The Voice 12 Recap - Knockouts 1 Results Live Blog (VIDEOS)

The Voice season 12 Knockouts begin tonight. Team members go head to head with a solo song of their own choosing. Their coach picks which singer will move on to the Live Playoffs. The remaining contestant is eliminated UNLESS stolen by another coach. Each coach–Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Alicia Keys and Gwen Stefani–has one steal each.

Only winning and stolen contestants have songs uploaded to iTunes, so the song spoilers are REALLY spoilery. Please keep ALL spoiler talk in tonight’s Song Spoiler post or the Top 20 Spoiler post. Don’t make me bring out the ban hammer, ya’all! Heh.

This season there are no celebrity Key Advisers for this round. The coaches will mentor solo. Additionally, the pairs will watch each other rehearse.

Chris Blue vs Quizz Swanigan – Team Alicia Keys

Chris Blue – Superstition by Stevie Wonder – Chris had a tough upbringing. He knows what it’s like to wake up without food in his stomach. He feels he HAS to win. He describes his sound as “soulful pop.” Chris is very Usher-like, with the dance moves and such. Sometimes he embellishes a song TOO much, but he has a fine instrument. There’s nothing generic about this singer. Alicia does her HEYYY OHHH thing as he performs.

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

Quizz Swanigan – Chains by Nick Jonas – Quizz is the youngest in the competition at only 13 years old. He describes his sound as a cross between pop, soul and R&B. He feels as the youngest, he has to work even harder. He relates to the “chains” as the insecurity he feels as a preteen. Quizz has his own dance moves! The song is too mature for him? I’m not really buying the sentiment. But he’s got a strong voice. So much potential there. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm2AhNv9X5Q

Gwen says she’s the biggest fan Chris has ever had! “I can’t believe you’re a real human being.” Adam feels Quizz had the hardest job, but he pulled it off. Blake reminds us that Chris auditioned last–and that he could win. Alicia calls Quizz “very special” and Chris a “wild crazy animal.” Alicia chooses Chris And at the VERY LAST MINUTE Gwen Steals Quizz

Hannah Eyre vs Autumn Turner – Team Adam Levine

Autumn Turner – Respect by Aretha Franklin Currently a figure skating coach, she was stolen by Adam during the Battles. Adam advises her to dial back the growls. I couldn’t believe Adam stole her. She’s a decent singer, but other than the nice rasp, she’s nothing special and REALLY old fashioned. Often, though, stolen contestants are used as cannon fodder later. Man, she’s out of breath by the end. She kinda lost the pocket there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wYSv2-v-FQ

Hannah Eyre – Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis – Hannah wonders how she’ll compete with Aretha Franklin. Uhm. By being young and fresh. Hannah is only 16. She sees herself as an R&B/Pop artist. Don’t over-embellish or sing under-pitch, says Adam. Hannah’s voice isn’t as big as Autumn’s. She also has pitch problems. But again, she’s got potential. She might choke in the lives, though. Blake likes Hannah. Alicia loved Autumn’s “rugged” sound. Gwen loves Hannah’s warm rich voice. She didn’t love Autumn’s song choice. She wanted to hear the kind of artist she’d be. Adam Chooses Hannah. Autumn is Eliminated She’s tearful. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HqG7WvbyRk

Hunter Plake vs Johnny Gates – Team Gwen Stefani

Hunter Plake – I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner – Hunter’s family home was wiped out in a flood. Gwen stole Hunter. I’m not a big fan of this song. But Hunter has a way of imbuing a performance with so much feeling, he transforms the cheese. He’s really a one-of-a kind singer. Every note, phrase, expresses emotion. Also, his intonation is on point. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESmVDwH2lqw

Johnny Gates – Million Reasons by Lady Gaga – Tonight, Johnny is going guitarless. Gwen advises him to really LIVE the lyric. Interesting song choice. Johnny gives it the classic rock treatment. He’s good. I love his clear, strong tone. But there’s no way he can compete with the sublime Hunter.

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

Adam calls Johnny an entertainer, but Hunter an artist. He’d pick him. Blake says Johnny has a presence. But he’s impressed that Hunter put his own stamp on a classic. Alicia would choose Johnny. Gwen says the Foreigner song is on her “make out playlist.” TMI. Gwen Chooses Hunter. Johnny is Eliminated Gwen says Hunter’s creativity made him deserving of the win.

