The Voice 10 Recap – Blind Auditions #3 Live Blog and VIDEO

Hannah Huston – Unaware by Allen Stone – She’s a pre-school teacher. Her kids are a hoot! She loved singing growing up, but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago when she sang for a friend’s wedding that she committed to becoming a performer. Since then, Hannah has been singing in coffee shops in her small town in Nebraska. When her kids Skype in to wish Hannah good luck, she tears up. She really is a music newbie, and as such she’s impressive. Great song choice and her phrasing is quirky in a good way. It takes a bit to get a button push. Finally, after a huge money note, she gets 3 turns–Christina, Pharrell and Blake. Waiting until the last minute is definitely a deliberate drama tactic this season. Hannah has a strong voice!  Christina loves the rasp, she’s a fan! Pharrell babbles on about Hannah’s voice bubbling out of her…or something. Xtina sees the fire and sass! She can help bring that out.  Blake loved her soulfulness and accurate falsetto. Her last note, with the rasp slayed him. Hanna Picks Team Pharrell – Download from iTunes

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

Brian Nhira – Happy by Pharrell Williams – He’s a Zimbabwe immigrant. His parents have 10 degrees between them. He’s a Christian who has gone on missions and was a worship leader at Oral Roberts University. He calls himself a pop singer, though. He loves the catchy hooks and melodies. The family lives in Oklahoma. Blake will have a field day with tat. His instinctive hip swiveling is decidedly non-Christian like. His voice is a little reedy, but he’s got a nice groove and there is something appealing about his optimism. Again, delayed button pushing is happening here. Pharrell and Blake eventually turn. Blake is sure he doesn’t have a shot against Pharrell…until he finds out that Brian is from Tulsa. He gets up to sing Happy and clap. “We Okies have to stick together.” Pharrell thinks Brian sings the song better than he does.  “Jesus Loves Me” was the first song Brian ever performed. Pharrell requests a rendition. So Much Jesus on The Voice. Pharrell calls it a beautiful. And of course…Brian chooses Pharrell. Brian Picks Team Pharrell –   Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vg7FwFCR40

Ajia – “Say Something” by A Great Big World – She comes from a family of Jazz musicians. OH WAIT A MINUTE SHE’S MARRIED TO ANDY GRAMMER.  They met in college. Her husband’s career is blowing up, but hers not so much. If this doesn’t work out? Well she’s not sure where she’ll be headed. And guess what. Nobody turns. Yikes.  Honestly, she’s pretty mediocre. Nothing special going on there, unfortunately. She sounds really nervous, too. Andy is off stage rooting for her. He’s got this dumbstruck look on his face as NOT ONE CHAIR TURNS. Oh boy. Christina wanted more tenderness, Blake was looking for consistency. They have no idea who she is. Andy is really proud of her, nevertheless. Sill you have to wonder if professional jealousy will get in the way of that relationship. No Turns. Here’s the look on Andy’s Face as NO COACHES TURN for his wife.

That look in his eyes. We just. ? #VoiceBlinds pic.twitter.com/uZzoQi49Gw

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 8, 2016

Aija’s performance

Brittany Kennell – Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow – This Berklee School of Music graduate lives in Nashville, by way of Canada. She writes songs and plays mostly country clubs! It’s tough to be heard in such a competitive environment. Brittany has a buttery tone and nice vibrato. She’s a nice hybrid between folk and country and manages to make “Strong Enough” her own. Blake turns right away. “I like that,” he says. Pharrell punches his button at the very last minute and Blake is NOT happy. “An illegal motion!” “Hashtag Button Gate!” crows Adam. Christina had compared her to Gwen, “Two girls I really like!” Blake gushes. Pharrell compliments her tone and “crispy” vibrato. She’s been writing with Buddy Owens,whom Blake knows. He asks the crowd for their opinion and a “Pick Blake” wheel of fortune style sign appears. Adam changes Pick” to “Lick.” Of course, she picks Blake. She would have been dumb otherwise. Brittany Picks Blake –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU3IJV2UrxE

Natalie Yacovazzi – Mr. Know it All by Kelly Clarkson – She’s back after not getting a turn season 9. She went back to her job as a credit card processor. She’s a mom too. Her daughter wants her to pick Blake because he does THIS. And she imitates his finger pointing. So cute. She wants to show her daughter that never giving up makes a difference.  Countrifying the the Kelly Clarkson tune a bit, she comes out of the gate growling up a storm and immediately gets a chair turn from Adam. And that’s the only turn she gets. “She’s all mine!” declares Adam. Adam explains that he kept poker face to confuse the others (???). It’s nice she got a turn, but I don’t see her lasting long.  That performance was full of shouty desperation. Blake was waiting for Christina to turn. She swears she pushed her button, but it was too late. If that’s true, the last minute tactic can backfire.  When Adam sets Nicole up as cannon fodder in a battle, Xtina can steal her! – Team Adam –  Download from iTunes  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5vgclzkKQU

Malik Heard – Chains by Nick Jonas – His parents played sports in college. He played sports too, but music was his real love. The music thing was new for the parents, but they support him nevertheless. He’s putting off college for now to try his hand at show business. Christina and Pharrell turn immediately. This audition has a preview. Check it out.  His soulful voice is delicious. He CAN do ad libs, which Christina calls “accurate and amazing.”  Malik is a natural performer. I feel a little MJ vibe going on there.  Pharrell and Christina battle it out for Malik. Adam decides to stay out of it. The Producer Vs The Singer comparisons ensue. Pharrell drops Justin Timberlake and Britney. He produced them. But Christina knew them. The battle gets pretty fierce. Predictably, we have to wait until after break to get the results. Surprisingly, Pharrell’s super hard sell didn’t work! Malik Chooses Team Christina – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TH7EXyU7GU

