front of Blake Shelton and America when she worked at Boot Barn. As a matter of fact she did. Ha ha. Pharrell was obviously not expecting that answer.  Adam compliments her for doing a very unique version of the song. Uh. She barely changed a note Adam. Blake felt she totally delivered the message of the song. He also compliments her on travelling the fine line between traditional and contemporary. Except that tonight, Mary was straight up contemporary. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDzzhPuDu6Q

Laith Al-Saadi – Team Adam – Born Under a Bad Sign by Albert King (Covered by Cream) – Laith picked his song too. He’s a big fan of the blues. He shared the stage with BB King once. Adam advises Laith to “work yourself into a frenzy.” Adam advising his team to oversing. “The more you rip the heads off people, the better it is,” Adam says. That’s lovely imagery. Laith is a real blast from the past. Skilled guitarist, solid rock blues vocals. I’m dubious he can take this shtick very far. I’m already pretty bored with it, to be honest. I could be underestimating the popularity of classic rock among The Voice fans, however. We’ll see. Man. He really can shred that guitar, though. If this was “The Guitar” Laith would be the winner. Blake confesses he doesn’t know much about the blues, but he thinks that had to be as good as it gets. Laith’s larger than life persona is working for him, Blake says. Pharrell declares he’s the real thing. He points out the awesomeness of his guitar solo. Once again, Pharrell asks America to vote for Laith, who is not on his team. Adam thinks he’s special: there’s been nobody else like him on the show, ever. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET0ydjEUA9E

Daniel Passino – Team Pharrell – Human Nature by Michael Jackson – Daniel picked “Human Nature.” Pharrell thinks it’s a brilliant choice and is impressed with his ability to produce himself. When Daniel reveals some doubt about tackling MJ, Pharrell insists he’s an artist! Don’t doubt yourself, he says. First there’s that nasally, unpleasant tone. But then, the performance is SO CORNBALL. Ugh to the pulled faces, and that moment when the music suddenly stops and he eye effs Christina. Noooooo. Staaaahppp. This is arranged like an 80s Vegas lounge act. Ghha. Pharrell brought this guy back WHHYYYY? Adam compliments him on how comfortable he seems on stage “smooth, smiling a lot, having fun.” Ha. Shady Adam, shady. Christina “really really loved it.” Pharrell says he can’t take any credit. Would you even want to Pharrell? I mean. I’m cringing.  –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRjSkP92CXg

Carson interviews Blake Shelton about his upcoming album. The Voice audience gets the big album cover reveal. If I’m Honest comes out May 20th. “I think it’s the best I can do…literally,” he says, a little awkwardly. He’s touring in the fall, starting in Oklahoma City.

Emily Keener – Team Pharrell – Lilac Wine by Jeff Buckley – Emily’s dad, who seems like a nice dude, comes by meet Pharrell. Apparently, he helped shape Emily’s eclectic musical tastes.  She and Pharrell work on her phrasing and “delicate” runs. Her unique vocal style is how she can beat the big voices, he tells her.  Emily is drawn to songs with deep meaning and hopes to be able to do the song justice.   Strumming a cool electric guitar, Emily sings under the pitch in spots and with a monotonous tone. I know she’s going for a Lana Del Rey/Lorde vibe, but she only pulls it off in flashes. Her voice cracks at one point. There’s more emotion in her face than there is in the vocal. A couple of interesting ad libs  caught my attention, but overall, an uneven performance. Emily is not quite there yet. Adam loves the song. He calls her rendition stunning. Christina has been waiting for that performance. She calls it “magical.” Her favorite performance of the night. Pharrell calls it “amazing.” and “you let the spirit come all the way through you.” He reminds everyone that she’s only 17. “You have to vote for her!” he insists. That’s her problem, she’s just a few years short of coming into her own, It think. Lorde is an anomaly. –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm0_MkUWR7Y

Nick Hagelin – Team Christina – Mine Would be You by Blake Shelton – Shots of Nick’s little son. Here come the votes. He’s going to sing a song for his wife tonight. Christina gushes that he’s transformed Blake’s song into something special. Christina gives him pointers on how to phrase the song, but the overall approach is all him, apparently. Nick starts off accompanying himself on piano. Imagine if One Direction covered Blake Shelton. It’s kinda like that–a  very sweet, sincere rendition. There’s some pitch stuff going on, and Nick’s upper register is thin. But I suspect there is plenty of swooning in the audience tonight. Pharrell feels Nick gave the song a whole new life. He can imagine that song on the charts. Blake is sure fans at his concert this weekend will be screaming for “the Nick Hagelin version.” Christina compliments Nick on his ability to take direction, and notes his charisma.  –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP_FrLnWv5I

Adam Wakefield – Team Blake – Soulshine by Allman Brothers – He and his late brother played this song in “crappy little bars.” Even hearing it on the radio is emotional for him.  Blake calls his voice magic. The singer has a background in southern rock, but The Voice is where he can claim a spot in country music, he says. Adam is arguably one of the best vocalists this season. His voice just cuts through to the bone. It’s strong and pleasing and effortless. I believe what he sings. Here, he delivers a churchy, passionate rendition of the 70’s classic. The big ole note Blake suggested Adam sing at a key moment adds to the drama. He really left his heart on the stage. Standing ovation. Are we just taking people to church and setting free? asks Pharrell who feels he really delivered a message. Adam L believes he’ll be able to choose anything after this. “You are so far beyond the real deal,” he gushes. Blake predicts he’ll be around for a long, long time. I think Blakers is correct. “You’re a star,” he says. –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jj27iPDk38

