The Voice 12 Recap – Top 11 Live Blog (VIDEOS)

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Stephanie Rice – Team Alicia Keys – Behind Blue Eyes by The Who – Alicia thinks this Who song is perfect for Stephanie–really tells her story. Alicia compares Stephanie to Fiona Apple and Alanis Morrisette. The singer accompanies herself on guitar. She doesn’t re-gender the lyrics, which is cool. Alicia did a good job arranging the song. Stephanie doesn’t oversing, even when she totally rocks out on the bridge. This is my favorite performance from Stephanie so far. She ends the song on a tender note. Bravo. I hope performing first doesn’t hurt her. Gwen says it’s incredible to watch her grow. “Alicia loves you so much! I feel like this is an original for you.” Adam says it’s nice to see “this side” of her. “You’re blossoming like this powerful feminine phenomenon,” says Alicia. “America vote for Stephanie,” she says. – Download at iTunes

Aliyah Moulden – Team Blake Shelton – Take it Back by Reba McEntire – Her grandmother was a Mexican immigrant. Blake notes it’s a Reba song, but it’s bluesey. “I love this song!” she gushed. Blake thinks the tune is tailor made for her voice and performing style. Aliyah is hoping for a retweet from Reba. She’ll probably get it. This is so much better than last week. Blake needs to keep Aliyah in the blues lane. She’s got a growly alto that’s sits perfectly in the song’s range. Love the hair and dress too. “I love that gravelly raspy thing that came out of your voice,” says Alicia. Gwen can’t believe how confident she is at 15 years old. “I’m blown away right now,” says Blake. “America is falling in love with you…America she is 15 years old!” – Download at iTunes

TSoul – Team Blake Shelton – Lay Me Down by Sam Smith – It means so much to T that America voted him through. This week, he’s performing a contemporary song for the first time. He attended his brother’s wedding recently. He misses them a lot–tears up as he talks about them. Blake can’t believe how he gets lost in the moment. “The stage is like home,” T says. The singer accompanies himself on a grand piano. After the first verse, though he works the stage. T has pitch issues, but his phrasing just fascinates me. A unique and quirky singer. Is he too oddball for The Voice? Hm. He seemed to lose the timing at one point. He’s scatting around the bridge. Dang. He’s hitting some clunkers tonight. I like the way he approaches a song. He’s creative! But at this point, he needs to work on his control.  T’s family is in the audience. “You’re gymnastics are on point,” says Alicia. His stage antics are…unique. “TSoul is a beast!” gushes Blake. “You didn’t hold anything back.” – Download at iTunes

Host Carson Daly pimps “Red Nose Day” sporting a red nose. Hijinks ensue as a red-nosed Blake attempts to drink out of a cup. 

Lilli Passero – Team Adam Levine – Town Without Pity by Gene Pitney – Lilli was very sick last week, but she’s feeling much better. Adam still thinks she can win the whole thing. He asks the question: What if Amy Winehouse sang this song? “Dramatic, sexy…this is her genre,” Adam says about Lilli’s ability to tackle the tune. I am pretty sure the kiddos don’t know this one. Can this song be modernized? Her vocals are solid, but, no.  Super dated, this isn’t the kind of song that’s easily updated. “It was so relevant…right this second.” Alicia loves when she completely loses herself in her own world. Adam is so happy. He’s sure they’ve cracked the code. “We were all transported to a different era.”  He says that’s hard to do without sounding contrived. Hm. –  Download at iTunes

Hunter Plake – Team Gwen Stefani – All I Want by Kodaline – Hunter and Gwen produce the song together. He slips behind the drums to try something out. The show is really highlighting his musicianship. What’s with the stage set? Pointy cones? I won’t let it distract me from Hunter’s performance. Great song choice and Hunter is performing it beautifully. I love his phrasing and the way he plays with notes. His falsetto is sublime. It’s another emotional performance from Hunter. Oh….the cones change color from orange to blue. Very dramatic. “So great,” says Adam. “I’m so happy by your success on the show. You’re very subtle and very simple. There’s no way of mistaking your voice.” Gwen fights for Hunter, “This is a real artist. Hunter is full of music. There has been nobody like Hunter on the show. I can’t believe you’re on my team.” So goes Gwen’s endless gushing. – Download at iTunes

