Tonight on NBC, The Voice season 13 moves on to the Battle Rounds. The coaches pit team members against each other in epic duets. One singer survives, the other goes home. That is, unless a fellow coach steals the losing contestant. Each coach gets TWO steals.
Also, each coach has invited another superstar to help get their teams ready for battle. Adam Levine has brought on the newly engaged Joe Jonas to help out. Blake Shelton enlisted his buddies, the country group, Rascal Flatts. Jennifer Hudson asked Kelly Rowland to assist efforts to get her team in shape and Miley Cyrus turned to her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus to lend a hand.
As always, host Carson Daly will “referee” it all. Yep. We still got the corny boxing ring setup! Join us here as we LIVE BLOG every performance.
Click this link for ALL of tonight’s The Voice 13 Battle Round 1 Performance Spoilers.
Lucas Holliday vs Meagan McNeal – Team Jennifer Hudson – My Prerogative by Bobby Brown – Lucas was a cashier at a local dollar general. He covered Maxwell as he worked behind the counter and the video went viral. Meagan works an office job, while raising a son on her own. Jennifer considers them both unique R&B singers. It’s why she paired them together and chose an “unexpected song for an unexpected pair.” Kelly couldn’t believe they were both one chair turns. JHud doesn’t have any notes for Lucas. Megan is feeling like she’s a little behind. In the last rehearsal, Jhud has notes for both. They’re throwing each other off a little. “Hashtag sing smart,” says Kelly. They’re both oversinging. “Don’t climax in the middle of the song,” Kelly warns.
Will they oversing during the performance? They both have big voices. Who’s gonna out-swag the other? I’d say the performance is a draw. Lucas is trying a little too hard. He could back off the growl a bit. Meagan’s voice is buttery smooth. Miley says Meagan owned it. She calls the performance a “crowd pleaser.” She notes Lucas’ body roll. I’m kinda glad I missed that. Adam says the happiness they brought is “infectious.” He calls Lucas “sickeningly awesome.” Blake says his sister played “My Prerogative” so loud “crap would fall off the walls.” Maybe not a country fan, sis. Jennifer dithers but finally JHud chooses Lucas Holliday. Meagan McNeal is eliminated – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWK5W_nvs30
Moriah Formica vs Shilo Gold – Team Miley Cyrus – American Woman, by Lenny Kravitz – Shilo GREW UP watching Hannah Montana. Her father is a seventh generation Jewish cantor. He always hoped she’d follow in his footsteps, but she wants to sing pop. Moriah is only 16 and grew up on hair metal and classic rock. Miley is celebrating feminism with her all female team. She’s gonna choose songs that epitomize strong women. Man. That Shilo. She needs to see a throat doctor. That raspy voice doesn’t sound right. But Miley wants her to push in her high register. Moriah will sing harmony. Billy compares them to Brooks & Dunn. Hm. Billy is full of gushy compliments. Not sure how helpful that is. Moriah eventually picks up a guitar. She didn’t feel right without it. Immediately, Shilo needs a pep talk.
Ha. This song? Not really getting a “feminist” message here. Basically, two women telling another chick to eff off. Hm. It’s a good duet though. Their voices blend surprisingly well and their interactions are powerful. However, I think Moriah has got this. She’s a teen powerhouse. Her talent is natural, effortless. Adam is mad that Moriah isn’t on his team. He’d go with her. Blake felt they both brought “elements” to the performance. Jennifer calls Moriah a 35-40 year old soul. The coaches all seem to be Team Moriah. Miley felt Shilo grew the most. She calls Moriah a “rock goddess.” Let’s get this over with. It’s obvious. Miley Picks Moriah Formica. Shilo Gold is eliminated – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnZedlazWvE
Keisha Renee vs Noah Mac – Team Blake Shelton – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry by Hank Williams – Oh. Blake considers the Rascal Flatts his own “mentors.” He had his first beer with them, plus he opened for them on tour back in the day. Keisha, the soulful singer who wants to transition to country, says RF is everything she wants to be as a country singer. Noah is a teenager who claims he has spent most of his time singing in his backyard. Hank Williams wrote songs that transcended genres, the song is a perfect pick. Blake is basing the arrangement on the Elvis Presley version. The band has some good notes for both singers on their phrasing and how to handle their respective ranges. At the final rehearsal, the band calls Keisha a fine singer, and Noah full of potential. They have to spend a little more time coaching him. Blake suggests Keisha not smile through the song.