Bryan Bautista – Team Christina – Kiss From a Rose by Seal – Christina had to save him, because she saw the potential and just had to let it be known. We’re going to see a softer side of Bryan tonight. But she wants him to lay his heart on the table. “Be tender,” she says. This is a deceptively tough song to sing. It’s pretty paint-by-numbers until Bryan finally goes off script and lets loose with the ad libs. The last chorus makes up for a lackluster beginning. He finishes the song with a tender falsetto. Yes to the second half of the song. He managed to pull it out in the end. Pharrell is sure Bryan will get a record deal. He breaks down a few of the technical details that impress him. Christina says she is surprised every time he takes the stage. “You are a star,” she says.    –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXsRSmV6ElI

SNEAK PEEK of SIMON COWELL and America’s Got Talent next week WHOOOPIEEE.  Wouldn’t it be funny if Simon dropped by The Voice live to promote AGT? My brain would explode.

Owen Danoff – Team Adam – 7 Years by Lukas Graham – Adam feels what he does is really special. He deserved to be saved. Initially, he planned to  play bass guitar, cause that’s what he does. Adam talks him out of it–he wants all of his effort spent on the vocal. Sing out a little bit, Adam says, and add variation to the melody. I like Owen, but I’m not a big fan of this song.  Despite the monotony of the melody, Owen manages to give the song a beginning, middle and end. He’s a natural storyteller. By mid song, Owen was working the stage. He didn’t hold back. Definitely the singer’s most energetic performance to date. Pharrell admires his tender tone, and ability to also pack a mean punch.  Adam felt he bust out of the shell hes been living in the past couple of months. “You looked like you were about to kill somebody…you came alive tonight.” Owen’s songwriter dad is in the audience!  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1IpWtEHT9U

Alisan Porter – Team Christina – Stone Cold by Demi Lovato – Alisan is eager to sing a contemporary song. She admires Demi, who has also talked frankly about her sobriety. Christina thinks the song is perfect for her. If Demi hadn’t claimed it already, it could be Alisan’s single, she says. The singer tears up. She’s waited a long time to break out. “It’s time now,” she says. There’s not much to say about Alisan that hasn’t already been said. She’s a pro, a natural. Her adlibs and phrasing are effortless, expert. She knows how to pace a song.  She’s a phenomenal live singer.  Unfortunately, having no room for a growth arc puts her at a disadvantage. Adam is speechless. He wishes she was on his team. “Aren’t you bored with being so great? Can’t you suck sometimes?” says Blake. Christina can’t wait for her album to come out. Alisan thanks Christina for her help. “You don’t need it!” Christina says the energy in the room changes instantly when she enters. –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SseHyCa4WI

Paxton Ingram – Team Blake – Hands to Myself by Selena Gomez – Paxton couldn’t believe he was saved. SAME PAXTON SAME. Because Blake allows Paxton to be himself, he’s still sure he picked the right coach. He’s ditching the dancing to concentrate on the vocals this week. Don’t leave the intensity behind, advises Blake. Paxton confesses his experience singing in church has given him confidence. Anybody with an Apple iPhone or iPad will recognize what’s happening on the video screen behind him. Weird. I must confess: I’ve always kinda liked Paxton. It’s smart to concentrate on vocals this week. He should probably set aside the dancing for as long as he lasts in the competition, because this is his best vocal to date, despite the song choice being kinda WTF. Don’t know if it’s enough to keep him in another week. But it might be. “THAT’S MY BOY YEAH!” yells Blake, who should probably get a room at this point. Pharrell suggests a gospel song next time, because Paxton obviously likes “lifting people up.” Blake is taking that advice to heart. Oy. If Paxton busts out the Jesus card, he may never leave. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkSII6YLbtU

Hannah Huston – Team Pharrell – Something’s Got a Hold on Me by Etta James (Christina Aguilera covered) – Pharrell urges Hannah to CALL THE SHOTS. Raise the key! She instructs the band. Pharrell thinks she can totally seriously win.  Hannah was good last week, but did not deliver a perfect performance. Tonight, she’s on fire. She takes the stage like a woman possessed, yet still completely in control. It’s an effortless, raucous performance. The blues seems to be her wheelhouse.  I’d love for her to pull out some Bonnie Raitt at some point in between a contemporary song or two.  The only thing: Blake should advise her to dial back the growls. Adam calls her genre of music “alien soul…it’s so weird and cool and messed up and perfect.”  Blake says it’s hard not to get wrapped up in her performances. She picked the song, according to Pharrell. He wants everyone in Nebraska to vote for her. “You have mountain ranges of notes!” he gushes.  –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td1n9G2YxXk

Shalyah Fearing – Team Adam – Up to the Mountain by Patty Griffin – PLEASE DON’T OVERSING THIS. Completely unnecessary.   This week, Adam advises her to embellish, but with purpose. Shalya name checks the great Kelly Clarkson, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” We got some hand waving in the pits. Shalyah is totally in her comfort zone singing gospel, and delivers a reverent, heartfelt version of the song. A mature singer for the most part, her oversinging and pitch issues reveal her inexperience. Christina calls her a fearless singer. “I feel your heart when you sing,” she says. To Pharrell, it felt natural, improvisational. Adam is all BLAH BLAH 16 year old. “I don’t even know where you get it! It blows my mind.”   –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyYcCa1m2LU