The Voice season 17 Blind Auditions continue with returning coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. In the wake of Adam Levine’s abrupt departure from the show, Blake gal-pal Gwen Stefani takes a seat on the panel. Carson Daly returns as host. We’ll be live blogging all the Blind Audition performances right here.
The Voice Season 17 Contestant List Spoilers: Blinds, Battles, Knockouts
Where we left off last night…who will Cali Wilson choose as her coach? Cali Picks Blake
Injoy Fountain – 29 – Wichita KS – 7 Rings by Ariana Grande – She’s a single mother hoping to change her life by nabbing a spot on a team. She thanks “Pat Smith,” the woman who raised her after her 16 year old mother was unable to do so. After Injoy graduated from high school, she auditioned for the musical Rent which took her to Scotland. However, when she returned to New York she discovered she was pregnant. In her performance, she raps and sings which can be dicey. But she’s a pretty good rapper, actually, and pulls off a few big notes. Kelly missed out on a rapper earlier, so Kelly smashes her button, followed by Gwen. Gwen mentions that she mashed up a Sound of Music song herself once. Injoy knows because she has the record. Kelly frowns. Heh. Blake jokes that he does the song in his show. He knows that he doesn’t stand a chance. I thought she might go for Gwen, but nope Injoy Picks Kelly
Jordan Chase – 19 – Pensacola FL – Makin’ Me Look Good Again – For some reason, the camera keeps Jordan in the dark as he begins singing with no biographical information at all. He has a soulful raspy voice. Nice, but nothing special. Hm. Blake hits his button, followed by Gwen at the last minute. So the thing is, Gwen will hit her button last minute if Blake is the only turn. Because manufactured relationship drama. The singer grew up in New Orleans, but after Hurricane Katrina, devastated their home, the family moved away. Jordan loved growing up in New Orleans, and became depressed. A dog named Toby helped. Then, music was his escape. He’s been on Youtube for 11 months, and according to Jordan his channel “took off.” Gwen babbles on about knowing what it’s like to be a 19 year old boy (???). Kelly can’t stop laughing. In the end, Jordan Picks Blake
Dane & Stephanie – 21 Bloomfield NJ – Angela – Twin Brother and sister are a duo. They were super close as kids. Oh. Dane is a transgender man. Stephanie supported him. “He deserves to be happy, no matter what,” she says. His mom and dad are also really supportive! Dane’s voice is still changing from hormones, he says. Their sweet harmonies give off a Tegan & Sara vibe going. Like Kelly says, family harmonies are special. John hits his button, Blake is next. PICK JOHN. He loved the blend of their harmonies. He has directed choirs and would love to have a duo on his team. Blake admits to being clueless, but mentions he brought a duo to the finale (The Swon Brothers FYI). Wisely, Dane & Stephanie Pick John
James Violet – 20 – Syracuse UT – Sweet Creature by Harry Styles – He’s been told his voice sounds “buttery.” A man bun dude, James has been growing his hair for five years. He loves thrift shopping. Utah is beautiful, but he moved to Los Angeles to follow his musical dreams. After busking on the streets for awhile to no avail, he decided to return home to Utah. The industry is too cutthroat, he says. I don’t know if I’d describe his voice as “buttery,” but his tone is distinct. VERY pretty. Kelly hits her button first. When he does a few cool vocal runs at the end, Blake and Gwen turn. Gwen wonders if he’s a songwriter. He is. She calls his voice “soothing and relaxed.” She never heard that record? Really? Kelly chimes in. She totally knows it. She calls his voice “a nice glass of wine.” When Blake says his voice takes him out to the woods, Kelly makes a Deliverance reference. Random! These antics are verging on the bizarre. Mini cliff hanger! After the break we learn James Picks Gwen. Gwen thinks her pitch went off the rails, but less so than the others. She has a point.
Jordan McCullough – 20 – Murfreesboro TN – Let Me Love You – He loves his sparkly jacket, which he wears everywhere. He was bullied for his size growing up. Music helped him gain confidence and feel good about himself. He’s never performed outside of church. That’s never a good sign. And we’re getting a montaged version of his performance. He has a nice mellow style, but it’s unremarkable. Even hitting a high note doesn’t move a coach to turn. I’m a little surprised. Teams are filling up I guess. John thought it felt scattered and needed to be more disciplined. True, it didn’t come together until the end. – No Turns
Preston C Howell – 14 – Miami FL – Dream A Little Dream of Me – His dad sang the standards to him as he grew up. He loves to dance on stage! His voice is really unique, but he sounds just under pitch to me? He’s SO young. It’s hard for me to get behind the youngins. But I can understand why he’d elicit a 4 chair turn. His light, jazzy tone is very different from your average Voice singer. Dang, he looks older than 14, for sure. Gwen notes her 14 year old son’s voice is still cracking all over the place. Preston’s hero is Michael Buble. Kelly loves his originality. She thinks he could go to the finale. John calls it an “audacious undertaking.” Gwen demonstrates her standards chops With a song. NOT BAD! And now it’s time for Kelly to blow her off the stage with “Stuff Like That There.” JUST SAYING. Blake calls his voice “timeless.” WAIT FOR IT. Blake brags that Buble is his BFF. We knew that was coming. Preston Picks John. Good choice. Not surprising!