Peyton Parker – Dreams by Fleetwood Mac – She’s been a cheerleader since first grade, but after an injury, she had to give it up. She turned to music. Her parents pulled up stakes in Georgia and moved to Nashville to help fulfill her dreams. Her dad had to scramble for landscaping work. Her mom manages her. For free. Pharrell and Christina turn first. Blake is next. Adam thinks about pushing and doesn’t Seriously, the vocal is decent but NOT a 4 chair turn. For me, she channelled Stevie Nicks without bringing her own spin to a VERY familiar tune. Adam refers to “guys and ladies” and Blake responds, “Manboobs does not qualify me as a lady.”  Pharrell wonders what she likes to sing–her own songs and country music she says. Pharrell calls Nashville “Blakeville.” Christina points out she’ll be a unique member of her team, rather than competing for a country spot on Team Blake. She mocks Blake’s spiel and it’s pretty funny. When Blake, compares Peyton to Ashley Monroe you know it’s all over. Pharrell and Christina try hard to woo her away from the obvious choice. Christina puts on a cowboy hat to demonstrate her love for Peyton (she just HAPPENED to have one back there?) Sadly it’s all for naught. Peyton Chooses Team Blake –  Download from iTunes

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

Montages:

Gina Castanzo – Cecilia and the Satellite by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness –Download from iTunes and Trey O’Dell – Geronimo by Sheppard – Download from iTunes BOTH go to Team Blake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz6vy1avJ8M

Kristen Marie – Mad World by Tears for Fears – Another Oklahoman. She’s a musical theater major at a college in state. She’s an indie jazz singer. NOT country and it’s not easy where she lives. Her dad wanted her to be a lawyer, but the parents are supportive…as long as she finishes college! There are some weird stylistic flourishes going on here that I find distracting. She needs to dial back the theatrics.  No one turns right away. Eventually Christina does, and then Blake. Of course, Blake freaks out when he finds out where she’s from. Being from a place doesn’t matter that much, insists Adam. Christina reminds Kristen that she’s had hits all over the world, including Oklahoma. “Oakies stick together!” insists Blake, who shouts to Mom to tell Gina to pick him. Christina compares her to Adele and Sia. Kristen says she nailed her influences. That spiel from Kristen’s video package about feeling like an outsider in Oklahoma as a jazz/pop singer, was a pretty big clue. Unsurprisingly Kristen Chooses Team Christina – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIWcWRLau6A

Evan Taylor Jones – Homegrown by Zac Brown Band – He grew up in Englewood so the family took off and landed in Orlando, where they encountered racism. His mother died of cancer.  He dug through her collection of music and when his stepfather bought him a guitar, his music career really began. Nobody is turning. When they turn, and see a black dreadlocked dude…. Evan has a really pleasing resonant tone. Yeah, there are some pitch things, but his tone got my attention. He deserved at least one turn. “You just sang a country song!” But Blake could tell country wasn’t always his thing. Christina felt he was too many different things. Singing country seems to have confused everyone. Pharrell urges him to come back. “He sounded like a soul singer singing a country song which was really weird,” says Adam HUH? DARIUS RUCKER Y’ALL. Whatever – No Turns

Nate Butler – The Walk By Mayer Hawthorne – He travelled the world with the Philadelphia Boys Choir. He was teased about it as a kid. But in high school he got ALL the lead in the musicals. He just graduated and works as a busboy. “I don’t look like I sound,” he says. Uhm. What is he supposed to look like? He’s got a really nice falsetto. There are a couple of pitchy things in there, the performance could have been more fluid, but overall a strong soulful singer. Nobody turns right away. Blake, Adam and Pharrell turn on the last note. OK THIS LAST MINUTE DEAL IS NO LONGER DRAMATIC Y’ALL.  At the first couple of notes, Pharrell thought he was a “chick,” until Nate transitioned into his chest voice. Pharrell wants to “dive deeper into who he is and who he is going to be.” Adam narrows in on what he feels can be improved–he’ll work with Nate on his transitions from chest to falsetto. Blake loves his chest voice. The falsettos weren’t perfect, but he sees the potential. Nate chooses the coach offering specific notes for improvement, which is actually a smart thing to do. Nate Picks Team Adam– Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i_z6nNaepM

Ryan Quinn – Can’t Find My Way Home by Blind Faith – He’s living at home with his family, including his musician dad. He formed his first band at 15. He co-teaches children who have suffered trauma. He contracted Lyme disease and became very ill, but is through with putting his life on hold. He SAYS he wants Pharrell for a coach, which means, of course, he won’t choose him in the end.  Ryan’s vocal on the first verse of his performance is deceptive. At first, he displays a soft, mellow and folkish vibe.  But by the time he’s hit the last chorus, he’s belting amazing power notes. He’s a versatile, elastic singer. I have a feeling Ryan will be the favorite of many The Voice fans. He is nerdishly cute, can sing and loves the chirrun. Singing show porn!  Christina is the first to turn. Adam can’t figure out if it’s a girl a guy. When he finally figures it out,  he turns, along with Pharrell. Blake turns last. Adam has his claws out! Christina calls him a voice that needs to be heard. Ryan namechecks Sam Cook, Stevie Wonder and Jeff Buckley. Blake compliments his high notes. Good will is always rewarded in the end, says Pharrell offering props for his work with kids. Adam GLOATS when Ryan chooses him. celebrating with a little ballerina pirouette.  Ryan Picks Team Adam. – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcBKZXlPt0g