The Voice: Sasha Fierce

On tonight’s episode of The Voice our remaining six contestants take on two songs as we get closer to the season’s end. One song will be chosen by the contestants and the other will be chosen by their coach. Only one will go home this week, because why not? Now that Judith and Sarah are gone, why not stop eliminating two contestants? Geesh. Let's just get going.

Contestant: Holly Tucker
Team: Blake
Song: “When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues” by Martina McBride

The personality Holly was lacking last week is definitely present tonight. I’ve been waiting to see some sass from her, and while I still think she could let loose even more, this performance is definitely a step in the right direction. With so many contestants really starting to improve their stage presence, she's been needing to step it up a bit.

Coaches Say: Usher says the attitude was 100% there, but he looks like he is struggling to find anything else to say. Hard to tell behind the sunglasses. Shakira might be on the verge of a wardrobe malfunction but she's wearing a great dress. I actually don't hear her commentary. Adam thinks Holly’s character has emerged over the past couple of weeks and says she gave a great performance. Blake tells Holly this was his favorite performance of hers.

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Contestant: Michelle Chamuel
Team: Usher
Song: “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane

My first impression of this performance….is she singing? I can’t hear her for the first half. The tree graphic behind her is neat though. I know she is going for an emotional vibe here (you can always tell with the speed in which she squats down whether we're getting fire or agony), but this is probably my least favorite performance of hers.

Coaches Say: Shakira gives several compliments to Usher because of how far Michelle has come in in the competition as an artist. Usher and Michelle really do seem to have a BFF bond going these days. Adam looooooooooooves Michelle and thinks she is carving out her own spot in the universe. Usher says Michelle gave a really great performance, showing depth and her vocal ability. So...we heard (or didn't hear?) different things I guess.

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Contestant: The Swon Brothers

Team: Blake
Song: “Wagon Wheel” by Hootie Darius Rucker, but originally by Old Crow Medicine Show

The staging for this number is set up as a saloon with dancing girls, so we've got that going for us. Otherwise this is another standard country song performed by The Swon Brothers so I don't have much to say. It was pleasant to listen to and watch, but there was really no "wow" factor.

Coaches Say: Shakira thinks the performance was fun and loose. She says country music is crossing over to mainstream in such a way that Latinos are starting to pay attention to it, and that makes me smile. Adam notes that Hootie Darius Rucker didn’t start out in country music but took his sound that way. Thanks buddy. He then says this was his favorite performance from the boys. Blake thinks that no one sounds like The Swon Brothers and he loved the performance.

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Contestant: Sasha Allen

Team: Shakira
Song: “Ain’t No Way” by Aretha Franklin

Taking on Aretha is ambitious, but whoa! This is amazing! I can’t even type during Sasha’s performance because I am soooo busy making grunts of approval. This is her best performance so far and one of my favorite performances of the season. Get it, Sasha.

Coaches Say: Adam again acknowledges that he’s a fool for letting Sasha go. Usher says it would be hard to be critical of that performance because she is an incredible vocalist. Shakira asks who in the competition could have sung that song that well, and someone in the audiences yells “no one!” which is well timed. She’s right though – Sasha owned that song.

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Contestant: Danielle Bradbery
Team: Blake
Song: “Shake the Sugar Tree” by Pam Tillis

Danielle has some neat trees happening on stage for her performance as well. Make sense since, well, she’s singing about shaking a tree. I'll be honest and say I am a tad bored by this. I think the kid has a great voice, but I miss the days when she was able to be a young, vibrant performer on this show.

Coaches Say: Usher thinks that Danielle looked nervous at one point but says she has the confidence to keep growing. So she has a nervous confidence? Adam wishes that he had snagged Danielle for his team and calls her one of the best on the show. Blake says she makes his job easy because she is just so great at what she does.

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Contestant: Amber Carrington
Team: Adam
Song: “I’ll Remember You” by Skid Row

Amber is only 20 years old and has no idea who Skid Row is. You wouldn’t know it watching this performance because she makes the song her with a bluegrass vibe. Is this her best performance to date? Nah. But she’s got fire on stage (literally) and she can sing her face off.

Coaches Say: Blake says Amber always does great and thinks people will definitely want to own her version of that song. Shakira gives Adam credit for being a great coach for Amber. Adam thinks Amber is incredible and bestows a ton of compliments on her before thanking her for representing his team.

