Tonight on NBC, The Voice season 13 Knockouts conclude and the Top 20 will be revealed!
For the last time this season, team members are pitted against each other. But in this round, each member performs a solo of their choosing. One singer will survive, the other will head home. That is, unless a fellow coach steals the losing contestant. Each coach gets ONE steal.
The Voice Season 13 Spoilers: Find Out Which Contestants Made Playoffs and Top 12
Also, American Idol OG winner Kelly Clarkson will be on hand as Key Advisor to help the teams–headed by coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus–prepare their performances. Kelly is set to sit in the big red chair along with Alicia Keys when The Voice returns for season 14 in the spring.
The Voice Season 13 Song Spoilers: Knockouts 3 – What Will the Contestants Sing?
Team Jennifer Hudson posseses the round’s remaining steal…
Chris Weaver vs Katrina Rose – Team Jennifer Hudson
Chris Weaver – I Put a Spell on You by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – Chris works professionally as a drag queen. Recently, he played Nina Simone, which inspired his song choice. Jennifer encourages him to work his bottom notes. “grip those bottom notes,” she says, calling Chris a “freight train.” Kelly suggests he add some character bits “get people disrobing!” she says. We previewed this performance earlier. Chris, who is a worship leader by day, takes the Voice audience to church with a passionate performance. His growl is MIGHTY. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOV3feKn4nI
Katrina Rose – Zombie by the Cranberries – At 22, she was the lead in a Vegas production of Hairspray. It’s been a tough go ever since. Currently, she teaches kickboxing. Stolen from Team Miley, Katrina is intimidated by Chris. But she’s got a big voice of her own. So big, that Kelly and JHud explain that she needs to draw back and be vulnerable. The song gives Katrina the opportunity to show off her insane range. It’s a little screamy though. Chris’s performance was more effortless and controlled.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct-jWIKGXTA
Adam calls Chris a “laser beam.” Blake liked that Katrina’s performance was uncontrolled. Miley feels Jennifer can’t deny Chris. Jennifer goes to the “freight train” analogy again. Unsurprisingly, Team Jennifer Picks Chris Katrina is tearful as she thanks her coaches.
Red Marlow vs Megan Rose – Team Blake Shelton
Megan Rose – Smoke Break by Carrie Underwood – Megan’s been helping to take care of her father who was diagnosed with MS. Blake stole her from Team Miley. “Wherever you go with that, it has to sound super emotional,” says Kelly. Blake suggests she work on her enunciation. Well. This is a “nice” performance, but lacks urgency and personality. Pitting her against the walking country billboard, Red? Tragic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Nz75Kw7Cg
Red Marlow – Outskirts of Heaven by Craig Campbell – A self-described country boy, the 40 year old vows to fight to stay in the competition. Despite being a “man’s man” Kelly urges him to show some emotion. The performance itself should please country fans. Red’s got that classic country sound that’s a real crowd pleaser. He knows how to connect to an audience too. Megan doesn’t stand a chance – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIs_MGr-CmM
Adam just KNOWS Red is country. “There’s no BS,” he says “Unfiltered, unpretentious.” He appreciates Megan’s big notes. Miley believed what her ex-team member was selling, but Red’s got it going on. She’d pick him. Blake thinks nerves affected her performance, but he admires her range. Of course, Team Blake picks Red
Team Jennifer Hudson will steal the singer of this last Knockout.
Anthony Alexander vs Hannah Mrozak – Team Adam Levine
Anthony Alexander – Mercy by Shawn Mendes – Currently he’s a senior in high school. Kelly and Adam want to raise the song a half step. He’s shaky on the lower notes. “You need confidence,” says Adam. This kid keeps advancing, but I find him underbaked. He’s got a nice falsetto, but he lacks confidence. He loses it a bit during the wordy verses. He’s better on the chorus. Having said that–this is his best performance so far. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4-3-F-Yfu4
Hannah Mrozak – Love on the Brain by Rihanna – Working as an esthetician in Wisconsin, her brother passed away last year . Also–she competed on Idol a few seasons ago. Kelly loves her head voice and that she can sing the low notes. Hannah sounds terrific in rehearsal. Wow. She’s gooood. Her runs are effortless–just this side of too much. But she pulls it off. She reminds me a little of Ariana Grande with that ability to reach those high high notes. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WQP3XYKVQo
Blake would give the knockout to Hannah. And Jennifer agrees. He thought Anthony was “over passionate.” She thought Hannah was more comfortable. Miley wished the staging was more intimate so that Hannah could make it “her song.” Adam notes that Anthony is “not fully baked” but is eager to help him grow as an artist. So, Team Adam Picks Anthony. At the last minute, Team Jennifer Steals Hannah. Jennifer notes Hannah has had painful life experiences like she has. She wants to help her use those emotions.
So, how about that Kelly Clarkson? My favorite mentors are those who give specific vocal and performance tips. And Kelly filled that bill quite nicely. It’s one thing to be a gifted artist. It’s another thing to be able to translate those gifts into concrete tools. The third piece is possessing the verbal skills and personality to share those tools. I’m looking forward to Kelly’s coaching stint on season 14. One caveat: She has a tendency to verbal diarrhea. I find it kind of charming? But I’m a fan. Others might be annoyed.
Next week it’s the Playoffs! Three full nights of competition. Unfortunately, the round is not live. The coaches will pick the singers moving on to the Live finals. Here’s a rundown:
Monday: Blake & Jennifer’s Teams
Tuesday: Miley’s Team
Wednesday: Adam’s Team.
Each coach will bring back an artist for a Top 24.
Advancing to the Knockouts
Chris Weaver
Red Marlow
Anthony Alexander
Hannah Mrozak – Stolen by Team Jennifer
Eliminated
Katrina Rose
Megan Rose
