The Voice: Heat Wave

On tonight’s episode of The Voice the remaining three contestants from each team face off in the same night hoping to make it to the Top 10. The air conditioning is broken, the coaches are sweating….and I’m not really complaining about that. Don’t judge me. With 12 performances on the horizon, the heat in that place is bound to get unbearable. Let’s get going!

Contestant: Vedo
Team: Usher

Song: “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson

Usher brought in a choreographer this week to help out his team, and Vedo certainly needed with a Michael Jackson song. My first impression is – Vedo is not Michael Jackson or Usher even. It’s a fun way to kick off the show but dude just kind of comes off as an impersonator who doesn’t quite get the job done.

Coaches Say: Shakira thinks the work Vedo did with his coach and choreographer really paid off. Blake thinks the choreography complimented the singing, telling him the performance was awesome. Usher thinks Vedo is on his way to being a "full entertainer" who sings and dances. I imagine Shakira's hips take that as a compliment.

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Contestant: Holly Tucker
Team: Blake

Song:  “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride

Holly is definitely my favorite Team Blake contestant, and she’s singing a song that I love so it’s a win-win for me.  She looks confident, sounds amazing, and right now I’m thinking “Vedo, who?” Not to sound like Randy Jackson (I’ll regret this later I’m sure), but the competition just got started!

Coaches Say: Usher says Holly is meant to do this, calling her performance incredible. He hopes she never has another doubt about belonging on stage. Shakira tries to talk like Blake and it makes me smile. Adam thinks the performance was just another example of Holly being great. Blake says that this was the best Holly has sounded so far in the competition.

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Contestant: Garrett Gardner
Team: Shakira

Song:  “I Want It That Way” by The Backstreet Boys

Oh no. A song from a boy band who peaked when I was in college? I almost write this performance off before it begins but I decide to give him the benefit of the doubt. He tries to make it a rock song though…and it just doesn’t work. It’s a shame too because I like Garrett and I was really excited that he made it this far. I don’t know though. Good thing for him he seems to have the teenage girl fan base going.  

Coaches Say: Adam tells Garrett he is a teen heart throb but didn't love the song choice. Blake thinks that sometimes to figure out who an artist is, you have to throw them something out of left field. Usher says if there's no risk, there's no reward. Shakira is drowned out by the screaming girls but I do hear her say something about Garrett being cool as hell.

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Contestant: Sarah Simmons
Team: Adam

Song: “The Story” by Brandi Carlile

Sarah has soooo much power in her voice. I might love her. Sometimes her vocals are borderline screams, but she includes just the right of pull back when she needs to and her version of this song is just fantastic.

Coaches Say: Usher has taken his shirt off. I’m not sure what anyone is saying about Sarah right now, but it seems like everyone enjoys it.

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Contestant:  The Swon Brothers

Team: Blake

Song: "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?" by George Jones

Taking on a song by a recently departed country music icon is very risky. However, the performance is wonderful. With one brother at the piano and the other seated with a guitar, the message is just right. A picture of George Jones lingers in the background, and candles in a “G” shape flicker on the piano. The boys sound amazing together and this rendition is a very touching tribute to George Jones.

Coaches Say: Usher thinks the performance was incredible and Adam says the performance made him forget this is a competition show. Blake had given them a standing ovation, and he tells The Swon Brothers that they honored both George Jones as well as country music itself.

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Contestant:  Sasha Allen

Team: Shakira

Song: “Alone” by Heart

See, this is one of those songs that should be retired on reality TV shows. I feel like we hear it wayyyy to often. That being said, she gives a very dramatic performance (Broadway-ish?)... she's just full of emotion. I miss the “rock” aspect of the song, but I can’t fault her for trying to connect to the lyrics as much as possible.  

Coaches Say: Adam regrets giving Sasha up, and he should. Usher thinks Sasha took us all to church. Shakira takes it a step further, calling the performance heavenly.

