The Voice 11 Live Blog and Recap Blind Auditions 5 VIDEOS

Host Carson Daly is back to keep things moving. Also returning to The Voice are veteran coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. But for the first time ever, the panel will be an equal mix of males and females as Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys join the group.

It’s the last night of the Blind Auditions. The Battle Rounds begin next Monday. Night 5 begins below.

Whitney and Shannon – 25 & 23 – Landslide by Fleetwood Mac – Sisters, their parents are missionaries. As the girls live far apart, they don’t get together as much anymore. In fact, they have not performed together in a year. (This audition was previewed HERE.) Both are hoping that Blake turns his chair. If these sisters don’t sing together much, you’d never know it. Their harmonies are absolutely impeccable and so sweet. There really is nothing like sibling harmonies. Adam, Blake, Miley and Alicia turn in that order! “You can’t teach something like that,” says Adam of the girls’ chemistry. Blake notes that it sounds like the Dixie Chicks version. “It sounds so country!” He name checks former team members, The Swon Brothers, currently touring with Carrie Underwood in order to illustrate his success with duos. Alicia sees them working in genres beyond country and then lays on a mess of her cosmic togetherness rap. Miley compliments their psychic connection. She LOVES “Landslide” and thinks she can help the two find even more creative harmonies. And, Whitney & Shannon Choose Team Alicia. Guess they don’t want to be kept in the country box.   Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnkFPB9stlM

Johnny Rez – 25 – Iris by Goo Goo Dolls – His parents are both Cuban immigrants. He got a free ride to a Miami University, but blew it by abusing drugs and alcohol. After being busted, he was committed to house arrest and has been sober ever since–six years. He went back to school for IT and has had a successful career. Vocally, he has a super-sweet tone. I wish his phrasing was a little more inventive, though. But he does manage to break out on the second chorus a little bit. Adam and Blake push their buttons at the last minute. Adam promises to help strengthen his falsetto. Blake isn’t real sure what IT means. Johnny loves country  music, but Maroon 5 is one of his favorite bands. Hm. His parents are all ADAM! And Johnny chooses Team Adam    Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj2Bugry0pE

Maye Thomas – 27 – Roses by the Chainsmokers – Her dad is a radio DJ in Oklahoma. He introduced her to a ton of music. She met her husband at 19 and the two write and sing together. It’s been a tough road since moving to Nashville together. She’s been waiting tables. Describing her sound as indie pop, I can imagine her singing the bridge on an EDM track. But she doesn’t pop as a solo artist. Miley and Adam turn their chairs. The two battle for Maye, with the typical scenario–Miley talking talking talking and Adam speaking over her. “It sounds like a Miley thing!” teases Blake. Adam gives Maye a little constructive criticism, but notes her unique vocals. Miley would love to hear her sing something smaller. She wants to make her the gothic Dolly Parton! Maye Chooses Team Miley. Maybe she’ll help bring out her personality. Maye confesses Adam didn’t even have a prayer. HARSH.   Download from iTunes

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

Johnny Hayes – 28 – “Traveler” – After graduating from college, it was off to an office job, but he wasn’t happy. He moved to Nashville to form a rock and soul band and recently married. He’s a decent singer– better than a few of the singers that got turns. But alas. Buttons remain unpushed for Johnny’s raspy country rock voice.  Adam notes a lot of “up and down” in his performance. Miley thought he was close…but she hesitated. Alicia thinks he’d do better with a stripped back arrangement.  – NO TURNS

Courtney Harrell – Let It Go by James Bay – She’s a songwriter with an impressive resume–Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson and more. She had a full ride to Berklee–and then she found out she was pregnant. Her son is now 18! When Carson sits down with Courtney in an LA recording studio, she shares that her Voice performance will be her first in 15 years. Nevertheless, Courtney’s vocal is impressive. I guess laying down scratch vocals on demos have kept her sharp. She’s got great control and phrasing. Blake turns first. When she hits a big note, Alicia turns.  She admits to being nervous! Blake is pretty sure she’ll pick Alicia, but he’s going to give it a shot anyway. “I felt so much of your soul,” says Alicia. “We put ourselves aside all the time,” Alicia says, woman to woman. “Making sure everyone is good.” Forget it Blake. Courtney Chooses Team Blake. WOW. Ok. That was a surprise. She picked Blake because she believes he respects “true artistry.” Hm. Probably more, that she ambitiously chose the coach with a track record. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uya1rV8s1cg

Montages:

Tarra Layne – Black Velvet by Alannah Myles – Download from iTunes – Team Blake
J-Soul – Stay With Me by Sam Smith – Download from iTunes – Team Adam
Adam
Belle Jewel – Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds – Download from iTunes –  Team Alicia
Charity Bowden – Girl Crush by Little Big Town – Download from iTunes – Team Miley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdXUTjtbe70

Kylie Rothfield – 23 – Wherever I Go by OneRepublic – Berklee grad is just recovering from a serious vocal chord hemorrhage. She straps on an electric guitar and performs a bluesy rendition of the OneRepublic hit. I like the way she’s flipping this song. She’s obviously really nervous though. The coaches hesitate to turn, but Blake and Alicia go for it at the last minute. Miley stays neutral! “There was never moment you didn’t have me,” says Blake. “I can be a rock for you through this thing. I’ve been waiting on you!” Salesmanship! “I love that you play guitar,” says Alicia, “I would love to help develop your full package.” Kylie Chooses Team Alicia.   Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hS3WV1wjCQ

Alicia’s Team is Complete!