Whoa. Noah. He’s got an arresting tone. He’s still green, but his vocal pops. And Keisha is phenomenal. She reminds me of Candice Glover from Idol. She has that ease and effortlessness about her performance. Noah does NOT have that yet. His performance is somewhat labored, but with time, he can be something really special. Having said that, I’d give it to Keisha. Jhud compares Noah to an “old soul.” She calls Keisha’s tone pure. JHud can’t choose. Miley felt Keisha was never overpowering. She loved Noah’s low notes. But she’d choose Keisha. In the end Blake chooses Keisha Renee. JHud steals Noah Mac at the VERY last minute – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdbZ0bDxXts
Chris Weaver vs Kathrina Feigh – Team Jennifer Hudson – Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande – Chris Weaver is a worship leader AND a drag queen! Kathrina is originally from the Philippines. JHud calls them her “powerhouses.” Chris can’t believe Miss Kelly Rowland is in the room! Kelly suggests Kathrina color her performance more. She’s a little intimidated by Chris. JHud instructs Chris to “Christize” the song. She wants some drama–from both. Each could have their money note, she says, but they got to figure it out between themselves. During the final rehearsal…whoo boy OVERSINGING. Especially Kathrina. She doesn’t need to Whitney the song. So they dial it back, and it’s better.
Katharina has a voice like smooth coffee–her lower register in particular. I don’t love it so much when she pushes into the upper reaches of her range. But with Chris as a duet partner, she’s kinda forced to hit her upper register hard. Chris is an effortless R&B belter, and doesn’t appear to be trying so har. Obviously, Chris is gonna win this. Miley says they set the standard high. Adam says Kathrina didn’t allow Chris to overpower her. (For better…or worse.) Blake says Kathrina had the song by the throat…so did Chris but he was also slapping it. Eep. Jennifer compares Chris to a freight train. Poor Kat doesn’t stand a chance. Jennifer Picks Chris Weaver. Kathrina Feigh is STOLEN by Blake Shelton! Oh good. I hope he handles her vocal talent better. She’s really not a belter. “Here at Blake Shelton productions…” snarks Blake. Ha ha. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuAOeBBoaU8
Brooke Simpson vs Sophia Bollman – Team Miley Cyrus – You’re a Big Girl Now by Bob Dylan – Sophia never knew her father. She thinks Blake would be a cool dad. OK then. Brooke is Native American and grew up in a North Carolina native community. Miley says Brooke and Sophia are two of her biggest voices. So she chooses a Bob Dylan song. Interesting. Oh. She wants them to sing the song as if it were a power ballad. Huh. Ha ha. Billy Ray is pretty useless as a mentor. He’s mostly serving as a cheerleader while Miley does all the heavy lifting.
Right now, Brooke Simpson is one of my favorites. She’s got a gorgeous tone. Sophia is really good too. She’s got a strong voice and an impressive range. But Brooke has more presence. They’ve got great chemistry together. I’m not sure I’m loving this song embellished with big runs, however. I’mma just going to forget that it’s a Dylan song. Adam calls Sophia a “mini Shakira.” But, he feels Brooke is more refined. That’s a good way to put it. JHud says her presence just pops. TRUE THAT. She also notes how well they relate on stage. Blake felt Sophia held her own, but he’d give it to Brooke. So would I. Again…let’s just get this over with. Miley commits to them both, no matter what happens. However, Miley Picks Brooke Simpson. Sophia Bollman is eliminated – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-YufiT4wM
Adam Pearce vs Whitney Fenimore – Team Adam Levine – Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty – AND FINALLY we have a battle from Team Adam. Whitney has been a fan of Joe since the Jonas Bros days. Adam P. is a returnee after receiving no chairs in season 12. Now he’s on Team Adam. Whitney tried to make it in the LA music biz. Depression drove her back home. She’s feeling much better now. Adam calls the song a “perfect storm” for two rock voices. Whitney doesn’t feel she can belt like Adam P. Both struggle with the song at first, and the two aren’t really connecting. Adam suggests they stop playing guitar on the chorus, allowing them to concentrate on each other. After the final rehearsal, Adam, who felt Adam P. had the advantage, has decided the playing field is actually equal.
And you know, because a DOUBLE STEAL has been teased all night, neither from this duo is heading home. RIP Tom Petty. Sigh. The harmonies are a little off. This song isn’t really in Adam P’s wheelhouse. He likes to wail on classic rock songs. Whitney’s throaty rock vocals are much better suited to the song’s lanky burn. These two have ZERO chemistry. I’d pick Whitney. Blake thinks Adam’s hair is awesome. He’d pick Whitney. JHud would go for Adam. Miley wanted more stage presence from Adam, but thinks he’d be fun to watch in the lives. Adam Picks Adam Pearce. Blake and Miley BOTH steal Whitney. Hm. Miley just said she’d choose Adam P. over Whitney. Blake says Okie’s need to stick together. Adam advocates for Miley. But I think she should choose Blake. Whitney Chooses Miley. She notes that Miley DID turn for her during the blinds. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUqLwrfEGEc
Advancing to the Knockouts
Lucas Holliday
Moriah Formica
Keisha Renne
Noah Mac – Stolen by Jennifer Hudson
Chris Weaver
Kathrina Feigh – Stolen by Blake Shelton
Adam Pearce
Whitney Fenimore – Stolen by Miley Cyrus
Eliminated
Meagan McNeal
Shilo Gold
Sophia Bollman