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Contestant: Josiah Hawley

Team: Usher

Song: “The Man That Can’t Be Moved” by The Script

 

Josiah sits surrounded by the audience to get a more intimate feel. Given that his jeans are painted on, I’m not sure how much more intimate we can get on NBC. This is actually a really good performance.  I haven’t really paid much attention to Josiah up until now. I imagine he will surpass Garrett in the teenage girl fan department though. Good for him.

 

Coaches Say: Adam thinks the song complemented the “sweet spot” of Josiah’s voice. Blake thinks Usher and Josiah complement each other well, and he loved the performance.  Usher thinks Josiah trusted his own instincts and showed a different side of himself.

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Contestant: Danielle Bradbery

Team: Blake

Song: “Wasted” by Carrie Underwood

This kid is soooo talented. It’s crazy to think she’s only 16. I also love how Blake sings along from his seat as if he’s just having a really great time at a concert. All he needs is a beer…maybe he has one under his seat. Danielle has the “sit back and nod your head while I sing” vibe about her though. This is a very pleasant performance and I enjoy it.

Coaches Say: Shakira never detects an ounce of nerves from Danielle. She calls her a 16 year old Margaret Thatcher…a mini Iron Lady. I hope Danielle realizes this is a complement. I imagine her running to Wikipedia as soon as she leaves the stage. Adam thinks Danielle is the one to beat, and I think that’s kind of a premature statement. Blake wants people to know that Danielle is exactly the girl we think she is – an All American girl. A kid growing up before our eyes.

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Contestant: Judith Hill

Team: Adam

Song: “You’ve Got A Friend” by Carole King

Judith sits behind the piano and delivers perfection. I actually can’t even type while she sings. Her voice just commands attention, and I’m actually really sad when the song ends. She’s fantastic.

Coaches Say: Blake says the performance was beautiful and powerful. Usher thinks everything Judith does is key – she is in control of her own destiny. Adam says that her talent is a gift that cannot be taught. He also believes she might be the most talented person (all around) in the competition. I don’t think there’s a “might” involved here.

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Contestant:  Michelle Chamuel

Team: Usher

Song: “Call Your Girlfriend” by Robyn

I love Michelle’s confidence and energy. I do think, however, the either the band is drowning her out or she’s just not singing loud enough. Michelle’s rocking some red leather pants though, and she clearly worked with the choreographer this week…so I really can’t complain too much.

Coaches Say: Shakira loves that Michelle has learned how to sing and dance at the same time. Adam says Michelle is one of his favorites because she is so unique. Usher adores Michelle and the way she gives 100% in all of her performances.

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Contestant:  Kris Thomas

Team: Shakira

Song: “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5

This Michael Jackson cover contains no MJ choreography and I’m good with that. Kris really has a great voice and makes this performance look easy. I worry that he’s not really one of the “stand outs” in the competition, but I think he did a good job tonight.

Coaches Say: Adam thinks Kris took on quite a task with this song and rose to the occasion. Blake thinks the song pushed Kris to the extreme and really proved himself. Usher thinks Kris had a hard time trying to figure out if he wanted to sing more of the Jackson 5 version or the Mariah Carey version, saying Kris struggled a bit. Shakira believes Kris is really fighting to win the competition and thinks his performance was sincere.

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Contestant:  Amber Carrington

Team: Adam

Song: "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" by Martina McBride

This song is incredibly personal for Amber and she lays it all out on the table with this performance. She’s emotional from the start but her vocals never waver. As much as I love my girl, Judith… Amber wins the night with this performance.

Coaches Say: Blake says Amber did Martina proud and Nashville proud. Usher thinks Amber defies the laws of gravity with her voice. Shakira thinks it was smart for Amber to return to her country roots, and Adam is beyond impressed with her performance. He compliments her strength and tells her she can do anything.

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So with that, it's really hard to say who is in danger tomorrow. The coaches no longer have the option to save their team members, so the two contestants/acts with the lowest number of votes will be heading home. We'll see who makes it to the Top 10 during the results show. Til then!