The Voice 8 Live Playoffs #1 Live Blog and VIDEOS

Overall, I thought everyone did well, but there weren’t many personal bests tonight. My favorites were Meghan and Mia. They both sang as well as they ever have. I loved Sawyer too, but I think he’s had better performances. Team Pharrell continues to be strong.

ETA: I took another look at my video. Tonight’s show WAS NOT LIVE, in case you were wondering. VERY tiny lettering informed viewers that the episode was taped earlier in the day.

The coaches critiques were so odd tonight. They started off throwing softballs, which is basically what they do once the live shows are in place. But they did offer some critiques in odd places. I thought they were a little harsh on Brooke, who has had better performances. But why not pick at the flaws of some of the others?  I hope the coaches indifference doesn’t hurt her chances to advance. She’s had some great performances that have revealed her talent and versatility. I think Blake might have forced her to bite off more than she could chew.

Has anyone noticed that Pharrell is PROUD OF ALL OF HIS TEAM MEMBERS? He may want to come up with a few more watered down critiques to stick in his back pocket.  Tomorrow, it’s Team Adam and Team Christina!

Kicking off the show, it’s Adam Levine and Maroon 5, performing their latest single, “Sugar.” Generally, I like the band’s singles. So kill me now, OK? I like this song.

https://youtu.be/aIv-TEtnJTk

The singers will take the stage with “cool stripped down performances” says host Carson Daly. That’s in order to focus on their vocals. It’s Pharrell’s birthday today. “Look how cute he is on his birthday!” says Blake.

Sarah Potenza – Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd – Team Blake Shelton – Sarah feels the song represents her spiritually in so many ways. Blake thinks the classic songs are working for Sarah. She’s going to have to showcase some diversity, he says. He wound up re-arranging the song when he sensed something was wrong. To be honest, I always had a hard time taking this song seriously. It turned into a cliche at one point. But for a younger generation, maybe not. She’s rocking the fringe tonight. So retro. That could work for her, or against her. She’s sure can sing these classic tunes. She sings subtly, until she hits that bridge, and then lets loose.  Oddly, the band and background singers are overwhelming her on the big parts. I dunno. Going first, it’s going to be tough. Oh yeah, the original Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer died this week, lending extra poignancy to the performance. Christina felt it was the perfect song for her. It reminded her of “dear friend” Linda Perry. Pharrell loved that she explored all of the dynamics of her voice. Adam liked that her vocals took over the guitar part. Blake notes that Sarah LOVES TO EMAIL. The song was her idea  – 1-877-553-3701 – Text Sprint #1 to 8642 – Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/ubkuLtdT5UE

Caitlin Caporale – Best Thing I Never Had by Beyonce – Team Pharrell Williams – Caitlin wants to be a pop/R&B singer. She loves to be challenged. Pharrell coaches Caitlin on how to move around the stage. She’s got the pipes, now she has to show her personality. Caitlin is a pitch perfect singer. She boffed the big note just a tiny bit, but she has an amazing range. Pharrell is right, though. Her challenge is to reveal herself to the audience. To let us know who she is. She’s still a tad karaoke at this point. Developing her artistry will be key, or she’ll blend into the woodwork. Adam calls the performance “blanking” amazing. Blake thinks she’s showing herself as a threat to the other coaches. Christina loves her confidence, and her high notes. She cautions Caitlin to be mindful. Pharrell is very proud of her! She’s proving why she deserves to be here. – 1-877-553-3702 – Text Sprint #2 to 8642 –  Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/EDVy1s8kzYY

Hannah Kirby – I Feel the Earth Move by Carol King – Team Blake Shelton – Blake feels Hannah isn’t like anyone else. The 17 year old has never had a boyfriend, but she feels she can step into another’s shoes. Her mother was a singer/songwriter in the 70’s They change the melody a little to accommodate her big range.  Hannah is bellowing at me. Why? I always feel like I’m being bludgeoned over the head when Hannah performs. There’s no finesse here. Even Sarah, with all her saltiness, knows how to sing a song with varied dynamics. Christina was very entertained. Her favorite so far. Pharrell says, “that is entertainment.” He loves the way she allows the music to control her body. He finds her complete lack of insecurity, refreshing. Blake thinks Hannah is possessed by the song she is singing. “Perfect,” he says.  – 1-877-553-3703 – Text Sprint #3 to 8642 –  Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/mw_t6zGLglM

Lowell Oakley – Jealous by Nick Jonas – – Team Pharrell Williams – Lowell took the coaches criticism to heart. He will try not to be so calculated. He’s ready to show the world that the crooner can be current! Pharrell feels he can improvise. He has to stop self-editing. “He’s got to get on the side of ambition,” says Pharrell. I understand that think about Lowell’s personality that’s annoying. He comes off as a poser. Dude has a good voice though! His tone is so rich and he’s hitting those falsettos in a soulful way.  He needs to dial back the affectations, though, especially the way he poses around the stage. It’s annoying to watch–but I think he’s a diamond in the rough. Needs work (he was flat in spots), but the potential is there. Adam mentions Chris Jamison’s version. He’s happy that Pharrell forced him out of his lane. Blake compares him to Adam! Christina liked it a lot. He stayed focus, and worked the crowd well. “Good job,” says Pharrell. “Very happy for you,” he says. – 1-877-553-3704 – Text Sprint #4 to 8642 – Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/DDDphbahwh4

