The Voice season 17 Knockouts continue tonight with coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Gwen Stefani, and featuring Pop star Taylor Swift serving as “Mega Mentor” for each of the coaches. Each team has ONE steal. But this season–no saves! The stakes are high. Carson Daly hosts.
The Voice 17 Knockouts: Khalea Lynee Vs James Violet (VIDEO)
The Voice Season 17 Contestant List Spoilers: Blinds, Battles, Knockouts
The Voice Season 17 TV Schedule: Blinds, Battles, Knockouts, Lives
Khalea Lynee vs James Violet – Team Legend – John’s goal is for 3 of his singers to be stolen by other teams. It’s true John’s teams are top heavy with talent. But what if another team member wins with one of his castoffs? Hm.
Khalea Lynee – Because You Love Me by Celine Dion – Taylor is full of compliments for Khalea, impressed with how she owns her performance. Khalea dedicates the song to her mom who passed away from ovarian cancer. She wears a puffy white outfit and it’s…distracting. She’s very old fashioned. But, she makes interesting choices. Her phrasing is original and nuanced, in a song a lesser singer would shout through. So far, she’s been a laid back Anita Bake type. Here she really shows her power and range.
James Violet – Stay by Post Malone – John stole James from Gwen–she wanted to save him! He’s an accountant by day. Taylor wants him to meander less, especially on the chorus. Taylor loves her choruses! John advises he finish with a glory note. James has a sweet tone and nice range. There are pitch things here and there, but he makes good choices too–just not as flashy. Khalea is the obvious winner, though.
Gwen laments how James betrayed her. She thinks he oversung a bit, but she’s still a fan. She calls Khalea “effortless.” Kelly gushes over both performances. Blake loves Khalea’s tone and power. He’d pick her. John Picks Khalea James is Eliminated. Wow. James makes a classy exit. He gives total props to Khalea!
Jessie Lawrence vs Kyndal Inskeep – Team Gwen – Gwen calls them both “emotional singers.” It’s why she paired them together.
Kyndal Inskeep – Elastic Heart by Sia – Gwen blocked Blake from Kyndal. Sia sent Gwen the song to sing! Sia wound up recording it herself. Kyndal struggled as the only step kid in a big family. Taylor says she’s got “quirk and control” and a beautiful tone. Focus on building the song up to triumph, she says. Keep it simple, Gwen advises. Kyndal is growing on me. This is a great song choice. It allows her to reveal emotional complexity. Her tone is full of dark textures. That chorus is tricky and she nailed it both technically and emotionally.
Jessie Lawrence – Dancing with a Stranger – He grew up in group homes. Music was a “safe” escape. Gwen saved him during the Battles. Gwen and Taylor both advise him to bring out his personality. “You’ve got the vocal,” says Gwen. “Just more of you,” says Taylor. I like Jessie’s earnestness and positive vibe. But this performance is unremarkable–from his song choice to vocal delivery. Kyndal so won this!
Kelly compliments Jessie for being raspy and breathy in all the right spots. She thinks Kyndal sang the hell out of the song, and loves the broken side of Kyndal’s voice. But feels her vocal style is too similar to Sia. Blake agrees with Kelly. Although, he compliments her pitch and control and would pick her. John didn’t like Jessie’s song choice. He disagrees with Kelly and Blake–he feels Kyndal did her own thing. I agree with John! Gwen Picks Kyndal. Jessie is Eliminated
Joana Martinez vs Ricky Duran – Team Blake – “They’re both explosive,” Blake explains about his choice to put these two together. Whatever that means. These are two highly pimped singers. Obviously one will be stolen.
Joana Martinez – California Dreamin’ by Mamas & Papas – Joana is only 15, but sings like she’s 40. Taylor gives tips on stage presence, how to use her hands during a performance, etcetera. Taylor encourages her to work the stage. “Your phenomenal,” says Taylor. Joana’s tone is like warm honey–thick and velvety. Her approach to a song is shockingly mature. Her pitch is so good. The kiddos are usually wobbly. Not Joana.
Ricky Duran – She Talks to Angels by Black Crowes – Ricky chose the song, because during Battle rehearsals, mentor Darius Rucker compared him to Chris Robinson. It’s also his girlfriend’s favorite song. Blake actually suggests he sing with LESS finesse aka runs. The song demands a strong vocal attack, he says. Taylor compares him to Bruce Springsteen. After a few suggestions from Taylor on how to handle his guitar, Ricky decides to chuck it altogether. Not a favorite performance from Ricky. I’m waiting for him to change up the arrangement or do something different. Despite the comparison, he can’t touch Chris Robinson. On the other hand, Joana did her own thing. I pick her to win this Knockout.
John loves Ricky’s stage presence and tone. He would choose him. Gwen was impressed with how Joana changed up an old song. She’d pick her. Kelly liked both singers, but she is impressed with Ricky’s experience. She’d go with him. Ricky is Blake’s only 4 chair turn. Blake Picks Ricky And at the last minute, Gwen Steals Joana. FINALLY GWEN HAS HER LITTLE GIRL.
Advancing to the Playoffs
Khalea Lynee – Team Legend
Kyndal Inskeep – Team Gwen
Ricky Duran – Team Blake
Joana Martinez – Team Gwen Steals from Team Blake
Eliminated
James Violet – Team Legend
Jessie Lawrence – Team Gwen
