The Voice 29 Blind Auditions Premiere Recap (VIDEO)
The Voice 29 Battle of Champions presents an all new format for the new season. Veteran coaches and winners Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend are back to win it all.
During the Blind Auditions, the coaches build their teams of 10 artists. This season the coaches compete against each other in the “Triple Turn Competition.” When all three coaches turn and the power is in the artist’s hands, the game is on. The coach that wins the most three-chair turns gains a special advantage in the next round. And NO BLOCKS.
Lucas West – 20 – Benny and the Jets by Elton John
Lucas, a pianist, biggest influences are Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and Elton John. He accompanies himself on Piano. His vocal style is jazzy. He’s obviously a John Legend fan. Adam is the first to turn. John is next. Kelly stays put.
Adam is blown away by how different he is. Kelly felt she didn’t have a chance. Adam and John both won Best New Artist Grammys. Adam calls him “super special.” But Lucas chooses his fellow pianist, John Legend – John and Adam turn, Lucas chooses Team Legend
Alexia Jayy – 31 – (You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman.
She was a single mom, but she met a guy with a kid and they blended their families. Kelly hits her button immediately for Alexia’s soulful voice. Adam and John both follow. It’s a triple turn. Alexia’s soulful contralto has a bit of rasp. It’s sturdy and strong.
John thinks she has raw ability and begs her to john his team. Adam makes his case against the two people she’ll probably choose between. Adam makes a lame attempt to win her over. Alexia’s 9 year old son joins her on stage. Kelly mentions that she sang the song in competition, and she knows what it takes. Ha. Her kid loves Maroon 5. John just engineered his own demise, asking the kid to name his favorite. Triple turn, Alexia chooses Team Adam. Wow. I thought she’d choose Kelly.
Julia Golden – 19 – Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter
Julia’s a country singer, which I didn’t expect. Her tone is pleasant, but not spectacular. The coaches don’t move to hit their buttons. Finally, John hits his button, and then Kelly at the last minute.
John admires her voice’s beautiful texture. Kelly sang along. Julia reminds her of Leann Womack. She feels entitled to the country artists. A clip airs of Reba McEntire swearing that John can mentor country singers. She calls Reba to yell about the video. Adam weighs in–he endorses Kelly. In the end, of course, John and Kelly turn, Julia picks Team Kelly.
Abigayle Oakley – 25 – Call Your Girlfriend by Robyn
All three coaches hit their buttons fast for Abigayle’s sweet, pretty tone as she accompanies herself on acoustic guitar. Maybe they turned too fast. Abigayle doesn’t demonstrate much in the way of dynamics. Her delivery is somewhat dull.
Adam believes she has a “special thing.” Kelly calls her head voice “sad and pretty.” Abigayle is a fan of indie musicians. Kelly suggests she choose unexpected song choice Both of Abigayle’s parents are musicians. John believes singer-songwriters have a place on The Voice. Kelly mentions that she won the show with folkies Girl Named Tom. Triple Turn, Abigayle picks Team Kelly
Landon Price – 17 – Glory by Common and John Legend
Landon sang in church and performs in a school drum line. Oops. John kinda hates when contestants cover his songs. Landon is a sophisticated singer for a teen. Definitely, he sounds older. It’s taking a minute for the coaches to turn. And they don’t turn. It’s a surprise. He deserved a turn. John compliments Landon’s audition. The coaches are all mad they didn’t hit the button. They beg him to return.
Jonah Mayor – 31 – Il Mondo
Currently, he sings with a 90’s boy band tribute. He’s the group’s sex symbol, he says. He’ll sing in Italian for his Blind Audition. He sings in a pop-opera style, which excites Kelly, cause she hits her button very fast. Opera singers usually don’t last long on this show. Adam hits his button next.
Jonah is a comedian, rattling off song lyrics to the coaches Adam loves his stage presence. John calls his performance “gorgeous.” Kelly compares Jonah to Josh Groban. Jonah admits that he wants to showcase “different things.” Adam and Kelly turn, Jonah picks Team Kelly.
Bay Simpson – 26 – The Waiting by Tom Petty
He’s related to Elvis Presley. His mom’s dad’s great aunt is Elvis’ grandma…or something. So a distant cousin. I expected him to sing some throwback rock n’ roll. But instead he goes back to the 80’s to pick a popular pop rock song. His voice is pleasant but does not have much oomf. At the last minute, Adam hits his button. Bay shares about growing up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. His parents are in music too. – Only Team Adam turned
Liv Ciara – 16 – (we can’t be friends) wait for love by Ariana Grande
Liv auditioned for season 28, but got no turns. The coaches suggested she come back, and she did. She’s been working on connecting during a performance. She performs with her dad in a cover band.
This time around, Liv sings an emotional ballad that serves as a showcase for her pretty voice. Kelly and Adam turn right away. Liv breaks down at the end. Adam feels she connected to the song the entire time. Kelly gushes that she LOVES what she did. The two bond instantly. Kelly brags that she won a competition show as a teenager (she was 19 when she won American Idol). Adam and Kelly turn, Liv picks Team Kelly
Aaron Lavigne – 43 – Feels Like the First Time by Foreigner
After seeing the musical Rent, Aaron knew what he wanted to do so he moved to New York City. He booked a tour of rent, and then got cast in a bunch of musicals. He’s carved out a successful career as a Broadway actor. However, he’s ready to step out as a solo artist.
His song choice is perfect for a singer with a big belting voice. Although, the Foreigner version blows this one away. It takes a minute for the coaches to turn. Kelly hits her button near the end, followed by John.
Adam (like me) found himself comparting Aaron’s version to the original, which is why he did not hit his button. Kelly reminds him that she hit her button first. She calls him “bold.” John notes a gentleness to his voice. He had to be convinced that his voice cut through. John and Aaron are both from Ohio and BOTH played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Ultimately, though, he picks Kelly. It’s the correct choice, I believe. She understands theatricality. John and Kelly turn, Aaron picks Team Kelly.
AJ Robinson – 14 – Watermelon Moonshine by Lainey Wilson
The artist is heard before he is finally seen by the viewers at home. AJ, a pleasant country singer, gets John to turn, and only John to turn. Gosh, AJ is still wearing braces! He’s only 14! TOO young. He should have waited to audition. Now he’s got John for a coach and will probably get ditched by him pretty quickly. He’s a hella underdeveloped talent at this point in his life.
In his video package, AJ mentions that he was born the year the show started. That would be 2011. YIKES. At first he wanted to be a hip hop dancer, but then learned a bunch of instruments. He obviously has raw talent. John turned because he loved his tone. Only Team Legend turned.
Jeremy Keith – 40 – You Are My Lady by Freddie Jackson
Recently, he sang with an R&B group from the 90s, and sang backgrounds for years. Now he wants to debut as a solo artist. Although his voice is sweet and smooth, Jeremy is for sure a throwback type artist. Can he tackle contemporary material? John returns first, followed by Adam and then Kelly. Triple turn!
John calls his tone “silky smooth.” Adam admits John is the best singer, but he touts his long experience on The Voice (although he hasn’t won that much!) Kelly has great respect for background singers. She believes Jeremy can sing anything. “I think you could win this show,” she says. John offers to sing “Ordinary People” with Keith, The duet is very, very nice. WHOA JEREMY PICKS ADAM. Kinda crazy! Adam has two triple turns. Keith loves Adam’s music and hopes he brings something new out of him – Triple Turn, Keith picks Team Adam.
