The Voice 28 Recap: Battles Premiere Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 28 Battle Rounds begin airing on Monday October 13. Each of the coaches–Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg–will pare down their teams, utilizing a giant twist. In addition, Battle Round advisors return.
Former coach, Kelsea Ballerini will aid Team Bublé, another former coach Nick Jonas helps out Team Reba, Lewis Capaldi will team up with his good friend, Team Niall, and Lizzo joins Team Snoop.
For the first time in the history of the show, the coaches WILL NOT pair up the contestants for Battle! Instead, the artists on each team will pair themselves. Each team starts with 12 members, 8 will remain by the end of the round, including 1 steal and 1 save.
The Voice 28 Battles Begin with Celebrity Advisors and a NEW TWIST
Each coach gathers their team together in one spot. There and then, the members HAVE to choose a partner–after being blindsided by news of the new twist.
Yoshihanaa vs Natalia Albertini – You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman by Carole King and Aretha Franklin – Team Snoop
Snoop would not have set these two artists together. It will be difficult to pick between two big voices, he claims. Lizzo arrives. She and Snoop are friends and Yoshi and Natalia are thrilled. The former is a mom, Natalia is a waitress and a nanny. After the first rehearsal, Snoop and Lizzo throw their shoes at the singers. Lizzo feels Yoshi is being under-utilized at the moment. She basically encourages the two to oversing.
Yoshihanaa is in her late 30s and has the retro thing down pat. Natalie is solid, but her voice is thinner and her range not as large. If I could pick my own partner, I’d choose a weaker singer. Just saying. Yoshi is killing it, with her rich tone and rangy adlibs.
Snoop claims to be “in tears.” Niall describes the performance as a “proper old school battle.” He calls Yoshi “flawless.” Reba compliments Natalia’s range. She’d pick Yoshi, comparing her to Aretha. Michael would pick Natalia. Snoop compliments them for taking Lizzo’s notes. – Snoop picks Yoshianaa, Saves Natalia He felt her performance was too good to send her home.
Aaron Nichols vs Daron Lameek – Fool Around and Fell in Love by Elvin Bishop – Team Reba
It’s been five or six years since Nick Jonas appeared as a coach on The Voice. Nick starred in Annie Get Your Gun with Reba years ago. The singers paired up with each other because of their differences. Both are also soulful. Daron sang “All Night Long” for his Blind Audition. He was one of the Commodores. Aaron is married, a father, and a road warrior. Nick suggests that Daron lean into his falsetto. He also suggests the pair add bigger moments. Reba appreciates the pairing, not one she would have made though!
The performance kicks off with Daron’s sweet falsetto. Yes, Aaron’s gritty, gravelly voice is a departure. But the duet works well. However, Aaron’s performance pops compared to the softer-voiced Daron. The harmonies are terrific!
Michael marvels at how the two different singers melded. He’d pick Daron. Snoop feels Daron “killed it.” He appreciated Aaron’s phrasing. He won’t pick! Niall loves Aaron’s rasp and growl. He’d pick him. Reba compares them to “peanut butter and jelly.” Reba picks Aaron, Daron is eliminated
Jazz McKenzie vs Trinity – Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai – Team Bublé
On season 27, Michael won, while Kelsea’s artist came in second. The singers were the last to pick. Uh oh! They are both 4-chair turns. Probably the others on the team were intimidted. Jazz comes from a family of singers. Trinity covered En Vogue for her Blind Audition. She also sings opera. Michael loves the song he picked and has been waiting for the right artists to sing it.
Trinity’s near whistle-tone opens the song. Jazz possesses a sturdy and full R&B voice. But Trinity tosses off the most creative, jazzy ad libs of the two. She manages to stand out. Not the strongest voice, but somehow, Trinity is dominating.
Snoop admires the singers’ great showmanship. Snoop hints that he’ll use his steal. Niall says, “You two brought a different league. I just dislocated a hip.” He also may steal! Reba would choose…she won’t say. Michael loves them both. He’d probably be better off with the jazzy Trinity. However, Michael picks Jazz, but saves Trinity. The other three attempt a steal! Snoop brings out his puppy as an incentive. Oh. Trinity gave Michael the stink eye! But she takes him back – Michael picks Jazz, saves Trinity, Reba, Snoop Niall attempt to steal, Trinity stays with Michael.
Revel Day vs Dustin Dale Gaspard – Too Sweet by Hosier – Team Niall
The two really planned to sing together at one point. Niall and Louis are good pals, meeting over a decade ago. Dustin sings with a heavy rasp, while Revel performs with a huge voice. The singers are both happy with the song choice. Dustin is struggling without his guitar. Nick suggests he pick up the mic. He comes from a rural Cajun community. Louis suggests that Revel try his chest voice. Once again, Nick says he would have not put the two singers together.
Both artists have impressive stage presence. However Revel’s vocal is powerful and charismatic. Dustin is overshadowed on this particular number. His rasp doesn’t quite cut through like it did in his audition. The two build an impressive duet, ending on a big note.
Reba is fascinated by Dustin, calling him “raw but refined,” She’d pick him. Michael calls Dustin one of his favorite voices on the show, but he’d pick Revel because of how he managed singing out of his box. Snoop would pick Dustin. Niall picks Dustin, Revel is eliminated. That’s too bad!
Kanard Thomas vs Kenny Iko – All the Things Your Man Won’t Do by Joe – Team Snoop
The two R&B artists want to perform a song that’s “romantic for the ladies.” Lizzo and Snoop are both all about the oversinging! Kenny was a one-chair turn. Kanard is a returnee from season 16. He won the Comeback digital competition, but then lost before joining a team.
Kenny flirts with Lizzo as he rehearses his part. She calls him a ham who is still working on his thing. She’s very impressed with Kanard. Snoop and Lizzo work with Kenny to improve his performance. Lizzo suggests that Kanard take the chorus up an octave.
Ha ha. Kenny flirts with Reba. He’s a smooth operator, smoother than the superior vocalist Kanard. But in the end, the vocals rule. As the performance progresses, Kanard really shines. However, Kenny’s upper register is gorgeous.
Niall calls Kanard “real slick” and compliments Kenny’s performance prowess. Reba calls the song “dope.” She was impressed by the “confidence level.” Michael felt Kenny missed a little, but was going for it. He calls Kanard’s tone “sweet.” Wow. Snoop picks Kenny! Kanard is eliminated. Snoop purposely chose the better performer. I would have chosen Kanard. Kenny is kinda corny.
Austin Gilbert vs Rob Cole – Honey Bee by Blake Shelton – Team Bublé
Reba hinted she might steal Austin. Michael blocked Rob from Reba. He is a returnee from a former season. Both country artists–they feel it’s a good match. The two are the only country artists on Team Bublé, and are obviously friends as they interact during the performance. Rob believes the song is a better fit for Austin, a 90s guy. Kelsea warns that the last little bit went off the tracks. They have to work on it, she warns.
Austin sings with a rougher tone than Rob, who has a pop-country ready voice. Both are pretty good. It just depends on what a listener prefers. I prefer the character voice that Austin displays. Snoop felt the spirit of Blake Shelton. He loved both singers. Rob had the better vocal, Austin better showmanship, says Snoop. Niall appreciated Austin’s energy, while Rob reminded him of some of his favorite country singers. He would lean towards Rob. Reba would go with Austin, although she’s torn. Michael picks Rob. Oh, this is so Reba can steal Austin. And she does! – Michael picks Rob, Reba steals Austin. He’s balling his eyes out! Aw. Reba is misty as well. She calls him a “cowboy.”
