The Voice Semi-Finals Performances: The Lonely Street of Dreams

Tonight the remaining artists on The Voice participate in the inexplicable 8 person semi-finals. Blake goes into the evening with a full team, Kelly and Alicia have 2 team members left, and Adam (by default) has all of his eggs in the Rayshun basket. Will any of the teams have a clear advantage going into tomorrow's elimination? Let's get to the performances and find out...

Artist: Brynn Cartelli

Team: Kelly

Song: "What the World Needs Now" by Jackie DeShannon (but Andra Day's version)

Last week's closer kicks off the night with one of the best "stop whatever you're doing, sway, and smile" songs I can think of. I know a lot of people (myself included) keep focusing on how young Brynn is, but I really do feel like most girls singing this song at her age could come off very pageant-y. Brynn keeps it scaled back though and doesn't put us through teenage dramatics to try to get the message across. She does a lovely job with the song and keeps me totally engaged even though "What the World Needs Now" is very, very repetitive. Pleeeeeease let this kid be in the final four. 

Coaches Say: Kelly is standing as Brynn goes into the final chorus and Alicia, Blake, and Adam join her when the song is over. Blake says Brynn is a master of mastering whatever the song she chooses/is given each week. Kelly thinks Brynn's performances are epic, and beautiful, and tasteful. She calls her contestant "a true artist."

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Artist: Jackie Foster

Team: Alicia

Song: "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake

Oh how I enjoyed ballad Jackie last week, but rock star Jackie takes the stage tonight and completely switches gears from the group hug vibe Brynn just gave us. Jackie wants this song to be her anthem and she feels so close to her dreams at this point in the competition. Jackie doesn't perform this song like she's covering a tune for a competition. She performs "Here I Go Again" as if she were bringing down the house at the end of a concert tour she is headlining. Sure, I thought last week's rendition of "Gravity" was better (really because it was incredibly moving), but Jackie attacks this performance like a seasoned pro and I can't imagine a finale without her and her fog machine. 

Coaches Say: Kelly and Alicia stand and Adam says seeing Jackie let loose and have fun was really important in this moment. Alicia tells Jackie she owned the performance, and she made it hers, and also smashed it...all which are good things. 

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Artist: Rayshun LaMarr

Team: Adam

Song: "Imagine" by John Lennon

Sigh. You know why I've always loved this song? Because it's beautiful in a very simple way. This arrangement is jazzy and Rayshun puts his Rayshun spin on it, and for me, ruins the tune entirely. While I have no doubt Rayshun connects with the lyrics and the message, I just don't feel like "Imagine" was meant to be happily and energetically screamed at us in a competition. Next.

Coaches Say: Adam stands for the majority of the performance and the rest of the coaches stand as well when the performance is over. Kelly thinks Rayshun carries so much joy that the world needs right now, and he allows the audience to escape in that joy. Adam says the performance was inspiring and believes John Lennon would be proud of Rayshun's rendition of "Imagine." Ok.   

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Artist: Spensha Baker

Team: Blake

Song: "My Church" by Maren Morris

While Spensha may have struggled a bit while out of her comfort zone last week, she finds a song right in her wheelhouse this week with "My Church."  She digs deep and lays all of her cards out on the table in this performance and I LOVE IT. If there's ever been a time for this girl to stand out, it's tonight and she soars from the first "hallelujah" to the last "amen." This is Spensha's best performance all season and I'm pretty sure she knows it. I also really like the new hair. Just sayin.'

Coaches Say: Blake is giving us a lot of "yeah!" yells as he stands and claps and Carson goes right to him for commentary. Blake says the dam just broke on everything Spensha has been holding back this season. He thinks she just had "a moment" and will be surprised if she is not in the finale. 

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Artist: Kyla Jade

Team: Blake

Song: "Let It Be" by The Beatles

See, this is how you tackle a simple song with a great message. Yes, Kyla takes "Let It Be" to church (shout out to that amazing choir), and yes she does get super loud at times. Like, way loud. But to me she's not here as an entertainer tonight...she's here to share something a little more profound. Kyla stands in one spot behind a mic stand to command our attention and though I can hear the choir, I can't take my eyes off of Kyla. This performance is moving and inspiring and I watch it a few times with tears in my eyes before I can continue with the rest of the show. Best of the night. Easily. 

Coaches Say: Everyone is on their feet! Alicia thinks Kyla embodied magnificence tonight and loves the confidence that is rising in Kyla. She also tells Kyla "this was a superstar iconic performance." Blake has never been more honored to be associated with a human being in 14 seasons of The Voice. He also adds she may have won the competition already. 

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Artist: Kaleb Lee

Team: Kelly

Song: "It Is Well With My Soul" by Audrey Assad

While Kaleb has improved little by little each week in showing personality, we've been waiting for him to really show emotion in his performances. Tonight he accomplishes that. Kaleb has never sounded better and this is the most connected he's been to a song all season. This is my favorite Kaleb performance and I'm so happy that he gave us such a strong showing tonight. I'm not sure that he will break through to the final four tomorrow, but he should be SO proud of what he's done on The Voice. Also, can we talk about how adorable Kaleb's family is? His son in that cowboy hat? My heart melted.

