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

Country star Shania Twain mentored the Top 12 this week and will join coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys in her own “big red chair.” 

The show kicks off with host Carson Daly narrating a Shania Twain video package. Do we really need five chairs? Not five commenters for each performance, hopefully.  Carson also reminds us that for the first time the “decision is YOURS” No more coach intervention.

Voting is open NOW.

Jesse Larson – Team Adam Levine – Jesse wants to show his “vulnerable” side. Shania helps Jesse dig into the song’s emotion. “Make us cry,” says Adam. Jesse calls the song “a love letter.” He’s dedicating it to his wife. “This is gonna put Jesse on the map,” insists Adam. NO guitar tonight. Pretty sure that’s the first time. It’s smart for Jesse to strip down and show viewers what he can do vocally.  Jesse isn’t the best singer. But he’s got a unique sound. Sometimes he’s a little nasally, but he can be very soulful. He finishes the song with some well-done ad libs. That brought the performance to another level. “You hit the peak in that song at the right moment,” says Shania, “You’re really a stunning vocalist…I love you without the guitar.” Adam finds it shocking that he may even be a better vocalist than a guitar player. He thinks Jesse is the best “pure” singer. Uh. I disagree with that.  – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uCKeph-rS4

The four finalists will debut original songs during the finale, thanks to sponsors Toyota, Carson announces.

Mark Isaiah – Team Adam Levine – One Dance by Drake – Mark wants to take it a little slow this week, Introduce his R&B side. Adam thinks he’s embellishing too much. Adam changes the tempo a little. Shania thinks Mark is “adorable.” Ohh. Death spot for Mark. He needs all the help he can get here. Mark’s a good R&B/Pop singer.  He’s no Chris Jamison (from season 7) , but he’s got potential. He seems a little tentative tonight–kind of lethargic. The last couple of notes were pitchy.  Shania thinks Mark has a “natural star quality.” Adam was a “little concerned.” He was worried the audience “didn’t get it.” He says, “This kid acts like…he’s got a record coming out!”  Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Q2Cm45yNY

Oh look. Alisan Porter and Sundance Head featured in an XFinity X1 commercial.

Stephanie Rice – Team Alicia Keys – White Flag by Dido – Alicia picked the song. Stephanie, who had a sheltered childhood, has never heard the song. She wants to perform a “haunting” version of the tune. Shania says Stephanie gives a lot of herself in performance. Stephanie does not want to waste her second chance. The singer puts her own spin on the song as she usually does. There are a few wobbles, but it’s another emotional performance from Stephanie.  “Your emotion was just pouring out of you!” says Shania. “You were extremely convincing.” Gwen loved the way she used her voice tonight. “Beautiful job.” Alicia says, “You are the purest artist on this show…you deserve all the votes on planet earth.” – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YM2m7GIU30

Troy Ramey – Team Gwen Stefani – Free Fallin by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – Eh. Kind of a boring song choice for Troy. He thanks Gwen for saving him. “Free Falling” is a good metaphor for his musical journey, he says. Gwen and Shania warn him not to change the chorus melody, because it’s well known and anthemic. The chorus sounds pretty changed up to me though. Troy always does his own thing regardless. He’s doing a slow build that really kicks into gear on the second chorus. OK. NOW I recognize that chorus. His voice sounds kind of shouty on the high notes. Solid, but not his best performance. “I’m so blown away!” gushes Shania. She loved his tasteful changes to the melody. Adam thought it was “awesome.” He’s happy that Troy went for the big notes. Gwen felt he was looser tonight. She loved the way he built the song. –   Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whtLcOg_VSE

Aliyah Moulden – Team Blake Shelton – (Love is Like a) Heatwave by Martha & the Vandellas – Aliyah is very peppy. Blake thinks he’s picked the perfect song for the 15 year old. Yeah, we’ll see. Shania warns her not to oversing. Aliyah admits that she’s nervous–she doesn’t want to go home. This song NEVER does a singing show contestant any favors. It’s a GREAT record but not a great performance song. It’s too fast and has no dynamics. The performance ends up being a bore. Like here. There’s some pitch stuff going on too. Yeah hey Yeah hey! She leads the audience in a wave-a-thon. Zzzzzz. “You come out and command the stage….you’re a professional,” says Shania. She thinks Blake is a positive influence. “You blow me away every time you get on the stage,” says Blake, noting her charisma. “You’re becoming a performer in front of America’s eyes,” he says – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nURiUbL2Vs

Chris Blue – Team Alicia Keys – Love and Happiness by Al Green – Chris sings a bit of a Shania song to the mentor, by way of introduction. Shania and Alicia think the arrangement “needs to come down for a minute.” Alicia wants to explore his tender side. The song begins all slow and sexy. Damn Chris. Then he kicks it up a notch. He’s channeling Al big time here. His performances are just SO EFFORTLESS. Great song choice for Chris. Funky, soulful, emotional. The man is possessed. Wow. Standing ovation for the man. “You make it look so easy,” says Shania. Alicia is hooting and hollering. “It’s incredible to watch you…you have an uncanny ability to make things electric. America is feeling you.”   – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7mNzB2MP2Q