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Contestant: The Swon Brothers
Team: Blake
Song: “Okie from Muskogee” by Merle Haggard

Um, what? I’ll be honest and say I do not know this song. I’m also not sure why Blake chose this song for them because I don’t think it does the boys any favors. Sure it's fun, I'll give it that, but in terms of competition...I'm not sure they have had the best night. Just me.

Coaches Say: Usher says the performance proves that you don't have to smoke weed to have fun. Great. Glad this is a family show. Adam loves how happy The Swon Brothers were during the performance and even in the moments after. Blake says the song choice was important for the boys so they can stay true to their roots. If you didn't know already, The Swon Brothers are actually FROM Oklahoma. It hasn't been mentioned much...

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Contestant: Holly Tucker

Team: Blake
Song: “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts

There’s a lighthouse in the middle of the stage so I am already on board with the performance. Holly is rather challenged to not lose her breath during the first verse of the song, but once she gets past that point she’s good to go. No sass necessary for this performance, but she does connect with the song and the audience. I'll take it.

 

Coaches Say: Shakira says the performance was awesome and tells Holly she consistently delivers. Adam thinks Holly has shown range tonight with her two performances. That may be true. Blake says that Holly is the most diverse artist on Team Blake (the most diverse of the three country acts you have on your team? Is that saying much?).

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Contestant: Michelle Chamuel

Team: Usher
Song: “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift surprised Michelle during rehearsals and definitely gave her some confidence. Michelle borrowed one of Usher’s jackets for this performance and she brings an energy to this song that I’ve never seen before. Michelle also sounds awesome and is rocking out like it’s her job. Someday it should be. LOVE it.

Coaches Say: Adam says the performance was unbelievable. Blake tells Michelle the performance was just so intense and he’s jealous. Usher says we were able to connect to Michelle in a different way with this performance. Agreed.

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Contestant: Amber Carrington

Team: Adam

Song: “Crazy” by Patsy Cline

Amazing song. Amber is so classy and talented that I’m not worried at all about her taking on such an iconic tune. She gives a lovely performance, staying faithful to the original but still adding her own touch here and there. I will be voting for her this evening…I think she absolutely deserves to advance and I’d love to see her go all the way to the finale.

Coaches Say: Blake says the performance was beautiful without being over the top. Shakira thinks the song was dreamy and a great choice. Adam calls Amber a breath of fresh air and says she brings a level of purity with her voice. Agreed.

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Contestant: Danielle Bradbery

Team: Blake
Song: “A Little Bit Stronger” by Sara Evans

Danielle says she chose this song about relationships because she’s seen her sister come through a breakup and become stronger. Before the song starts I feel that this is going to be a problem…that Danielle isn’t going to be able to connect. However, there’s no way Danielle could go for the notes she goes for in this song without feeling them. This is a great way for her to end her night. Well done.

Coaches Say: Usher says Danielle gave an amazing performance. Adam thinks Danielle’s last note was one of the most powerful in the competition. Blake says Danielle is a budding country artist, telling her she’s a star being born in front of us.

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Contestant: Sasha Allen

Team: Shakira
Song: “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood

Sasha gets to close the show huh? That’s awesome! She starts the song rather jazzy on top of a stair case and then WHIPS OFF her dress to reveal a sexy little number with thigh high boots. She then does some moves that are kind of a cross between Michelle Chamuel squats and Beyonce struts. Oh and her vocals are crazy as well. Fan. Tastic.

Coaches Say: The crowd goes nuts and we can barely hear the coaches. Blake says the performance was dramatic and powerful. Usher really liked it and calls her Sasha Fierce. Man I wish I had thought of that first. Shakira is adorably excited and calls the performance “hot” and “established.”

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After twelve performances and a whole lot of country music, the episode ends with one hell of a showstopper. For me Sasha wins the night with both performances, and I have found another contestant to root for. I also have some hope that Team Shakira is here to stay. Honestly though, as long as Sasha and Amber make it through tomorrow I’ll be able to watch the elimination episode without throwing things….unlike last week (yes, still bitter). Should there be any other shoe-ins based on tonight’s performances? Will Team Blake remain intact and eliminate another team entirely? We’ll find out during the results show. Til then!