Casi Joy vs Felicia Temple – Team Blake Shelton

Casi Joy – My Church by Maren Morris – Blake helps Casi break bad habits. While Felicia watches Casi perform, she’s probably realizing she doesn’t have a chance in hell. Casi’s the kind of singer Blake LOVES. And what’s more, as a rootsy soulful country singer? She’s a powerful force. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv9VMggSMrw

Felicia Temple – My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion – Blake stole Felicia from Alicia. She’s a cancer survivor. Hoo boy that song choice. She chose it because it reminds her of grandma. That’s not good game strategy. On a new team, Felicia feels like she’s holding on by a thread. Ha. She is. The performance is nice, but it’s nothing special. She hits all the Celine-approved big notes. The white jumpsuit and bun. Are we back in the 80’s ya’ll? How does she expect Blake to get it? Alicia can’t believe the pairing. She thinks Casi has great control. Felicia gave Alicia chills. Gwen loves Casi’s confidence. Felicia gave her chills as well. Adam leans towards Casi, but gives Felicia the courage award. Blake Chooses Casi. Felicia is Eliminated. Casi is “shocked” that she won. Hm. Felicia announces that she’s cancer free. Aw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY-KhOFVZbk

Johnny Hays vs Josh West – Team Adam Levine

Johnny Hays – Statesboro Blues by Allman Brothers – He plays this song with his band. Johnny didn’t get a turn in Season 11. Johnny’s bluesy voice is so effortless. It’s as if he’s not even trying. But his tone and intonation are spot on. His voice is pure like honey. He’s got Alicia HOOING and HEYING from her seat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCY3-7DQX5g

Josh West – Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas – 18 year old Josh is a little intimidated by the older Johnny. Adam suggests that he “build to 11.” Ha that he’s using a Spinal Tap reference seriously. Josh has a nice range, but I’m not digging this warmed over 70’s bit. He’s singing a little underpitch as well. He ends on his knees. CLICHE. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A52Ssv3FWGg

Blake appreciates Johnny’s stage presence, but he’d pick Josh. Alicia was really taken by Josh. Gwen calls the song hard to sing and is impressed he pulled it off. Adam mentions Josh’s ability to hit high notes in his chest voice. Adam Chooses Josh. Johnny is Eliminated. Eh. I would have chosen Johnny. He’s a better singer and performer. Sure, Josh can hit high notes, but that performance was karaoke.

Lilli Passero vs Ashley Levin – Team Alicia Keys

Ashley Levin – Fancy by Reba McEntire – She has a much older dad who suffers from dementia. Oh. She mentions Bobbi Gentry’s version. I’m impressed. She wants to give the tune a soulful twist. Mamma offering her daughter up for men’s pleasure is really bizarre. Ick. I’m just not a big fan of this song. Ashley should choose songs on the contemporary, but rootsy side. She’s got a big voice, though. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX5ODFwiVYY

Lilli Passero – Tears Dry on Their Own by Amy Winehouse – Lilli is an actress/singer, grinding out a living in Los Angeles. Great song choice for her. Alicia is worried that Lilli could miss the emotional connection. This is a deceptively hard song to sing. In moments, Lilli fell out of the pocket, but overall it’s a jazzy, soulful performance. She’s got great stage presence too. Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=525Jufyv7cw

Gwen calls Ashley’s sound “familiar.” She appreciates Lilli’s theatricality. She’d pick Ashley. Adam notes Ashley growth. Adam believes Lilli could win The Voice. Blake would also choose Lilli. Alicia has a hard time. Surprisingly, Alicia Chooses Ashley. She must REALLY want a country singer on her team. Adam and then Blake Steal Lilli. Adam begs. Blake thinks she can win too. Ooh. Adam didn’t push his button in the blinds but Blake did. They bicker. Nevertheless, Lilli Chooses Adam.

Advancing to the Live Playoffs

Chris Blue – Team Alicia
Quizz Swanigan – Team Alicia – Stolen by Team Gwen
Hannah Eyre – Team Adam
Hunter Plake – Team Gwen
Casi Joy – Team Blake
Josh West – Team Adam
Ashley Levin – Team Alicia
Lilli Passero – Team Alicia – Stolen by Team Adam