Tonight’s Battles were pretty solid. So far, Season 4 has avoided the epic trainwrecks from seasons past. In a way, I kinda miss them! But tonight’s vocal duels were all pretty evenly matched. Preferring one over the other really had more to do with personal preference, rather than ability. At least it was for me. It made using strategy to choose the winner easy, without looking too contrived–which it is.
It’s Part 3 of The Voice 4 Battle Rounds! More team members face off against each other, I’ll be live blogging the face-offs right here.
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Jessica Childress vs Vedo – Team Usher – “Locked out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars Jessica gave up a career in PR to pursue music. Vedo wants to make his mom proud–she’s been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She passed away since the audition. Usher put them together because they aren’t alike at all. Not really sure about that logic? Hm. Vedo has the advantage in the rehearsals. The range is a bit of a stretch for Jessica. Pharrell thinks the key is perfect for Jessica. She needs more confidence, which she has by the end of the run-through. Usher advises Vedo to put his personality into the performance.
This is a pretty great duet, and I would say these two powerful singersare pretty evenly matched. Jessica is a beast! There’s real chemistry between these two. Shakira says Jess has a tremendous personality and Vedo has some smooth moves. Adam says they were connected, Jessica has a ton on energy. Blake says they both lit up the room. There’s not a right or wrong decision. Usher chooses Vedo! I think Jessica had the slight edge vocally. But, Vedo is younger and marketable. Aw nobody steals her. Vedo wishes his mom was there to see his victory, and he cries.Vedo wins the Battle
Luke Edgemon Vs Monique Abbadie – Team Shakira – “You And I” by Lady Gaga – OMG this is a really WEIRD matchup. Luke is the ex Idol and Glee guy, sort of a soulful pop guy. Monique sings an old-fashioned brand of Hispanic pop. Shakira tells Monique to dial down the Broadway. Mentor, Joel Madden, loves the little break in Luke’s voice. Shakira advises them not to ad lib over each other. They need to sing together. Too much showing off would seem desperate. This is actually good advice. Many a Battle Round performance has been sunk by this very thing.
The song is better suited to Monique’s voice. Honestly, I can’t imagine Shakira not picking her. Luke’s runs and big notes are fine, but they are no match for Monique’s powerful ad libs. He was good, but she dominated the stage. Luke was a big revelation for Adam. He’d choose him. Blake also thought Luke won the battle. Usher felt there was romance going on on stage. Usher was blown away by Luke. Shakira feels that Luke revealed his true essence. Monique is a real pro and followed her notes. “She added the right amount of tabasco.” Shakira chooses Monique, because she feels certain someone will steal Luke. BLAKE STEALS HIM. SO DOES USHER. Whoa I never understood why Luke chose Shakira’s team in the first place. It really seemed like an odd fit. Blake LOVES Luke. Usher reminds him that he pushed his button the first time. Luke chooses BLAKE. He calls it a “strategic” decision – Monique Wins the Battle. Blake Shelton Steals him Blake has used both of his steals. Usher still has 2 steals.
Jacqui Sandell vs Savannah Berry – Team Blake – “Little White Church” by Little Big Town – Jacqui is a former ballet dancer. Savannah is a country singer, discovered by Sugarland on You Tube. Blake chose an upbeat country song on purpose. Jaqui, a ballad singer, seems to be clearly cannon fodder here. Could this battle be pitched any more in Savannah’s favor? Blake advises Savannah not to fall behind the beat. Mentor, Sheryl Crowe, worries that her timing isn’t good. Jacqui needs to tone down her growl. Blake is surprised to find Jacqui has a feel for country. He’s probably disappointed as well.
