On tonight’s
episode of The Voice the Top 10 take
the stage again hoping that their dreams of becoming a superstar will soon be
realized. I hope these guys have been in contact with Javier Colon and Jermaine
Paul to keep their expectations realistic. Our four coaches are antsy tonight, hoping
to retain their reams for one more week….and CeeLo is wearing an ensemble that
came straight from an S&M version of The
Lord of the Rings. Let’s see what these two hours have in store, shall we?
Team: Blake
Song: “Your Love” by The Outfield
Austin is all smiles tonight trying to rock it out on this song.
Trying is the key word here. Blake was hoping he gave Austin a song that would
really show off his pipes…but really Austin gives just an okay performance here
until the very last part.
Coaches Say: Blake says Austin
mastered the art of the slow build. Xtina loved the ending of the song and Adam
thinks Austin has amazing range.
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Contestant: Jacquie Lee
Team: XtinaSong: “Clarity” by Zedd
The
beginning of this song is rough. Jacquie leans against a piano on a foggy stage
and goes with a stripped down version of the song. She has several questionable
notes and her enunciation is off at times too. The creepy foggy background
singers are an interesting touch, but this is definitely a step backward for
Jacquie.
Coaches Say:
Xtina commends Jacquie for stepping out of her comfort zone. She liked the
performance and even compliments the background singers. CeeLo says there were
some moments in the song that were tough but he still loves her. Blake agrees
with CeeLo but thinks it’s because the broken down version exposed some of
those bum notes.
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Contestant: Will
Champlin
Team: AdamSong: “Love Me Again” by John Newman
Adam chooses a song for Will that is big in the UK but not well known
in the United States. I have definitely never heard of it, but Will hopes that
the song will take off because of his performance. He does a lot with the
staging here…several people in the background, pyrotechnics and so on. I can’t
say this was a standout moment for Will, but I do plan to do some research on
John Newman now because I did enjoy the song as well as his performance.
Coaches Say:
Adam notes Will’s amazing story on the show because he’s been passed around so
much. I’m sure Will appreciates that reminder. Xtina does some rambling but
then calls Will “the full package.” Blake thinks Will is an accurate vocalist
and he really enjoyed the performance.
------------------------------------------------------------------Contestant: Caroline Pennell
Team: CeeLo
Song: “Leaving On a Jet Plane” by John Denver
Confession:
I love John Denver’s music...especially the Christmas album he did with The
Muppets. If you don’t have it, go get it and start getting in the holiday
spirit. Just sayin.
Anyway, CeeLo lets Caroline choose her own song tonight (side note:
CeeLo can’t ever do this again), and Caroline chooses to sing a very shy, snoozy
“Leaving On a Jet Plane.” I start to zone out before she even hits the first
chorus, and I had kind of hoped to be happily singing along.
Coaches Say:
CeeLo is pleased about letting her go to lead herself tonight but then does
admit the song overpowered her at times. At times? Adam is glad he got to see
Caroline make “a statement about a lot of the things you’ve been experiencing.”
No one says the song was boring and that she might be in over her head. Where is Simon Cowell when I need him?
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Contestant: Cole Vosbury
Team: BlakeSong: “To Be With You” by Mr. Big
It’s been a while since I’ve heard this song so I’m super excited
watching the rehearsal package. He goes with the guitar over the piano, which I
think was the right choice, and he delivers a raspy, enjoyable performance. I’m
not sure it’s memorable but there’s something about this guy that I really
like.
Coaches Say: Blake thinks Cole “nailed it to the wall.” Adam wishes Cole had chosen him as his coach, and CeeLo is happy that Cole has come so far.
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Contestant: Tessanne Chin
Team: AdamSong: “If I Were Your Woman” by Gladys Knight
Wow! Finally a standout performance! Tessanne kills this song. Just kills it. I am
just so fascinated by her voice and delivery and she's someone I am truly excited about this season. Tessanne really has the chance to go
all the way to the end here…and she absolutely should. Best of the night. Hands down.
Coaches Say: Adam thinks Tessanne solidified herself as a major
contender on the show. Agreed. Xtina wants her to be more Jamaican when she sings but says she
did a great job.
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Contestant: Ray Boudreaux
Team: BlakeSong: “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
Ray tries his best with this song but it falls a little short for me.
Even the folks playing the instruments behind him look bored and sway lazily. Seems
this is the type of music he wants to play and the type of artist he wants to
be though… so I just don’t think his style is for me.
Coaches Say: Blake loved the way Ray sang the chorus and compliments him
for knowing exactly who he wants to be. Xtina thinks Ray has shown the most
growth in the competition and Adam says Ray is one of the more solid performers
on the show.
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Contestant: James Wolpert
Team: AdamSong: “Without You” by Badfinger
James is taking on quite the power ballad here. There isn’t much of a build
leading into the chorus….he kind of goes from 0 to 100 in the first few lines and
stays there. James tries to incorporate his rock vibe, but it kind of comes off
as screaming and not belting. Not my favorite James performance.
Coaches Say: Adam says that is one of the toughest songs to sing and
loves James’ performance. Xtina thinks James looks dapper and she also calls
his voice “clean” and then calls it “clean” several more times.
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Contestant: Kat Robichaud
Team: CeeLoSong: “We Belong” by Pat Benetar
See, I’m already hesitant because Rion Paige performed this song on The X Factor last week. Reality tv enthusiasts might immediately think "been there, done
that." I’m also hesitant because CeeLo has thrown in theatrics, backup dancers
and more choreography than I ever could have predicted for one of Kat's
performances. That being said, Kat does have a wonderful voice and she really
sings the hell out of the song…I just wish she had stayed behind the piano.
Coaches Say: CeeLo thinks everyone just bore witness to “the new next
thing.” Adam says this was the performance we were all waiting to see.
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Contestant: Matthew Schuler
Team: XtinaSong: “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrinth and Emile Sande
Matthew
takes the opposite approach from Kat in terms of staging, choosing to stand in
spotlight for the first half of the song and let his vocals do the rest. By the
time the band really kicks in during the second half of the song, Matthew is in
full command of the song and the stage. Nicely done.
Coaches Say:
The applause goes on for so long, we pretty much run out of time. Xtina tells
Matthew to take in all of the love he is getting from the audience. She says he
makes everyone happy when he performs.
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Though The Voice doesn’t really do a ton of themes, the unofficial
themes tonight were “showing another side” and “getting out of your comfort
zone.” Will rose to the challenge with a
song no one seems to know, while Caroline chose her own song…playing it safe
and boring me out of my mind. Tessanne took a risk by taking on a beast of a
song, while Jacquie was incredibly shaky doing the vulnerable thing. I can
barely remember Austin singing at all, and then there’s poor Kat…
Two more contestants will be sent home on tomorrow’s elimination episode
and I worry for the young ladies of The
Voice tonight. Well…not Tessanne…unless we are heading toward another
Judith Hill upset. Will the teams even out tomorrow? Will CeeLo and Xtina keep
their teams in tact this week? Will either of them lose their remaining two contestants
in one night? We’ll find out during the results show. Til then!
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