Vanessa Ferguson – Team Alicia Keys – Diamonds by Rihanna – Alicia is impressed by Vanessa’s composure. She admits that she internalizes her feelings. “This song represents the type of artist I want to be,” the singer reveals. After the two work on the song together, Alicia says, “I feel like I’m listening to Shirley Bassey!” Vanessa plays piano, wearing a smart white suit with blue striping and a matching hat. LOVE HER STYLE. She gets up from the keys and steps into the audience. I wish she performed this song with a little more urgency? I can’t help thinking about the way La’Porsha Renae approached this song on Idol. She has her moments, though. Vanessa’s biggest hurdle at this point is allowing herself to open up completely. “I love your vibe,” says Adam, “You’ve got badass style. You know yourself. I’m a huge fan.” “I can’t get you on my team now?” jokes Blake. He admits that he’s most intimidated by her as a competitor. Alicia calls her performing style “effortless….the power of your voice is unmatched…you want to share and give.” – Download at iTunes

Lauren Duski – Team Blake Shelton – Somewhere in My Broken Heart by Randy Travis/Billy Dean – Lee Ann Womack tweeted at her last week. Blake mentions that last week’s song hit the Top 10. There was a question about whether it counted for the multiplier because it had fallen by the time the voting window closed. Lauren says she can’t write a happy song to save her life. She tears up when Blake says she is one of his favorites. The song’s gorgeous melody is perfect for Lauren’s pristine delivery. Her voice is like a clear cold stream.  Honest, heartfelt and gorgeous. Hand waving in the pit! Her voice goes big in just the right places without ruining the simplicity.  “You’re going to be in the finale,” says Adam. “Everyone knows that. You do it effortlessly.” Blake says “Your voice sounds classic, but it doesn’t sound like anyone else. America don’t forget to vote! She’s important to country music.” – Download at iTunes

Mark Isaiah – Team Adam Levine – How to Love by Lil’ Wayne – Mark says being in the bottom 2 last week was one of the worst experiences he’s had in the competition. Oh boy. Another opportunity for Mark to run out of breath. It’s not bad though. It helps that he’s staying rooted to a stool rather than dancing around like he usually does. The song’s melody doesn’t have much variation–it’s monotonous. Mark brings some verve to the song on the last chorus. There are a couple of little pitchy spots here and there, but finishes nicely in his falsetto. That was a hard song to sing. “There’s something about you,” says Gwen. “That feels like your song. You made yourself you right now. You’re so gifted.” Oh. Mark has chosen every song he’s sung in the live shows. “I’ve hardly done that with anyone I’ve worked with,” admits Adam. Interesting.  – Download at iTunes

Jesse Larson – Team Adam Levine – Human by Rag n Bone Man – The song is currently Adam’s favorite. Jesse says he got chills when he first heard it. The singer appreciates that Adam keeps pushing him out of his comfort zone. For instance,  Adam has been encouraging him to take advantage of his lower register. No guitar again this week. I’m a little disappointed. Guitar riffs and a blistering solo would have added something. Otherwise, this is just OK for me. He builds nicely to the last verse, though. Second half of the song is better than the first. “That doesn’t even make any sense!” enthuses Alicia, “You took it to a whole new place. Your style is only yours” Adam says, “I’m so proud of you,” says Adam. “Jesse’s not a pop star.” He compares Jesse to last fall’s winner, Sundance Head. Sundance was a more engaging performer though. And a better singer. – Download at iTunes

Chris Blue has the pimp spot!

Brennley Brown – Team Gwen Stefani – River by Joni Mitchell – She got a tweet from Kristin Chenoweth after her song peaked at #7 on the iTunes Charts last week.  Gwen wants to country up the arrangement. She plans to seek Blake’s advice.  The band adds some slide guitar and Gwen suggests background vocals. Actually, Brennley would be fine singing it straight folk. But her fans probably expect the country sound. I’m pretty partial to the original. I’m not digging the twangification of this pop/folk classic. Having said that, Brennley’s long vibrato is lovely, and she’s adding some pretty vocal touches. This will probably be another hit for the young singer. “I’m so happy you’re with Gwen,” says Adam. “You turned it into a country song. There was a refreshing originality.” Gwen says, “I’m so excited by you,” before begging America to vote. Download at iTunes

Chris Blue – Team Alicia Keys – When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge – He’s nervous to sing such an iconic song. He’s never performed it before. His fiance’s parents strong relationship has shaped him. Alicia wants him IN TEARS by the end of the song. Chris has the opportunity to uncover some layers, she says. Chris is singing his face off. At one point he winds up on his knees. Chris is simply effortless. Everything–his intonation, stage presence and delivery are on fire. I’m running out of good stuff to say about his guy! – Download at iTunes

Alisan Porter performs her new single tomorrow night. Plus Alicia and her team take the stage.