The Voice 12 Recap – Live Playoffs 2 – Live Blog (VIDEOS)

THE VOICE -- "Live Playoffs" Episode 1214B -- Pictured: Brennley Brown -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)

The Voice season 12 is LIVE ya’ll. This week the Live Playoffs bring back real time voting. Yay? Tonight, Team Adam Levine and Team Gwen Stefani perform for your votes. Last night, it was Team Adam Levine and Team Alicia Keys

Click for Tonight’s Song Spoilers

Here are The Voice official instructions for voting. It begins when host Carson Daly gives the signal. Tweeting #VoicePlayoffsContestantName counts as a vote for that particular singer. Only ONE tweet per singer. However, re-tweeting votes from multiple accounts also works. Additionally, fans can vote a total of ten times for each contestant on the Voice smart phone App.

Vote for your favorites in The Voice 12 Playoffs 2 Polls

The Coach Comeback contestants have been revealed. Rocker Johnny Gates returns to Team Gwen and Johnny Hayes comes back to Team Adam.

Two contestants will move on to the live finals. Each coach will pick a third team member to advance. By the end of Tuesday’s live show, the Top 12 will be revealed. Get your The Voice App and twitter account ready. Let’s go!

Johnny Gates – Team Gwen Stefani – Hands to Myself by Selena Gomez – Gwen brought Johnny back because she believes he has real showmanship. Johnny wants to be a front man! Gwen uses Sting and Michael Hutchence as sexy examples to follow. Oh. Back in 2010 Johnny and Blake were labelmates? I expected to totally hate this. But I don’t. The song translates to pop/rock pretty well, actually. The lyrics are dumb, but musically it works. Johnny really is a likeable performer. Alicia thinks Johnny is the male version of Gwen. She likes his energy. Gwen loves his incredible spirit. “You’re a great frontman. So creative with songs.” She begs America to vote for Johnny. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE69ae2dp14

Carson announces that Shania Twain will mentor next week.

Troy Ramey – Team Gwen Stefani – A Case of You by Joni Mitchell – Troy is happy Gwen chose the song because Joni Mitchell was his late father’s favorite artist. This is a good one, this song. I’m in the minority, I know. But I love Troy’s voice–the way he plays with plays with melody and his emotional delivery. His tone is like a rich red wine. I’m also digging his rasp on the chorus. Gwen talked about Troy using his head voice, but he doesn’t seem to be doing that tonight at all? Ha. He’s doing his own thing. Adam calls Troy intriguing and powerful, but he noted some self-doubt. Gwen disagrees. She felt he conquered the melody in a tasteful way. “Vote for this guy!” she says. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN-VJsIiex4

Quizz Swanigan – Team Gwen Stefani – My Girl by the Temptations – Quizz says he lives and breathes Motown. He’s totally excited about his new in-ears. Do you have them too? he asks Gwen. So young, so innocent. Quizz has an actual crush on a girl. He relates to the song. Oh. He’s 14 now. For me, Quizz is the male version of a pageant bot. He’s spent his short life imitating his heroes on stage, but has yet to develop his own style. He does some funky things with the melody. There a key change, and some ill-advised ad libs. He stalks around the stage while he sings. That was kind of weird, to be honest. Former coach Alicia appreciates his “finesse.” She loved the stage “prowling.” Hm. No, that was odd. She appreciated the liberties he took with the song. Gwen calls him magical. “Vote for this guy!” I guess Gwen wants ya’ll to vote for everyone on her team. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjfoV4ePWVc

Brennley Brown – Team Gwen Stefani – Fly by Maddie & Tae – Some of her schoolmates had no idea she sang. Uhm. But she was on America’s Got Talent? So? Country music is my heart, she says. Gwen thinks the song is hopeful rather than sad. She’s pulling off a 70’s era country flower-child look. Very pretty. Her voice is sweet and delicate, until she busts out on the chorus. She holds a real long note–with a reverb assist. Still a little underbaked, but I think she’s got a good chance to advance. Former coach, Blake, says letting her go was a mistake. But she’s in the right place with Gwen as her coach. “You’re right!” says Gwen. “All I wanted was a little girl to hang out with,” she’s. Uhm. Wut? Leaving the stage, it’s like Brennley suddenly remembers where she is and flips out a little. That was odd. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZa8p5cTos

Don’t forget! You can vote for EVERY member of Team Gwen NOW. Keep voting.

JChosen – Team Gwen Stefani – Nothing Compares 2 U by Prince – His mother had a stroke earlier this year, but she’s doing much better. Gwen chose the song because Prince died a year ago and she feels it’s a song that J can connect to emotionally. Intimidated by the song, Gwen suggests J pull back on the runs. This is a VERY challenging performance. He’s having pitch problems. And it’s like sometimes, he’s not sure where to take it both vocally and emotionally. Obviously, it’s a song he would not have picked for himself. J lacks his usual stage confidence here. Gwen notes the song was hard. “You are so magical and so gifted…you did an incredible job.” Once again she says, “Vote for this guy!” –  Download at iTunes

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

Hunter Plake – Team Gwen Stefani – Elastic Heart by Hunter Plake – Hunter has charted in the 30’s on iTunes–the highest among his fellow contestants. Hunter is my favorite singer on Gwen’s team. He really is special. Gwen feels he’s not letting viewers in emotionally. “Sia is a friend of mine,” Gwen name drops. He changes up the melody, turning the song into a moody meditation. Where Sia’s version is sung like a declaration of heartbreak, Hunter’s rendition is more a rumination. Spellbinding. Former coach Adam says that he’s someone who truly reflects what’s going on in the culture. “You are supremely talented.” He thinks Hunter could win. Gwen loves his fragility. “It was so good. I can’t believe you’re on my team.” – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-LQyVg-uzQ

Voting closes after the commercial break. Vote now.  And now voting is closed for Team Gwen. Team Adam voting is open.

