The Voice: Battle Rounds Continues

The battle rounds are almost over and I am counting down for the live shows. Last week, there were a few surprises on who got to stay and who had to go to the house. I really have a love/ hate relationship with the battle rounds because some of the contestants that should stay are sent home and it sometimes seem that the judges lose focus on what is needed to win in the live shows . For example: It is important to have a powerhouse vocalist on the team for live because it makes great television and you are able to do more vocal style wise if they have a large range. I guess we will see this week on the surprise battle rounds on Monday.

Tuesday night show started off with the battle between Austin Ellis and Justin Kaufman sing the feel good anthem, ” Happy” by Pharell.  I was not feeling Austin’s performance and there is just something about Justin’s voice that is  so cool.  My pick was Justin and Team Adam agreed sending Austin home.

My favorite duo Alaska and Madi were put up against Audra  McLaughlin singing the classic , “When will I be Loved” by Linda Ronstandt. I thought the harmonies were great and both showed they should both be kept on the show. This is an example of how the judges don’t pay attention. I thought Blake should have kept Alaska and Madi because it would have left Audra to be picked up by another judge. Duos are hard to steal especially if there is already one on a team.  Team Blake chose Audra  and Alaska and Madi were sent home.

Deja and Music Box were put together for battle. I couldn’t quite understand how the choice was made for this battle. Music Box’s vocals are much stronger that Deja’s and she seemed to have more of a presence in my opinion.  The song chosen for them to sing was, ” Eterntal Flame ” the Bangles. This song played towards Deja’s strengths because it was not a powerful ballad and Music Box performed well but a little too strong for what was needed. Deja was kept by Team Adam and Team Usher stole Music Box for his team.

The pairing of Madilyn  Paige and Tanner James were a winning suggestion for battles. “Everything’s Change” by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran was a genius song for them. These two are from the same place , went to same high school and never met. The chemistry was apparent and it showed on stage.  I thought they both should have been chosen. Madilyn was kept on Team Usher and Tanner was a no go for the other judges.

Another duo to battle  was Dawn and Hawkes against Josh Murley. Another excellent harmonizing performance with the song choice “by Team Adam , “Stuck in the Middle With You ” by Steele Wheel . The three really put on a feel good show. Josh was stolen by Shakira and Dawn and Hawkes lived another day on Team Adam.

Cary Laine and Sam Behymer sung Ed Sheeran’s ” Give Me Love”. It was apparent to me that Cary should have won this one hands down. I was not a fan of Sam’s because I thought she could only sound one way. In her audition, she song “Royals” by Lorde and sounded too similar.  It came down to a matter of taste and Team Adam kept Sam, leaving  Cary to be sent home.

” Everything” by Michael Buble’ was a bland song choice for Noah Lis and Kayleigh Glanton. Neither performance really stood out to me ,but since a choice had to be made, I would have kept Kayleigh because she has a range and different song choice could show what she was really made of. Team Blake kept Kayleigh and Noah was sent home.

The last battle of the evening was Cierra Mickens and Emily B. Both have powerful vocals and showed it during their rendition of ” Brave” by Sara Bareilles.  I was a fan of Cierra when she sung “Crazy ” by Gnarls Barkley . The performance had some mistakes ,but not enough to rule out their places on the stage. Emily B. was the winner of  the round and Cierra was picked up by Team Usher.

Monday Night will be a surprise new twist adding another battle round giving judges one more time to perfect their teams before going live.  Chris Martin from Coldplay will be the surprise mentor as they battle for their places on the live show.

I am so excited. Who are you wanting to see live? Tweet Me @AngelaYvonne

I’ll be singing you,

Angela-Yvonne

 

 

The Voice Is Back ! Usher , Shakira, Blake and Adam!

So excited that The Voice is back with Usher and Shakira. If you are a true fan like me, you already know that Ceelo will not be returning.. I kinda like the chemistry between Usher, Shakira, Adam and Blake. They all seem so humble and not believing their own hype.

The Voice has returned Monday and Tuesday with the best premiere of raw talent I have seen in all of the five seasons. I have already chosen two that will be in the top 5.

Monday night premiered with the judges singing each others hits ,  which I thought was amazing. Shakira was paired with Blake and Usher was with Adam.

The show started with Christina Grimmie, who has become known on You Tube with 2 million subscribers. She sung Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus. She received a three chair turn, choosing Team Adam.

TJ Wilkins, also received a three chair turn singing Bennie and The Jets by Elton John. He chose Team Usher.

Kristin Merlin, who once opened up for Sugarland , sung Something More, received a two chair turn. She chose Team Shakira.

Biff Gore , a soon to be father of six, chose A Change is Gone Come by Sam Cooke. He received a four chair turn and he chose Team Usher.

A duo named Dawn and Hawkes , performed the song I’ve seen a face by the Beetles. They received a two chair turn and they chose Team Adam.

Jeremy Briggs sung Bad Company by Bad Company, receiving a two chair turn and he chose Team Shakira.

The voice is about second chances , Jake Worthington, returned after taking Blake’s advice  in a past season. He received a three chair turn with a touching ballad, Don’t Close Your Eyes. He is on Team Blake.

Bria Kelly, ended the night with a soul wrenching version of The Steamroller Blues. Team Usher scooped her up.

Tuesday night did not disappoint. Another returned contestant from season five, Delvin Choice, who was given the advice of a better song choice. Delvin came back to a four chair turn with A Song for You by Donny Hathaway.

Madilyn Paige performed an angelic version of Titanium by David Gutta. Two chairs turned for her and she chose Team Usher.

Noah Lis brought back a jazzy version of Me and Mrs. Jones and he chose Team Blake.

Sixteen year old Deja Hall wowed the judges with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors with a three chair turn, she chose Team Shakira.

Cary Laine, a country singer received a four chair turn with Better Dig Two by The Band Perry and did a shocking pick by choosing Team Adam

My picks so far for the Top 5 is Delvin and Christina.. What are your thoughts? Make sure to Tweet with me on Mondays and Tuesdays. Tweet Me @AngelaYvonne

It it going to be a great season!

Angela-Yvonne