The Voice 10 Recap – Blind Auditions #4 Live Blog and VIDEO

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The Voice Top 20 Spoilers

Tamar Davis – Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin – She’s 35 and was in the FIRST version of “Destiny’s Child” called “Girls Time.”  In a refreshing non-stage parent move, her folks took her out of the group because they thought she was too young for show business. She cried. And then Destiny’s Child hit it big and she probably cried some more. But, she realizes her parents were correct to give her back a childhood. She went on to college to major in music business. Afterward, she did demo work and eventually sang in Prince’s house band! She met super-producer Tyler Perry who cast her in one of his shows. He urged her to audition for The Voice. Oooo. Tyler is backstage supporting her!  Christina turns immediately. Everybody should just let Xtina have this one, honestly.  Although she does have a good range and a strong upper register, Tamar is an old-fashioned belter, the likes of which we’ve heard many times before.  Blake turns at the last minute, keeping his promise to mess with Xtina.  Christina will help her step out of the background, she promises. Pick songs for her that aren’t so played out while you’re at it, please. Blake name drops Season 2 winner Jermaine Paul.  But in the end, Tamar, unsurprisingly and wisely chooses Xtina. – Tamar Chooses Team Christina –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvc06gkTAbQ

Jessica Crosbie – Viva La Vida by Coldplay – She grew up in England, but her mom is American. See how that works? Cornwall UK was too small to hold her dreams of a music career, so she and her American passport moved to Atlanta. The music scene was so welcoming, she fell in love with the city.  Having grown up listening to Maroon 5, she’s hoping to be on Team Adam. This song doesn’t really work as a “delicate” ballad. The story–about a powerful King who suffers a mighty fall–is big and majestic. This arrangement makes no sense. Props for changing it up. But it doesn’t do it for me. There were pitch and breath control problems too. However, she got Christina, Adam and Pharrell to punch their buttons. The general pitch was “You have potential….we can help you.” And of course, since Jessica namechecked Adam, she chose a different coach. Pharrell. –  Jessica Chooses Team Pharrell – Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpfWwAr8LDA

Justin Whisnant – Ain’t Worth the Whiskey by Cole Swindell – He’s a small town country singer, raised in the church by his grandparents in Bearden Oklahoma. After high school, he worked in the oil fields, it left no room for music, so he quit. Currently he’s playing in a local band and hopes to push through to the next level with The Voice. He’s a country singer, but also loves R&B and soul. Justin has a radio ready country drawl with a beautiful tone and incredible pitch. He’s comfortable working the stage and well put together too,  with slicked back hair, suspenders and flood pants in lieu of the typical cowboy hat and boots. This one is interesting.  Adam is the first to turn, and much to his annoyance, Blake eventually turns. When Justin’s hometown is revealed, Adam gives up. Literally.  The singer’s sense of style confuses Blake completely. Adam insists he doesn’t care for musical genres. Blake says his passion is country music, and hints their relationship will live beyond the show. Of course, Justin Picks Team Blake –  Download from iTunes

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

Jackie Lipson – Exes and Ohs by Elle King – She was obese as a child and suffered self esteem issues as a result, despite having an outgoing personality. She tears up discussing her struggles. She attended college in New York City and lost 100 pounds.  Pharrell ALMOST pushes his button. Ah, those pitchy high notes are going to assure nobody turns. Her voice crack at one point She’s obviously nervous and becomes even more so as she realizes the coaches  aren’t interested.  There’s potential there for a redo. Blake blamed the pitch issues. Christina suggests she come back and try a different song. Pharrell was looking for more vocal control. – NO TURNS

Daniel Passino – Marvin Gaye by Charlie Puth – He sang along to Christina when he was a kid. He learned instruments in middle school and eventually went to the University of Michigan to study music. He took Opera class! Life as a performer has been a struggle–he tears up talking about it. First of all, this Charlie Puth song is all kinds of cornball. No points for song choice. Sorry. Daniel is a decent blue-eyed soul singer, but The Voice has seen better. I’m sticking to that until he proves me wrong, which he could. Last season, I was pretty meh on Jeffery Austin initially. But man. Song choice dude. Christina turns first. Blake turns at the last minute. It’s another Blake vs XTina showdown. “Let’s get it on man!” says Blake. Christina reminds him she pushed first. “I’m a member of the Grand Old Opra” cracks Blake. NO MORE HORRIBLE PUNS FOR GOD’S SAKE DANIEL CHOOSE CHRISTINA. And he does. Daniel Picks Team Christina –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN8u3xKZYfg

Owen Danoff – Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright by Bob Dylan –  Host Carson Daly visits Owen where he lives in Greenwich Village NYC. He’s played all the big folk venues in the neighborhood.  OMG HIS DAD WAS IN THE STARLAND VOCAL BAND RESPONSIBLE FOR LITERALLY THE WORST SONG OF THE MID 70’s AFTERNOON DELIGHT I AM LAUGHING SO HARD. Here’s the Video if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Dad also wrote some big hits for John Denver including “Take Me Home Country Roads” which is actually impressive.  Oh. He co-wrote Emmylou Harris’ classic “Boulder to Birmingham” and you can’t knock that. Not at all.  Owen appears to be a chip off the old block, bringing warmth, vulnerability and verve to a classic Bob Dylan song.  Adam, Christina and Pharrell turn pretty fast. Blake eventually does his last minute thing. Four turns. Adam compliments his strong identity. All four compliment his heartfelt delivery and assure him they understand where he’s coming from. For instance, Blake notes that country music is lyric driven just like folk music. Oh. He attended Berklee.  When the coaches ask about his dad’s Grammy, Owen’s face flinches JUST slightly. Heh. DECISION AFTER THE BREAK. Blake compares Owen to Sawyer Fredericks. Naw, reminds me of traditional folkie Josh Davis from the same season –  Owen chooses Team Adam. –   Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMprskz0DMU