Johnny Hayes – Team Adam Levine – Ain’t too Proud to Beg by the Temptations – Johnny cries when he learns he’s coming back. At the time, I couldn’t believe it when Johnny was eliminated. But with hindsight, it was a ploy to bring him right back. Like the cat with 9 lives (remember, he didn’t get a turn season 11). The song choice and presentation is kinda corny? But there’s no denying Johnny can sang and has a ton of confidence on stage. I’d love to see him tackle a contemporary song. He reminds me a little of American Idol’s Taylor Hicks.  Adam is so proud of his crazy journey. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHBnPhR5JbA

Hanna Eyre – Team Adam Levine – Skyscraper by Demi Lovato – She goes to a performing arts high school. She’s. So. Bubbly. And soooo excited to show America what she can do with this song. She calls herself an R&B/pop singer. I wonder if young Hanna has ever had a bad thing happen in her life. The quiet parts are breathy. She sings the belty parts with relish and SO MANY PITCHY SPOTS. Hanna is very enthusiastic, but she has no vocal control. Get the girl a few voice lessons first. Only 15 years old, she’s not ready. Adam calls her the sweetest human being that ever lived. Her voice “scares” him. Me too, but not for the same reason, I suspect. He acknowledges in a roundabout way that her voice is uncontrolled. He wants to keep working with her to tame “the beast.” Erm. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl2rXaUPogY

Josh West – Team Adam Levine – More Than a Feeling by Boston – Oh dude. You’re a young guy. Get your head out of the 70’s. Adam suggests that he take the key down a half step. It’s a challenging song vocally. But as a well-loved anthem, expectations are high. Oh my. This is not good. It’s too high for his range. His intonation is a fail. Caterwauling is us.  Shot of Adam. Just staring. So much shouting. NOT the right song choice. Adam calls him a “bad ass.” Carson says “Your work is done tonight.” Probably forever, based on that.   – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLgVXS4P0X8

Mark Isaiah – Team Adam Levine – All Time Low by Jon Bellion – Mark is a little overwhelmed by the attention. “Teen Vogue wrote about me!” Adam thinks Mark is radio ready. Actually, Mark is the most pop radio ready of this bunch. Ugh, Adam is choosing the worst songs for his team, and Mark’s pick is no exception. He stumbles all over the the annoying “low low low low la low” chorus. I mean. A million pop songs to choose from and Adam picks this? Mark struggled with that, but he’s got a ton of potential. Gwen thinks he did a really great job of being “you.” Adam says, “Mark that was great….but give me more time with this guy.” Oh. Acknowledging that the performance had problems. Begging for votes. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1j0np19AhQ

Lilli Passero – Team Adam Levine – It’s Too Late by Carole King – She still works as a server at a restaurant. Adam believes what she sings. Hey. That’s because she’s an actress first. Lilli really presents herself like a pro. Her delivery is effortless. Beautiful tone and phrasing. Her rendition of this classic is smooth and jazzy. But like her fellow team members, she’s got a few pitch problems. Is there something wrong with the singer’s in-ears tonight or what? Overall, a solid job, though. Alicia loves that Lilli never breaks her gaze. Adam calls Lilli “world class…you guys need to vote for this singer.” – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo2SGDZRSao

Jesse Larson – Team Adam Levine – Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder – A guitarist primarily, Jesse admits that singing is something relatively new for him. Stevie Wonder is one of Jesse’s heros. He delivers a musical, soulful version of the song. He scats along with his guitar playing. I was expecting a big guitar solo. That would have really made the song. Adam is standing on his seat. Adam calls it “the best vocal of the night.” He calls him “a wizard from another planet…like a white Cee Lo.” Man. Adam is REALLY overselling this performance. It was solid, but c’mon.  – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TGSnOhXZic

Continue to vote for Team Adam. But now, it’s time for Team Gwen results. Carson asks Alicia which two singers she would choose to advance–Troy and Hunter. Those were my favorites too. And America saved Brennley Brown. America also saved Hunter Plake. Gwen gives each of her singers a pep talk. After hemming and hawing, Gwen saves Troy Ramy. AND GWEN MAKES THE CORRECT CHOICE. I thought she’d pick Johnny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR6c523FVAc

After the break it’s time to reveal Team Adam results. There’s not much time for Adam’s pep talk. He wishes the best for everyone. America saved Jesse Larson! America also saved…Lilli Passero! Adam saved…Mark Isaiah. Considering how he begged America to vote for him, that’s not surprising. Also, I suspect Adam wants Mark on his team because he’s young and marketable. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI_c0X1KV-k

The Voice 12 Top 12

Brennley Brown – Team Gwen – America saved.
Hunter Plake – Team Gwen – America saved.
Troy Ramey – Team Gwen – Gwen saved.
Jesse Larson – Team Adam – America saved
Lilli Passero – Team Adam – America saved
Mark Isaiah – Team Adam – Adam saved

Lauren Duski – Team Blake – America saved.
Aliyah Moulden – Team Blake – America saved.
TSoul – Team Blake – Blake Saved
Chris Blue – Team Alicia – America Saved
Vanessa Ferguson – Team Alicia – America Saved
Stephanie Rice – Team Alicia – Alicia Saved

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!