The Voice season 12 FINAL night of Knockouts air tonight. Team members go head to head with a solo song of their own choosing. Their coach picks which singer will move on to next week’s 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.
Alicia has the sole remaining steal. Twenty contestants will remain by the end of the episode.
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 (24) 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.
Andrea Thomas vs Lauren Duski – Team Blake Shelton
Andrea Thomas – Cry by Faith Hall – Her grandfather hosted a Texas gospel TV show and she also used to sing backup for Carrie Underwood. We see a snip of her singing with the American Idol winner. In rehearsal, Andrea hits a big high note. Blake is impressed, but warns her that she’s sharp. Andrea has a huge voice. Actually though, she’s kind of a Carrie clone. During the performance, she goes for the high note, but doesn’t hit it cleanly. Ouch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65fanjLTIiE
Lauren Duski – Team Blake Shelton – When You Say Nothing at All by Alison Krauss – Her manager was diagnosed with ALS. Now, she’s her caretaker. Interesting. Lauren thinks emotional songs are her sweet spot. Blake warns her to stay in the pocket. She’s not rangey and she hit a few flat spots. Lauren’s style is plaintive, but she has moments where she hits that “emotional sweet spot” she talked about in rehearsal. – Download from iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoJvv1RAYFU
Alicia felt Lauren was more emotional. But felt both were good. Gwen can’t believe Andrea hasn’t made a record already. She’d choose her. Adam says Andrea impresses him, but Lauren comforts him. He’d go with Lauren. Blake is sure Alison Krauss will watch the performance and be proud. Blake Chooses Lauren. This was our first REAL look at Andrea. She had been montaged TWICE previously.
Jack Cassidy vs Vanessa Ferguson – Team Alicia
Jack Cassidy – Unsteady by X Ambassadors – Jack is a member of the famous Cassidy family as in Uncle Sean and David and grandma Shirley Jones. Both Vanessa and Jack will play the piano. He’s hitting some sour notes in this performance. He’s singing his heart out, but he needs to develop more control over his dynamics and phrasing. I can’t with Jack’s harsh tone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9dKWwLnaLA
Vanessa Ferguson – If I Were Your Woman by Gladys Knight – Vanessa is an experienced performer compared to Jack. She’s also engaged to be married, but putting off the nuptials for now. Alicia advises Vanessa to sell the desperation. And boy she does. WOW. This is the singer’s most traditional cover and she’s killing it. Her raspy tone is well served by this 70’s soul classic. Phrasing, tone, emotion, all spot on. So far, the performance of the night. – Download from iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqDvUAzo1ow
“You knocked me out,” Gwen says to Vanessa. Adam notes that Jack’s performance was off. He gives it to Vanessa. Blake likes that Jack cut loose, but calls Vanessa “remarkable.” Alicia doesn’t think we’ve seen the best from Jack, but Vanessa rose to the occasion. Therefore, Alicia Chooses Vanessa To say that was the correct decision is an understatement.
Jesse Larson vs Davina Leone – Team Adam Levine
Davina Leone – Toxic by Britney Spears – Davina has found success on Youtube. Young Davina is a little nervous going against Jesse. This is the cliched song choice of a YouTube artist. She has breath and pitch issues and seems really nervous. The performance has some nice phrasing, though. She unleashes the big vocals on the last chorus. The arrangement is good. But unfortunately, the vocal wasn’t on point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NG2NkKH6Xw
Jesse Larson – The Letter by Box Tops/Joe Cocker – Jesse comes from a musical family, he builds guitars. He’s also a family man. His song choice is dedicated to his wife. Oh, he namechecked the Box Tops instead of Joe Cocker. Good man! He sounds a little nasally on this song, but he’s a skilled guitar player and his vocal is solid like an oak. The performance ends strong–big howling vocals. Jesse is more experienced and so much more confident. This is no contest. – Download from iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4IZEnk8Lq0
Blake says Jesse “sang the crap out of that song dude.” Alicia loved how Davina “decomposed” that song. Yeah, the arrangement was the best thing about that. She wants to feel more emotion from Jesse. Gwen thinks Davina did a great job. She calls Jesse “commanding” and “magical” and thanks him for “slapping us around.” Adam compares Jesse to CeeLo Green. Adam Chooses Jesse
Mark Isaiah vs Malik Davage – Team Adam Levine
Mark Isaiah – Love Yourself by Justin Bieber – This Knockout was montaged. We got a good clip of Mark’s performance, but nothing from Malik. – Adam chooses Mark. – Download from iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXTrLiL69iE
Malik Davage – Rock with You by Michael Jackson – However, there are full performances at The Voice YouTube channel. Malik was the singer who won the battle with Kawan Debose. If you’ll remember, Adam was really unhappy with their work ethic. I’m not surprised Malik was eliminated without much fanfare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3vZ3VsdvWE
JChosen vs Brandon Royal – Team Gwen Stefani
Brandon Royal – Redemption Song by Bob Marley – He grew up in the US Virgin Islands and is a firefighter. He sang “Jammin” in his Blind Audition. Brandon chose Gwen because of the reggae connection. He chose the song to pay tribute to his hero. The song is performed acoustically. Brandon turns in a respectful, sensitive rendition of a classic. He’s a skilled singer. But, unfortunately, this is a very competitive matchup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41H_RWTuYXQ
JChosen – Without You by David Guetta ft Usher – Oh no. After the Battle rounds, his mother had a stoke and was left paralyzed and speechless. Gwen felt she saw a side of J she hadn’t seen before. I’m going to nitpick here–I wish his enunciation was better. But having said that, this singer knows how to deliver a tasty run without overdoing it. His tone and falsetto are lovely. I don’t know. If you’re comparing the performances, I prefered Brandon. Although, J has been impressive throughout the competition. – Download from iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9bdmHxaGyw
Adam would pick J. Blake wished Brandon had sung something bigger. He would choose J because he pushed his own limits. Alicia loved Brandon’s tenderness. She calls J’s vocal “pure.” She thought Brandon made the song modern for the younger generation. Nevertheless, Gwen chooses JChosen I prefered Brandon tonight, but over all, JChosen has had the stronger run so far.
