The Voice 5 – The Knockout Rounds #2 – Live Blog, Results, VIDEO

The Voice - Season 5

The Knockout Rounds complete tonight! I’ll be live blogging the action right here. At the end, we’ll have a Top 20 set to go to next week’s live shows.

Click to Download iTunes Performances from The Voice

Another night of Knockouts, another night of predictable results.  In some cases, I wrote out the results before I even heard them. That’s how predictable the night was.  Except for 1 result. I expected Blake to take generic country crooner, Brandon Chase, over Austin Jenckes. I don’t think Blake is interested in a country winner this season.

I’m really disappointed that Juhi wasn’t stolen, or better yet paired up in round where she was meant to be more than mere cannon fodder. I’m thinking there was only one quirky girl slot this season, and that went to Caroline Pennell.

TWO of the four knockout steals were coaches taking back team members let go during the battles. Hm.

Things should get more interesting when the live rounds begin next week. Join us as the Top 20 compete for a spot in the finals.

The episode begins with the coaches giving each other massages. Cute.

Lina Gaudenzi vs. Preston Pohl – Team Adam – Adam tells Lina she’s dancing around the song instead of singing it. They change the arrangement a little, softening up the beginning.

Lina – “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James – Lina isn’t a great singer, but she has an interesting quality in her voice and can tell a story with her phrasing. I like her.

Preston – “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley – Preston is an amazing vocalist. He’s effortless, full of confidence. Anybody put up against him is going to lose. He injects so much warmth and soul into this classic.

Blake loved Preston. He also liked Lina, but Preston had more control. Cee Lo calls him rare, and unique. He thought the song suited Lina. Christina didn’t like Preston’s song choice. She loved Lina’s phrasing, the way she teased. Oh. Adam thought Lina was cannon fodder, it’s a tougher decision than he thought initially.  Adam Chooses Preston

E.G. Daily vs. Ray Boudreaux – Team Blake – Blake suggests that EG reel some of her power in–show her softer side. Blake knows Ray is a great singer, but feels there’s room for improvement.

EG – “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt- There’s no question EG can sing. But she’s very cabaret. She should have performed something younger to prove she can still be relevant at 52. Unfortunately, she flubbed a huge note at the end, which can’t help her cause. EG was invited to sing on the show because she’s Tommy Pickles, and would create some buzz. I didn’t expect her to last to live shows.

Ray – “Hard to Handle” by Otis Redding  – Ray sounds fantastic, but this verges on karaoke. He’s not bringing anything new to a song that’s been done to death on singing shows. He impressed me more in his battle. Here, he’s like a very very good bar cover singer.

Christina noted the breaks in EG voice. Cee Lo says Otis is smiling down on Ray. Blake Chooses Ray. Blake blames EG’s loss on her voice cracking. That’s convenient. She would have lost anyway.

Anthony Paul vs. Jacquie Lee – Team Christina – Christina thinks he’s a better singer than the song he chose. They work on making the song a better showcase for his vocal talent. Jacquie needs to work the stage more and open herself up to her audience. Christina joins her on stage to help with Jacquie’s performance. Christina is turning into a wonderful mentor. I really can’t say it enough.

Anthony – “The Other Side” by Jason DeRulo – His voice has a really sweet quality. He’s got some pitch problems, particularly when he comes down off a note or reaches. Christina was right. That was NOT the right song for him.

Jacquie –  “Stompa” by Serena Ryder – Jacquie is bursting with natural talent. Her voice is big with a rich warm quality. She’s hitting those big notes without a problem.  She manages to sing with maturity, while still appearing to be an adorable kid.

Cee Lo points out Anthony’s nerves. He’s impressed with Jacquie’s range.  Jacquie drew Adam right in. Christina Chooses Jacquie.  Christina feels bad the song didn’t work out for Anthony.

Stephanie Anne Johnson vs. Tamara Chauniece – Team Cee Lo – Cee Lo likes her yodel, but she’s got to sound vulnerable. He’s impressed with her musical taste.  Tamara needs little coaching.

Stephanie – “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones – Stephanie has her guitar in hand.  I don’t love this song for her. She’s got a unique style and phrasing, but she’s doing TOO much here. Too many embellishments and quirks and she didn’t have control over it all. I wish Cee Lo had advised her to rein it in.  A very unwieldy performance.