Maya Smith – Do Right Woman, Do Right Man by Aretha Franklin – Currently she works at the Post Office, just as her mother did. Mom supports her dreams, understanding why Maya wants something more than sorting mail. Maya’s singing career started in karaoke bars and eventually led to local gigs. When Pharrell turns it’s like her face is gonna break, she smiles so hard. Despite the old school song choice, she’s got a modern sound. Not a big voice, but smooth and rangy. I would love to hear her perform contemporary material. Christina turns at the last minute. Christina hears some Beyonce in there and is excited for song choices. Oooo. She’s selling herself well.  Pharrell feels the shade from Christina! He noted some pitchy stuff, but would love to work with her. Maya says later that she likes Pharrell’s cross-genre approach. Despite Christina’s hard sell, Maya picks Team Pharrell –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CDSo7kY0DY

Nolan Neal –  Drive by Incubus – He comes from a musical family and plays and produces for others. Horrible horrible backstory ahead: Right after he got a major record deal, his dad shot himself.  Dad became despondent after a drug arrest, threatening to kill himself.  Nolan assured him the new record deal would solve all of the family’s problems. But when dad scoffed, insisting Nolan’s deals always fall through, the son hung up and wouldn’t return his father’s calls. Dad follows through on his suicide threat. Nolan is wracked with guilt and can barely function. After the label dropped him Nolan got sober.  During the performance, Adam whispers that he’s singing the wrong song. It’s real pitchy too. Nobody turns. Mom is all “NOOOOOO.” Adam liked the rasp and the range. He sang a little of a Steven Tyler song, revealing a strong classic-sounding rock voice. Adam regrets not turning, as does Blake. They all urge him to come back next season with a different song. – No Turns

Brittney Lawrence – Warrior by Demi Lovato – She’s been a cheerleading coach since freshman year in high school.  Although music is her first passion, she’s been studying to be a teacher. Her home is a music sanctuary, thanks to her extremely supportive mom who becomes teary just thinking about her daughter’s dreams. Brittney has tried out for The Voice SEVEN times and never got before the coaches until now.  I can see why Brittney has been turned down so many times. Her voice is powerful and rangy, but I’m not feeling much star power here. Christina turns first, Blake turns at the very last second. I WASN’T EXPECTING THAT AT ALL. Adam calls Blake’s last minute tactic “sneaky.” I call it “annoying” and “We get it you can stop now.”  Pharrell missed Brittney’s vibrato. She needs to work on that, he says. Christina demonstrates what he’s talking about pretty spectacularly with a line from “I Will Always Love You.” Christina seems like a no brainer for this one but she picks Blake? She’s probably attracted to his track record as a proven winner. Also, she namechecked Christina in her package which meant nope, wouldn’t be picking her. Brittaney Picks Team Blake–  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHKc9CXxRtA

Montage!!!

Teresa Guidry – Girl Crush by Little Big Town – Download from iTunes – Team Blake,  Chelsea Gann – Wild Angels By Martina McBride – Download from iTunes – Team Christina, Lily Green – Songbird by Fleetwood Mac – Download from iTunes – Team Adam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mFO3PcjiMg

Matt Tedder – (I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man by Muddy Waters – This Nashville transplant is into all the blues greats like BB King whom he met. We see him out in the street busking with a slide guitar. He teaches guitar lessons too. Only Adam turned his chair, complimenting him on his slide guitar playing, which is admittedly, impressively skillful. Pharrell wonders if blues is the kind of music he wants to do going forward. Matt assures him that it is. Pharrell notes that Matt’s style comes from a completely different era of music, which I think gives away the reason Pharrell didn’t push his button. Matt’s bluesy vocals are gritty and passionate, but the jury is out on his versatility.  Matt is a Member of Team Adam –  Download from iTunes

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

Joe Maye – I Put a Spell On You by Screamin Jay Hawkins – He auditioned last season with “Word Up.” His decision to dance along meant breath control and pitch issues. I remember that dude! He went back to his bartending gig. Ellie Lawrence and Mark Hood, whom he became friendly with last season, are on hand to lend him support. He doesn’t plan to dance this time. He’s a little nervous with Xtina in the house. This time he swings for the fences, going completely over the top with a crazy pants rendition of “I Put a Spell On You.” The coaches can’t help but notice THAT and indeed, Christina turns immediately. We put up a preview earlier today.  Blake does the last minute button thingy. Zzzz. Joe saves the dancing for after the song, celebrating his chair turns as if he just scored a touchdown. Heh. Pharrell remembers him well and compliments his song choice this time. Xtina and Blake go at it for awhile until Pharrell suggests Christina get up on stage and sing with Joe.  They duet–Joe sticks to the melody while Xtina ad libs all over the place. They might kill each other by the end of the song, it’s that over the top–but so entertaining. It’s amazing how a song choice can make all the difference. Mark and Ellie are super pumped afterward! Blake is actually a dead man, for real. Of course Joe Picks Team Christina –  Download from iTunes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApJ0UPR5eqE

Oh. They promo tomorrow’s CLIP SHOW without actually mentioning, you know CLIP SHOW Y’ALL HAVE SEEN THIS ALREADY. Check it out if you need to catch up! We’ll be back on Monday to live blog a fresh episode.