It’s The Voice finale week. Michelle Chamuel, Danielle Bradbery and The Swon Brothers will sing for YOUR votes tonight. On Tuesday, The Voice winner will be revealed. I’ll be liveblogging it all right here.
Only the finalists INDIVIDUAL songs count for votes! One download per person. There’s none of that f*ckery that won the competition for Cassadee Pope last year. Remember when the finale counted EVERY download ever cast for a contestant? And fans were allowed to download multiples? Good times. Also…no 10x bonus this week.
Adam Levine declared Danielle Bradbery the winner. She also got the pimp spot for a song that didn’t really merit the placement. I would have closed the night with the Usher/Michelle duet, which was the best performance of the night.
Conventional wisdom says Danielle is a shoe in for the win, but I’m not convinced. Country vote splitting could be a factor. Michelle is the underdog and sometimes they win…but more on that tomorrow.
A couple of other thoughts:
- USHER RULES. I could watch him perform all day and all night. And the dude is a total chameleon. He’s soulful, sexy and can rock out with the best of them. He’s the only coach who can pull off being paired with any of the others–from Blake’s country twang, to Adam’s pop rock to Shakira’s Latin style. My admiration for him continues to grow. I will be sad to see him go.
- Ms Michelle Chamuel is EVERYTHING. She’s not the best singer left, but she’s the only one left with artistry and a unique style. She makes the songs she sings her own. Ain’t nothing karaoke about that chick.
- Danielle Bradbery is cute, likeable and a beautiful singer. But she needs a few more years before she can tell a convincing story through song.
- I know I’m supposed to love The Swon Brothers’ nostalgia-fueled performances, but I just don’t. The boys’ vocals are fine, but they are generic and basically sound like the bands they cover. I can’t imagine what kind of original music they’d make.
- Was Shakira the cuter than a basketful of puppies or what, as cheered on each of the finalists–a llittle Oakies flag for the Swons, a big pair of glasses for Michelle and a cowgirl hat for Danielle? Her stanning for each was adorable. She may not be a great mentor, but she’s a likeable and engaging presence on the panel. I’m going to miss her!
First up, let’s relive the Top 3’s journey on The Voice, shall we? We’ve got two hours and LOTS of time to fill! Blake claims that Danielle is ONE OF THE STRONGEST VOCALISTS ON EARTH. Erm. If you say so Blake! It’s BLAKE VS USHER! The Season 4 finals START NOWWWW!
Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Shakira and Usher kick off the show, singing The Beatles classic “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Usher is my favorite on this. I love his voice and he is soooo SEXAY especially when he lets out a soulful howl. Sorry. I have trouble getting behind Shakira’s bleat.
The Swon Brothers – I Can’t Tell You Why by the Eagles – Oh. The Swons are going to unleash their falsetto on us tonight. Gosh I can’t wait. /sarcasm. Actually, this is one Eagles song that doesn’t make me want to poke my eyeballs out. Sorry, not an Eagles fan, particularly. Not gonna lie, Zach’s got a really strong, recordable voice. But these two are pretty bland. They don’t bring anything new to the artists’ sobgs they cover. Oh. There’s Shakira holding a “GO OAKIES” flag. This performance is pleasant, but karaoke. They are going hard for the older demo. But I can’t blame them. It’s working. Usher thinks all that was missing was the 3rd Bee Gee. He mentions that the song is “very familiar to America.” That critique was a little passive aggressive. Shakira is more enthusiastic with her little flag. She likes their falsetto. Adam thinks they did an incredible job. Blake believes it’s the best season of The Voice EVAH. and says the Swons are constantly evolving. (Uhm. Not really. They know who their core audience is and gives them what they want.) – 1-855-864-2301 Sprint Text 1 to 8642 – Download from iTunes
Michelle Chamuel – I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift – Usher introduces the song and explains why he picked it as her “defining moment”. Well, this was a highlight of the season for Michelle and earned her a very high spot on iTunes. And with good reason. Michelle didn’t pick this song for herself. But Usher did good. Her cover is energetic and passionate, elevating the song above the pop trifle it is in the hands of Taylor Swift. Usher gives his girl a standing ovation. Shakira is thrilled Michelle made it to the finals, she loves her energy. Adam feels the energy in the room. It can’t be fabricated, he says. Blake says we watched Michelle turn into a rock star. Usher calls her “the winner” and that the energy and passion she brought to the performance is why he picked the song as her defining moment. – 1-855-864-2302 Sprint Text 2 to 8642 – Download from iTunes
Christina Milian is in the SKYBOX with The Swon Brothers asking them really lame questions like “What is it you love about this experience.” They give a shout out to the people who work behind the scenes, which is a very sweet response.