Mia Z – Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers – Team Pharrell Williams – Her family in Pittsburgh all live in the same neighborhood. That’s such an Italian American thing, I love it. I get literally get homesick watching Mia. She’s got the old school Pittsburgh soul thing imprinted on her heart. No doubt she learned at the feet of her older relatives. She’s singing the Eva Cassidy version of the song. Pharrell suggests she leave out the whistle notes. They were kind of grating in rehearsal. Super super bluesy version of the song. The arrangement really suits her and it was VERY smart of Pharrell to suggest that she stay in her lower register. Mia relies on those high notes too much. No tricks needed here. A mature, assured take on the song. Adam thinks her voice keeps getting better. Blake would love to have her on his team. He calls her “underrated.”  Mia picked the song!  Christina was inspired by her version. Pharrell is proud and confident that America will vote her through.- 1-877-553-3705 – Text Sprint #5 to 8642 –  Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/_KvO01-kzVk

Koryn Hawthorne – How Great Thou Art – Team Pharrell Williams – Koryn comes from spiritual roots. Her dad is a minister. Singing a gospel song is one way to differentiate herself from the other singers at this point. There’s a lot of competition for those 12 spots!  I’m not convinced this is going to work for her. It’s such an old fashioned performance, but she sure is feeling this. Koryn has got gospel in her bones. She’s a little screamy in spots. She could learn control when she becomes emotional. But I love this girls tone. She’s got something special. Adam felt a triumph from Koryn, over her nerves. Blake feels that whatever she’s doing on stage is drawing the audience in. “Welcome to the Top 12” he says. Christina compliments her poise and makes a comparison to Beyonce. Pharrell believes she’s lighting up livingrooms everywhere. – 1-877-553-3706 – Text Sprint #6 to 8642 –  Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/LxNNHkvIwnw

Corey Kent White – To Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan – Team Blake Shelton – After the knockout rounds, his grandfather passed away.  Blake gave Cory the Garth Brooks version of the song. Blake thinks he’s really marketable, but it wouldn’t hurt to give him an old school edge. They work on his diction together. The girls on twitter love him. Oh. Blake is so smart handing him a love song. There’s a mournful slide guitar in the background, and Corey has an ache in his voice. T-he-hears–some of his inflections are distracting. But he’s got a lovely rasp that gives him a world weary sound. But then you look at him, and he’s just a kid. Aw. He’s pouring his heart out. Those girls on twitter are freaking out, I’ll bet. Hello Top 12.  Christina thinks he has a special way of engaging the audience. His tenderness is authentic. Pharrell adds that Corey also has sincerity. Adam wanted more unbridled passion from him. Hm. Blake felt he moved people with the story, rather than vocal tricks. – 1-877-553-3707 – Text Sprint #7 to 8642 – Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/LkszJJ4Ep3c

Brooke Adee – Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding – Team Blake Shelton – She wants to add a bit of  an indie flair to the song. It’s challenging for her, but she’s determined to rise to the occasion. Aw. Pinky promise! Brooke swears she’ll watch her pitch. Her range is really good! But what impressed me, is how she handled the verse parts in her lower register. She sounded so full and expressive down there. That’s tough for some singers. She goes a little flat and breathy towards the end, as if she lost her grip on the song toward the end, but she does a great job navigating the middle parts.  The point the coaches make about loosening up is well taken. But Brooke did well considering she was out of her comfort zone. Christina could see her focus face. She wants her to loosen up for next time. Pharrell wants to see a few of her own adlibs. Adam thought it felt stiff. Blake feels she demonstrated what a great, versatile singer she is. – 1-877-553-3708 – Text Sprint #8 to 8642 –  Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/dfNzUo16EN8

Meghan Linsey – Love Runs Out by One Republic – Team Blake Shelton – Blake mentions Meghan’s twitter haters. Despite her major label experience, it’s entirely fair that she’s here, he believes. Blake gave her the song, because of her incredible versatility. He loves the way she shreds the emotional parts. He wants more of that! I’ve always been a big fan of Meghan. But I haven’t really loved her on The Voice. Until now. I’m glad Blake went contemporary with her. To use Blake’s parlance–Meghan is SHREDDING this song. She’s the real rocker of this bunch. Her voice kinda breaks at one point, but it works. She gave that everything she had. I hope she makes the Top 12! Christina loved it. LOTS OF AUDIENCE CHEERING. Pharrell is so glad she’s back with Blake–where she wants to be. She’s a testament to never giving up, he says. Blake will be shocked if she doesn’t advance. Oh. It was Meghan’s decision to go current. Smart decision. – 1-877-553-3709 – Text Sprint #9 to 8642 –  Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/h4GdSWThw0M

Sawyer Fredericks – Trouble by Ray Lamontagne – Team Pharrell Williams – The fame thing has been a little weird for shy Sawyer.  He steps in and arranges the song. Pharrell realizes that he knows what he wants. “That’s what a real artist is made of,” he says. –  Sawyer gives “Trouble” the 70 year old man treatment. Heh. No. Seriously. There’s an incredibly old soul living in that 16 year old body.  I liked Sawyer’s arrangement a lot. It would have been better with just his acoustic guitar and a few instruments. There was some major bandzilla going on there. Sawyer has a compelling voice, unique phrasing and a lovely, but rough-hewn rasp. But his vocals aren’t strong. Dial back that band! Adam thinks it’s crazy how much older his soul is than him. Blake says he was “saved” by a  woman at 16. He means something entirely different. “INAPPROPRIATE!” shouts Adam.  “You’re a star,” Blake says. Pharrell is proud of him. HE’S PROUD OF EVERYBODY. He says the young ladies out there will completely understand. Uh. I don’t think Sawyer views himself as a heartthrob.  Despite his sweet face, neither do I. There’s real depth living inside that kid.  – 1-877-553-3710 – Text Sprint #10 to 8642 –  Download from iTunes

https://youtu.be/oTSRqBvW7vk