The Voice season 12 finals continue tonight. The Top 10 from Team Adam Levine, Team Blake Shelton, Team Alicia Keys and Team Gwen Stefani perform for your votes. TWO SINGERS leave the competition tomorrow night. Viewers can vote online via NBC.com/Facebook, The Voice smart phone app, or iTunes downloads/Apple Music streams. Click for Voting Rules. Click for Tonight’s Song Spoilers.
Jesse Larson – Team Adam Levine – Jungle Love by The Time – He’s played this song in his band, but has never sung lead. This is such an odd song choice for Jesse. OK, maybe not, because he’s worked with Judith Hill and Prince. But for his style it’s weird. Hope performing first doesn’t hurt him. Again no guitar. I wasn’t crazy about the studio recording, but this performance is pretty fun and surprisingly swaggy. There’s choreography, and Jesse’s waving a black handkerchief. I wonder if Adam tried to get a Prince song cleared, but couldn’t. OH YEAH THE GUITAR COMES OUT. Alright. I take back everything negative I said about this song pick. This is pretty rad. A great way to kick off the show. Jesse’s step mom is cheering in the audience. Blake says, “It was really good man.” Alicia thanks Jesse for the shoutout in the song. The handkerchief was her favorite part. “Dude you are a superstar” says Adam. Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3XtQwEO5bY
In honor of Mother’s day, the Top 10 brought their mom’s to rehearsal to meet their coaches.
Aliyah Moulden – Team Blake Shelton – Jealous by Labrinth – Aliyah’s grandmother comes along to meet Blake. The young singer’s late dad–whom she never knew–serves as the inspiration for her interpretation of the song. This is pretty, but the song is out of her range in the lower end. There’s something about her delivery that’s emotionally removed…until she completely loses control on the last chorus. She’s crying, barely able to get out the words. Maybe the emotions the song brings up are just too overwhelming. She’s not used to singing from her gut. Still, tears never hurt when it comes to votes. Gwen says it was smart for her to do that song at this point. “The second half was beautiful,” she says. Blake says, “You did what you knew you needed to do. You got lost in the moment. I think we all cry with you.” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_i49WRu8Jo
Vanessa Ferguson – Team Alicia Keys – Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill – Vanessa’s mom dropped by to meet Alicia. The singer really wanted to cover a song by the artist with whom she feels most strongly aligned. Alicia made a few phone calls and was able to clear the song for Vanessa. Woah. Vanessa is working this joint out. I was a little worried about handling the rapping live, but she’s smooth. I hope America gets it. Performing in a death spot isn’t going to help her either. Adam says, “Lauren Hill is impossible to emulate.” But he feels she did Lauren justice. “You should start thinking about rapping a little bit.” Alicia tells Vanessa that she looks “stunning.” She feels like they’ve shown America everything she is. “Vanessa is so special!” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJ6NThHZC0
Mark Isaiah – Team Adam Levine – Sign of the Times by Harry Styles – Mark’s mom is so proud of him, because he hasn’t allowed being in the bottom 2 to rattle him. Mom was only 18 when she had him. Adam says his approach to this song needs to be more rock n roll. Mark sits at the piano to start. This is a risky choice. Mark’s falsetto is weak, and he doesn’t quite capture that 7o’s rock vibe the song requires. Hunter would have killed this song actually. The second half of the song, when it kicked up a notch, was better than the first. “It sounded so good,” says Gwen, “That was a whole different side to you.” Adam says it was his idea to do that song. “You surprise me every week,” says Adam. He begs America to vote. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-_-oyXwp9Q
Blake Shelton performs his new single, “Every Time I Hear That Song” which is probably about his ex Miranda Lambert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tToC46cRIxM