Lauren Duski – Team Blake Shelton – Lord I Hope this Day is Good by Don Williams – She’s a Shania Twain SUPER FAN! “You had such a crucial role in who I wanted to be as an artist,” Lauren gushes. She picked the song because it’s one of her brother Bradley’s favorites. Shania compares her to Emmylou Harris. At one point, Shania and Blake harmonize with Lauren. Her performance is so…professional. Effortless phrasing and tone–Lauren is a talented storyteller. She’s totally country radio ready. Shania says, “You have a real true spirit…honest spirit. Your voice is so pure. You don’t try to be something you’re not.” Blake says, “Listen to me America! Country music fans. We have one here with Lauren. This is the artist we’ve been waiting for on this show.” Toldja Lauren was Blake’s favorite. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy-7zRgEFwU

Lilli Passero – Team Adam Levine – Man! I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain – Lilli got sick this week and had to go to Urgent care. What, The Voice doesn’t have doctors on staff?  She’s taking IV fluids. She’s feeling so bad, she’s receiving her mentor session via Facetime. Adam suggests the song. Shania advises she not over sing the verses.  Eh. I’m not a big fan of this song. It’s kinda corny. Lilli’s actress-ey style is more cabaret than jazz.  Sounds like she had a rough week, though. Shania calls her performance, “a huge compliment to me.” Adam is amazed that she’s alive. She’s been bedridden. “We’re going to do some amazing things,” he says. – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJG-T7F65oU

Brennley Brown – Team Gwen Stefani – Long Long Time by Linda Ronstadt – Brennley wants to put out a record with a classic country sound/modern vocalization. Gwen warns her not to pull out too many tricks. Brennley tears up as she assures Gwen and Shania that she’s not into singing just to hit big notes. This is a song Brennley would like to put on an album. I’ve got to say–Brennley has a good handle on who she is as an artist for a 15 year old. She’s not as effortless and polished as Lauren Duski. But, there’s something sweet and earnest about her delivery that’s really appealing. “The emotion all the way through. This really is as good as it gets,” says Shania. “You have ended up with the right coach,” says Blake. Brennley is crying. “I spend my whole life thinking about you these days…your dynamics were beautiful,” says Gwen.  –  Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whcvmoQ8_sI

TSoul – Team Blake Shelton – Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson – Tsoul tears up as he expresses his gratitude for Blake saving him. Shania calls TSoul a vocal “gymnast.” At first he planned to play piano. But after he performed without it, Blake talked him out of it. TSoul’s phrasing is distinctive. So is his warbly vibrato. This song is just slightly out of his vocal range though. It’s a little clunky in spots. Nevertheless, this is a side of TSoul we haven’t seen yet. That performance will keep him in another week. “God is good,” he says after he finishes. Shania calls him “captivating and touching.” Blake is proud and happy. “I’ve never seen anybody that gets lost in your performance like you do.” He calls on all the “T Soldiers” to vote for him. It’s true. It’s as if TSoul is possessed with the spirit when he sings.– Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8SvULJqb5Q

Vanessa has the pimp spot!

Hunter Plake – Team Gwen Stefani – Somebody that I Used to Know by Gotye – Gotye is one of his favorite artists.  “Nice control” says Shania, “Don’t lose that little rasp thing,” she says.  “Thanks for letting me win The Voice!” says Gwen. Hunter always manages to make a song completely his own. He ups the tempo, adding an EDM twist. His phrasing is so energized and cool at the same time. At one point, he goes up into an amazing falsetto. Wow, that range. That song will shoot straight up the iTunes chart.  “I was at a full blown out concert right now. I believed you,” said Shania. “It was so exciting to see you do something like that.” He produced the song himself, apparently! –  Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFzKJKeyVjU

Vanessa Ferguson – Team Alicia Keys – A Song for You by Leon Russell – “I’ve been running away this song for years,” admits Vanessa, namechecking the Donny Hathaway cover. Shania reminds her that while she’s delivering a soulful performance to keep the story in mind. No hat! But another fab suit. WOW. She does this cool little blues slide on the verse. So heartfelt and passionate. She sings with a grit that I appreciate. Strong ending to a good night of performances. “You are just pure class inside and out,” says Shania. “I think you know who you are.” Alicia says, “Let anybody on the planet try to sing this song the way she did…you are breaking down walls that are inside all of us. If you want magic on this show, you vote Vanessa.”  – Download at iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjblFEwDxSU

Adam and Blake will perform with their teams tomorrow. Plus, G-Eazy.