Blake Shelton and Danielle Bradbery – Timber, I’m Falling in Love by Patti Loveless – Blake took Danielle’s family out to dinner. Apparently, little Danielle would watch The Voice and say “I’d pick Blake as my coach Mom and Dad.” That had to be like, last year. Blake and Danielle sing a love song. HOW TOTES APPROPRIATE UHM NOT. I love the sound of this girl’s voice so much. Her tone is clear as a bell and gorgeous. But just like the Swons, she’s mostly dull. But in her case, it’s not her sound that’s generic, but her inability to connect meaningfully to what she’s singing. We’re spared coaches comments for the duets. Hooray. – 1-855-864-2303 Sprint Text 3 to 8642 Download from iTunes
The Swon Brothers – Danny’s Song by Loggins and Messina – Blake believes the song is the duo’s defining moment because it showed they could strip a song down to its essentials. The performance is sweet and simple and it sold a butt load of iTunes. What could be more heart-stirring than two young guys singing about babies and love? They also sound real purty while doing it. Usher believes they personalized it and it was an amazing performance. Adam got lost in it. And the song brings back great memories. It doesn’t feel like an old song, he says. Blake says it sound like it could be on the radio today–they reinvented it. I wouldn’t go THAT far. It’s nice, but doesn’t deviate all that much from the original. What they had on their side was a song that hasn’t been covered that much in recent years. They introduced the tune to new audiences and struck a strong chord of nostalgia in baby boomers. WIN.– Download from iTunes
Michelle Chamuel – Why by Annie Lennox – Usher says he has found his diamond in the rough. “Who knew that a quirky girl in glasses would have taught me something,” he says. Michelle stares at herself in a stage mirror as she begins to sing. But the reflection is a trick–a film recorded earlier. Because when she turns away, the image stays. Kind of a neat trick, but really distracting and corny. This simple, beautiful song should have been performed with minimal staging. Finally she turns her attention to the audience. A choir of background singers appear behind her. The performance is like a quiet prayer. and really subdued for Michelle, but she gains intensity in the last chorus. It’s a beautiful rendition, but I’m afraid it’s not big enough to stand as a finale song. Shakira is wearing Michelle glasses. Heh. She loves the singer’s humility. Blake is still freaked out by the mirror trick. He liked that her laid back performance showed a different side. Usher felt the mirror brought their relationship full circle – Download from iTunes
Blake Shelton and The Swon Brothers – Celebrity by Brad Paisley – The Swon Brothers and family go out to lunch with Blake. The brothers claim their parents ARE NOT stage parents, despite the fact that their dad ordered them to write a song as punishment for some infraction. Hm. This song takes aim at reality shows. Well, alrighty. “People think you’re cool just ’cause you’re on TV.” YOU SAID IT BLAKE NOT ME. Blake looks so pleased with himself, singing this song. Of course, he wouldn’t be nearly as famous as he is if it weren’t for TV reality. He can’t be that dense that he doesn’t know it. Anywho. This song is a throwaway, but pleasant enough. – Download from iTunes
Danielle Bradbery – Maybe it Was Memphis by Pam Tillis – Blake feels this song is Danielle’s defining moment because it proved she is a great country artist, no matter her young age. This is the song that put Danielle on the map, but more importantly, the song was originally performed so early in the competition, it won’t be fresh in viewers’ minds. It’s possible there are lots of folks who haven’t downloaded it yet. Watch as this song charts higher than the other two reprise songs. Smart. Blake. And for Danielle, Shakira wears a “cowgirl hat” cute. “You are just so amazing, she says, “Atta girl.” Adam repeats that he’s insanely jealous of Blake for snagging Danielle. He compliments her voice, one of the better he’s heard. AND he declares Danielle the winner. “I just met a star on my television screen,” says Blake. He calls her the most important artist to walk across The Voice stage. Uh. – Download from iTunes
Christina Milian interviews the finalists MOMS in the SKYBOX. Gee, what do they want to say to their kids. WE’RE SO PROUD OF YOU. That non-stage mom of The Swons says “No backup plan, guys!” Hardeeharhar.
Now, the finalists all take the stage to sing “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. Oh…the entire Top 16 take the stage! How nice. Welcome home. Did you miss any of them? They sing against an auto-tuned backing track, complete with whistles and HEYS.
Usher and Michelle Chamuel – ”One” by U2 – Usher takes Michelle’s family out to dinner–including her cousin Dave! Michelle’s mom is a Jewish Egyptian refugee. Usher is grateful for the things Michelle taught him. I hope he continues to work with her as he keeps hinting. The two begin the duet, across from each other, surrounded by waving hands. They escape the swaybots to take the stage. This is a pretty awesome duet. The two blend seamlessly in a way I never imagined. That Usher is a pretty versatile dude, himself. The chemistry between the duo is palpable and genuine. A perfect song pick for these two! BFFs FOREVAH YA’LL. – Download from iTunes
Danielle Bradbery – Born to Fly by Sara Evans – Danielle was a shy teenager singing to herself in her room before her mom signed her up. Now she’s a robo-singer! YAY. Danielle felt she needed a BIG song for the finale. This is her first full on uptempo song, says Blake. NEXT WILL BE GRAMMYS he adds. No surprise she gets the pimp spot. This is a ton of fun, but not exactly show stopping or pimp-worthy. The song is appropriate for Danielle and her sunny, level-headed personality. She’s soaring through her upper range. It’s a technically perfect vocal, but I could have done with a little more sass. Usher says Blake is a great coach for her. Adam says her perfection is kind of boring him at this point. I think Adam speaks for us all. He has nothing else to say. Blake says he’s wrapped around her finger like millions of other people. He’s so glad she came to The Voice. – Download from iTunes