Tamara – “No One” by Alicia Keys – Tamara performs this familiar song with a reggae feel.  I don’t love all the choices she’s making here, but it’s an interesting arrangement, and she can sing.  I appreciate that she changed up the song. It’s another tune that’s been done to death on singing shows.

Adam felt Stephanie was unfocused. He thinks Tamara was most improved. He’d take her. Blake thinks Tamara is awesome. Christina thought both were original. But she thought Tamara nailed it. Cee Lo chooses Tamara. She reminds him of a young Anita Baker.  Oh. Christina Steals BACK Tamara! I was not expecting that. The performance had problems. but Stephanie has potential.

James Wolpert vs. Juhi Pathak – Team Adam – Adam helps James budget his breath. It’s a challenging song. Juhi has to make sure she hits the big note.

James – “More Than a Feeling” by Foreigner – This is a departure for the hip Mr. Wolpert. It definitely takes him to the edge of his vocal range. He sounds harsh and strident. It’s a very monochromatic performance. Not really digging this song choice.

Juhi – “Heard it Through The Grapevine” Creedence Clearwater Revival version –  I love that she’s performing the rock version of this song. She sounds fantastic! It’s sexy, fierce and in your face.  Her growl is perfect. I think she kicked James’ butt.

Christina thought both had moments. Adam noted that James version of the song wasn’t perfect. Juhi took his notes really well. Adam chooses James  He pretty much gave away that picking James was a foregone conclusion. Juhi was basically cannon fodder. I do not co-sign this arrangement.

Austin Jenckes vs. Brandon Chase – Team Blake –  Rather than sing it as a relationship song, Austin sings for his father, once again. Blake suggests he use the band rather than sing the acoustic version he planned. Blake worries that the song Brandon chose is too rangy.

Austin – “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain – Blah. This is such a trite song. And seriously, Austin has to let go of the dead daddy backstory. It’s time to rely on the vocals. I’m not feeling this song. It’s so overdone at this point. Song choice, people.

Brandon – “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” by Eli Young Band. – Brandon has a very commercial country sound. He’s easy on the eyes and the ears. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t win this round.

Christina was looking more dimension in his louds and softs. Even though Brandon was pitchy she liked him. Adam likes them both. They both belong here. Blake heard pitch issues from both of them. Adam prefers pitchy singers who are sharp, so He Chooses Austin. OK. Color me shocked. Sure, he’s generic, but Brandon has commercial appeal.  He would have raked in the votes.

Caroline Pennell vs. George Horga Jr. – Team Cee Lo – Cee Lo wants Caroline to come out of her shell. He gives George performance tips. His Romanian parents have given him one year to follow his dreams. Sheesh.

Caroline – “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michelson – Indie girl covers Indie girl. I’d prefer Caroline to surprise me with a twist on an unexpected song. But she’s singing well here with great pitch and phrasing. It’s an effortless and easy performance.

George – “Because of You” by Ne-Yo –  Geez. What a match up.  He’s competent, but he’s no Ne-Yo. There’s something really smarmy about this kid. I can’t take him seriously. He’s got a nice falsetto? It doesn’t matter. He’s not going to beat pet Caroline.

Blake calls out George’s pitch problems.  Caroline makes Blake want to curl up in bed with a cup of hot cocoa. That would be a sight. Christina calls Caroline effortlessly angelic. Cee Lo chooses Caroline.

Matthew Schuler vs. Will Champlin – Team Christina – I think we know where this is going. Christina advises Matthew to pace himself.  Christina croons a little Bruno Mars.  Oh man WILL’S WIFE HAS A BRAIN TUMOR. He didn’t make it part of his backstory, because he didn’t think it was appropriate.

Matthew – “Cosmic Love” by Florence + The Machine – Matthew continues to have flawless taste in music. He’s really something special! His rendition of this song is moving, powerful and quite simply amazing. WOW WOW WOW. The best performance of the night.

Will – “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars –  I have to admit Will is growing on me. He seemed really bland initially. He’s an AC stylist, but a damn good one. I appreciate some of the subtle things he does with phrasing. A very soulful and heartfelt version of the song.

Who will Christina pick? Doesn’t matter. A steal is about to happen. Cee Lo gives both a standing ovation.  He calls Matthew the Mike Tyson of The Voice. Adam thought Matthew killed it. But Will followed him well. Christina loved them both so much, but Christina Chooses Matthew and then of course, Adam Steals Back Will. I thought Matthew won the round.

About mj santilli 34833 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!