Natasha Bure – Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley – Blargh. Her mom is the Full House chick,  Candace Cameron-Bure and her uncle is Kirk Cameron. John Stamos and that dude Alanis Morisette went down on wishes her good luck via video. Mom declares she hasn’t involved herself in Natasha’s career at all! Except that time Natasha got that gig singing on Ellen. I see NO reason for casting a kid that has plenty of opportunities outside of The Voice. It’s just a ratings thing, and a way to worm into the news cycle, I know. She’s a fair to middling singer. She would not have gotten a spot without connections. What’s with the weird choppy phrasing? OK she’s no Haley Reinhart. I’ll say that. HA HA HA. Only Adam turned his chair. He calls her “self assured” and “special.” Adam will help work on her nerves. The performance got “too tricky” for Miley. That’s one way to put it. So Miley won’t be coaching a fellow Hollywood kid. The singer’s parentage never comes up during the coaches remarks. Maybe that part was left on the cutting room floor. Natasha is on Team Adam   Download from iTunes

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

Blaine Long – 40 – Have A Little Faith In Me by John Hiatt – He’s a high school drop out without a GED. He moved into his brothers houseboat but he found a gal to love anyway! They adopted two children. He gigs playing original music at clubs and pubs. He changes up the melody on this. I didn’t recognize it until the chorus. I’m not sure I like the changes? He can sing, though. He kicks it up on the 2nd verse, and his talent becomes clear. Adam, Miley and Blake turn. Alicia’s team is full or she would have turned too. Miley loves his simplicity. He calls himself an “Americana” singer. He rarely sings covers. Blake notes his own Nashville songwriting bonifides. Adam calls him “one in  a million.” Blake says, “I want to be the guy that gets you John Prine and John Hiatt songs.” But…I don’t think he wants them, Blake. Miley literally throws down the female card as in “Who would you rather spend your time with” (!!!) However, Blaine Chooses Team Blake –  Download from iTunes

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

Team Blake is complete!

Nicholas Ray – I’ve got the Music in Me – He’s an optician by trade. But he’s wanted to be on stage all his life. Currently, he fronts a wedding band. His partner Braxton is there to support.  Uhm. A cheesily funked up “I’ve Got the Music in Me” means NO TURNS. He sings some big notes in the end. But yeah…as Simon Cowell would say. WEDDING SINGER.  Adam says it didn’t quite get there for him. Blake says it felt loungy. BINGO. He sings a snip of “My Guy” and it’s better. Oh well. Sunk by song choice. It happens. – No Turns.

Ponciano Seoane – Home by Phillip Phillips – A military brat, the singer first Picked up a saxophone player, but eventually moved to guitar so he could sing. He works in a hospital ER. He dedicates the song to his son whom he doesn’t see frequently. Sharing his feelings on the separation has him tearing up. He takes the stage without an instrument, with a vocal similar to P2, but maybe a more melodic? He’s interesting, but there doesn’t seem to be much range, and he hits a few pitchy spots. He should go into his head voice when he can’t reach a note. His falsetto is pretty. He’s Cuban–Miley and Adam fight over who is more Cuban. Right. “You feel everything you’re singing” says Adam. Miley was going to make the same point. “I can be very calm for you,” she promises, maybe sensing that she may be a little much for him. Ponciano Chooses Team Adam –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRQsTP3Nrmw

Adam’s team is full! One spot remains, for Miley

Stori, James Paek and Sophie Joelle  just weren’t impressive enough for Miley.

Josette Diaz – 17 – Love Yourself by Justin Bieber – She taught herself to play guitar. In school, she’s very involved with the music programs. She also teaches guitar, which is impressive for a self/taught teenager. Her parents emigrated to the US from the Dominican Republic. And she’s a huge Miley fan. Well, girl, you’re in luck. Josette has a clear sweet voice. It takes Miley a minute to turn. There are a few pitch problems here and there. Her tone is really nice, but her personality and stage presence are non-descript. FINALLY Miley turns and takes the stage to give her last team member a hug. Josette is on Team Miley –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il0BTOHKpMo

And that’s it for the Blind Auditions. NOTE: Tomorrow is a “Best of the Blinds” clip show. NO live blog until the Battle Rounds begin on Monday.

Superstar advisers will join the coaches for the Battles: Joan Jett with Miley Cyrus, Bette Midler with Blake Shelton, Charlie Puth with Alicia Keys and Sammy Hagar with Adam Levine.