Aliyah Moulden vs Caroline Sky – Team Blake Shelton
Aliyah Moulden – Team Blake Shelton – Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood – Fifteen year old Aliyah chose the song to prove her versatility to Blake. She’s never had a boyfriend, but she’s confident she’ll be able to connect to the song. She confesses to nerves. This isn’t a great song choice for the young singer. She’s shaky in her lower register. And yes. She’s nervous. This song is too big for her. Shouty McShouterson with a side of flat notes. Nope. – Download from iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8y0AYXpyE0
Caroline Sky – At Last by Etta James – Sixteen year old Caroline sang in her family band. She calls herself an “old soul” musically. Blake stole her from Gwen. He advises Caroline to enunciate well. He’s impressed she’d pick such a tough song. I’m not crazy about the arrangement. Caroline has so much potential, but she might have bitten off a little more than she could chew. The song has some really nice moments, though. Her phrasing is good, and will only get better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUhlp3zVhNc
Alicia really liked them both. “It’s a tricky choice,” she says. Gwen felt Aliyah’s performance showed her mature side. And Caroline proved her versatility. She’d choose Caroline. Adan was impressed with their ambitious choices. He’d pick Aliyah. Blake thought it was Aliyah’s best performance yet, therefore, Blake Chooses Aliyah.
The last performance of the Knockouts: Obviously, Alicia steals one of the two next performers.
Stephanie Rice vs Troy Ramey – Team Gwen Stefani
Stephanie Rice – Safe & Sound by Taylor Swift – Stephanie is the singer whose family disowned her after she came out as gay. She feels the most “safe and sound” when she’s singing. Gwen feels she chose the right song. Don’t be afraid to hit the high notes and smile in spots, she says. Sometimes Stephanie messes too much with the melody. But her whispery tone is unique and she sings with deep, deep feeling. It’s a very emotional performance. – Download from iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpxME3hFd4A
Troy Ramey – Chandelier by Sia – He’s worked a ton of different day jobs. But all Troy wants is to do music. All four coaches turned for him. He’s not into typical pop song, but he feels Sia is not typical. Gwen is afraid that he changed the melody too much. Learn the song exactly as Sia sings it, then change it. Gwen is much happier with his next rehearsal. Troy isn’t a fancy riffer. But nevertheless, he’s expressive in a deeply soulful and bluesy way. His deliver is so simple yet POWERFU. He knows how to deliver a song without fuss. – Download from iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fq-cjqENpA
Adam would choose Stephanie, but couldn’t let go of Troy. Blake calls them both “intense.” They both did great, but he would give it to Troy. Alicia loves that Stephanie tells her own truth. She’s impressed that Troy made “Chandelier” his own. Gwen chooses Troy! I’m a little surprised. But then, of course. Alicia Steals Stephanie
REMEMBER: Tomorrow night is a clip show. There will be no live blog.
Advancing to the Live Playoffs
Lauren Duski – Team Blake
Vanessa Ferguson – Team Alicia
Jesse Larson – Team Adam
Mark Isaiah – Team Adam
JChosen – Team Gwen
Aliyah Moulden – Team Blake
Troy Ramey – Team Gwen
Stephanie Rice – Team Gwen – Stolen by Team Alicia
Eliminated
Andrea Thomas – Team Blake
Jack Cassidy – Team Alicia
Davina Leone – Team Adam
Malik Davage – Team Adam
Brandon Royale – Team Gwen
Caroline Sky – Team Blake