Chris Blue – Team Alicia Keys – 24K Magic by Bruno Mars – Chris brings his mom to meet Alicia. He describes her as “full of joy.” The past few weeks have been so stressful he wants to sing something that will get people on their feet. He’s got all the Bruno moves, but nevertheless, Chris puts his own unique spin on the song. As he always does! Energetic, fun, full of pizazz and amazing vocals. “I think you’re going to be in the finale,” says Blake, “Great job tonight.” Alicia admits that the performance was his vision. “You just showed me and all of America that you are unstoppable.” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N06SgFbAAs
Lilli Passero – Team Adam Levine – Unforgettable by Nat King Cole – Her mother is also a singer. She hopes to make her proud. This song has never been performed on The Voice before. Adam says she has to rely on her phrasing. “Adam is teaching me to be timeless and current at the same time,” she tears up talking about him. I wish Adam would stick to choosing bluesy songs for Lilli, because that’s where she really shines. This rendition is boring. Her phrasing is so ordinary. It’s like she can’t get her arms around the song. Alicia says “I love the way you interpret songs.” She liked her restraint, and the vocal liberties she did take. Adam says, “I’m so proud of you for carrying the torch for such a classic sound.” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7o2YN5QJMo
Lauren Duski – Team Blake Shelton – Tell Me Why by Wynonna Judd – Oh right. Her parents are dentists. Mom believes in her decision to pursue music. Blake thought it was time to pull out an upbeat song. Wynonna calls in to give Lauren support. “Go out there and kick butt sister.” She urges her to make the song her own. A jangly pop country tune, Lauren is performing it flawlessly. Her voice is so radio ready, it’s crazy. Gwen calls her a “living country Barbie doll with a guitar.” Uhm. Is that supposed to be a compliment? She gushes over what a great coach her man is. Blake calls her “the missing piece in country music…and everyone is figuring that out.” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ7xefumd6I
Hunter Plake – Team Gwen Stefani – Higher Love by Steve Winwood – Hunter’s mom taught him how to play drums! “Mom’s a beautiful human,” says Hunter. Gwen lectures him about singing the original melody. She’s really stuck on that notion, isn’t she? Hunter’s an artist. Maybe she should allow him to pick his own songs and sing them the way he wants? Just a suggestion. So, this electronic version of “Higher Love” just floats on air, Hunter’s ethereal vocals anchoring the song. Good stuff. Adam thinks he can genuinely turn an old song into something new. It’s a testament to his artistry, he says. “I’m very proud of you!” says Gwen. “I see you so comfortable and so happy up there!” Hunter says, “I had a blast up there.” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzzRUAyMJ3k
Brennley Brown has the pimp spot!
TSoul – Team Blake Shelton – At This Moment by Billy Vera and the Beaters – Tsoul brings along his tiny mama. He says the best decision he made was choosing Blake as his coach. The song choice will be “magic” for TSoul, says Blake. “Decorate this one up,” he advises. This emotional deeply felt performance will keep TSoul out of the bottom 3. Or it should. He’s literally down on his knees. He’s “decorating” it up, but singing with more control and good intonation than usual. “I love you mama!” he shouts after his performance. Alicia says, “You are so genuine…you have such a unique voice.” “I have sat in this chair for 12 seasons, it’s my believe you just bought yourself a ticket to the Top 8,” says Blake. Oh my. For a second I thought he was going to say “the finals.” Blake, keeping it in perspective – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMqrbT52Hbs
Brennley Brown – Team Gwen Stefani – Anyway by Martina McBride – “This is my life song.” declares Brennley. That’s because she’s constantly being told she’s too young to pursue show business. She really wants to do the song for her mom, who is grateful to Gwen for allowing Brennley to be herself. This song is always a big show stopper. She approaches the song like an aspirational anthem. Her voice is a little too delicate for such a big song. But overall, she does a good job. Blake says, “Your voice has never shined brighter. You are going to continue to defy the odds.” Gwen admits that she and Blake talk about her a lot. “You did such an incredible song.” As it turns out, Brennley brought the song to Gwen. I get the feeling Gwen struggles with song choice for Brennley. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txyzobhFu-Y