And indeed, Jacqui is holding her own here. She’s a versatile, professional singer. While, Savannah’s vocals are fine, her stage presence isn’t at Jacqui’s level. Considering Jacqui is 10 years older, it’s not a surprise. Usher liked that Jacqui put her own “thing” on the song. Shakira enjoyed they way they used the stage. She liked Savannah’s inflections, and picks her. Blake is impressed that they took both took his notes. Blake chooses Savannah, OF COURSE. Adam thinks Blake made the right choice. Nobody steals Jaqui. Poor little cannon fodder. Savannah Berry wins the Battle
C. Perkins vs Kris Thomas – Team Shakira – “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars – C works at a grocery star. Adam and Blake thought Kris was a girl (???) For the two soul singers, Shakira picked an R&B song with some edge. Joel says, “Everybody loves a guy that sings like a girl.” Okee Doke. I don’t get the “sings like a girl” thing at all. Kris is super pitchy during the run through. He’s got to feel the music. Shakira is REALLY impressed with C. during the run-through. But they are both having issues.
I personally prefer Kris’ sweet, clear tone. Such a pretty voice! But they are both pretty evenly matched, although the song seems a little too big for both of them. It’s a toss up. Adam thought they were both amazing. The performance was a little messy, though, he says. Blake loves C.’s rasp. and Kris’ clear tone. Usher thinks he could help both of them. The song was complicated. Shakira felt they were holding back a little bit. She’s proud of C. The record label who dropped Kris, are jerks, says Shakira. She chooses Kris. Nobody steals C. Boo Hoo. OH WAIT LAST MINUTE STEAL FROM USHER. C. was literally on his way off the stage. Usher waited on purpose, to show C. what it would be like not to have it. RUDE. Kris Thomas Wins the Battle. Usher Steals C. Perkins.
Midas Whale vs Patrick Dodd – Team Adam – “Burnin Love” by Elvis Presley – Midas Whale is the duo that features Idol Season 3 alum, Jon Peter Lewis. Patrick is a blues singer from Memphis. Although there were some issues in rehearsal, Jon feels confident they can fix them. Mentor Hillary Scott is afraid Patrick won’t stand out against the duo. Adam changes the arrangement to a blues shuffle. It’s got a bluegrass feel. Yep. It’s a huge improvement. Jon is nervous that they are going up against one of the better singers in the competition.
I remember not liking this Patrick guy much in the Blind Auditions, I felt his style was contrived. I am digging this arrangement. Midas Whale sound GREAT. Awesome, tight harmonies. Patrick sings like he gargled a glass of rocks beforehand. Of course, I’m hopelessly biased….but I prefer Midas Whale. GIANT glory note from Jon! After the performance, Adam jumps out of his chair and gives them a fist pump. Blake says, “THAT WAS SO AWESOME.” Blake was surprised by Jon’s ability to hit that big note. Usher loves Patrick’s tone and Shakira has a weakness for his rasp. She thinks Midas Whale are charismatic. Adam also finds them appealing. They are funny and talented. But, Patrick is a fine singer. It’s tough for Adam. BUT he chooses Midas Whale HOOOORAYYYYY!!!!!!! Adam pledges to help all 3 of them, no matter what. Nobody steals Patrick, despite chanting from the audience. – Midas Whale Wins the Battle
Orlando Dixon vs Ryan Innes – Team Usher – “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers – Orlando just wants to buy his mom a house. After a failed engagement, Ryan changed his entire life. Usher and Pharrell say they both have to FEEL the song. Ryan needs to work on the technical aspects of his voice. When Pharrell tells Orlando that he hides behind his voice, the singer breaks down. He’s broke. His family is struggling. Let out your feelings, says Pharrell. After the session, Orlando claims he had a life changing moment.
Orlando has the better voice, but Ryan absolutely FEELS what he sings. The depth of emotion is intense. I’m not crazy about Ryan’s dirty tone, but I would give him the battle just based on his ability to connect to a song. Shakira thought it was awesome. She loves Orlando’s control. Ryan poured his soul into a song, she says. Adam thought Orlando was a revelation. Blake calls Ryan a “man’s man.” Stylistically, he loves Ryan. For Usher it is technical proficiency (Orlando), vs conviction (Ryan) and he chooses Ryan. ADAM STEALS ORLANDO. Ryan Innes Wins the Battle. Adam Levine Steals Orlando Dixon