Coaches Say: We go right to Kelly as we are starting to run out of time on this live show. Kelly says Kaleb has grown so much since the blind auditions and calls music his "purpose." 

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Artist: Pryor Baird

Team: Blake

Song: "Change the World" by Eric Clapton

In the rehearsal package Pryor tells us this is his favorite song he's done on the show. I can say with confidence that this is my least favorite song he's done on the show. Maybe Pryor's sound just isn't for me. Maybe I read a review that compared his voice to Eric Cartman's from South Park and haven't been able to hear him any other way since then.  Maybe I'm bummed that he and Kaleb have probably been fighting for the same votes and I like Kaleb sooooo much better. Dunno. But I'm ready for Britton to take the stage pretty much as soon as this song starts.

Coaches Say: Kelly thinks Pryor sounds like he is constantly in "this cool state of plea-ing" and Blake says no matter what happens, Pryor really is "the guy next door." I had thought this was kind of Blake's way of saying "My money is on Kyla and Spensha" but then the cowboy follows up with "I'll see you in the finale." Hmmm.  

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Artist: Britton Buchanan

Team: Alicia

Song: "The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen

Britton continues his slow and steady climb to the finale with a big song by Bruce Springsteen. Britton has been wanting to take on the Boss for a while now and this performance is well timed. There have been several super strong performances this evening but I'm really happy Britton got the closing spot. The kid has really come into his own, he looks confident, he sounds great, he owns this song, and I really hope to see him next week. The moments when he raises his arms with his eyes closed while the choir sings behind him alone say "confetti shower contender." I think I'll be downloading this tune tonight. 

Coaches Say: Alicia is incredibly excited and "woohoos" repeatedly. She tells Britton that when he comes onstage she sees another side of him. She's so proud of her contestant and she closes her critique with: "This rising that you're talking about? This place that we can all go? I'm coming with you man!"

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The Top 8 each had a duet tonight as well, with Pryor and Kaleb taking on a "Hillbilly Bone/Hillbilly Deluxe" mashup to start. In my humble opinion, Kaleb came out on top here...but that could just be because Pryor tends to annoy me anyway. Kyla and Spensha performed the best mashup of the night as they collaborated on a "What's Going On/Rise Up" duet. Kyla was the dominating force here but Spensha really held her own and shined...never mind the fact that the woman sounded fantastic together. This, hands down, was one of my favorite duets on this show in any season. Brynn and Britton had an odd pairing of "FourFiveSeconds/You Can't Always Get What You Want." It's not that the two youngins sang together that was odd - that was a great idea. I just think their songs could have suited the pairing a little better...and what was with the couch? Jackie and Rayshun rounded out the duets with a "Believer/Radioactive" mashup. This was an explosion of energy, as expected, and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

Tomorrow night is the semi-finals slaughter where the Top 8 are chopped in half to reveal the last men and/or women standing in the finale. I can't believe the season is almost over! Will Rayshun sail through or have to sing for a spot in safety once again? Will Spensha's breakout night ultimately make her one of the finalists? Will any of the teams be completely eliminated before the finale (what a blow that would be for Team Blake)? Will my personal picks of Brynn, Kyla, Britton and Jackie emerge from the elimination hour as the Final Four? We'll find out tomorrow when Carson puts us through the most agonizing pauses on TV. Til then!

The Voice Top 10 Elimination: Anytime She Goes Away

Tonight's episode of The Voice featured a double elimination, with the remaining 8 contestants moving on to next week's semi-finals.  Adam and Kelly went into this hour hoping their teams of 2 would not be wiped out this evening, and Blake and Alicia were looking to head into the semi-finals still 3 strong. Which of these teams suffered a loss tonight? Here are the highlights.

Charlie Puth took the stage to perform his song "Done For Me," and I enjoyed that Carson was nice enough to point out that Charlie is a nominee for the Billboard Music Awards. We were also treated to 5 Seconds of Summer and their performance of "Youngblood." I only recently discovered their music and I have to say I'm a fan of these guys. 

Results! Kyla was the first artist to make it into the semi-finals and she was joined by Britton and Brynn soon after. Jackie F and Pryor were called next, giving each coach a contender in the Top 8 and allowing them a brief moment of relief before the bottom 3 were revealed. Kaleb and Spensha were the last ones sent to safety, leaving Christiana, Jackie V, and Rayshun singing for the Stupid Twitter Save. 

Christiana chose "Unchain My Heart" as her "save me" song and while her lower register was AMAZING last night, we didn't quite have the same situation tonight. Don't get me wrong - it was a good performance, but it just didn't have that wow factor "Ain't No Sunshine" had. Jackie went with "I Told You So" and she started out beautifully...but then there were some pitch problems...and then the poor girl was crying by the end of the performance...and then I felt awful for her. Rayshun rounded out the performances with "Let's Get It On" and he gave us an "everything but the kitchen sink" spectacle. For me it was a little much, but dude was singing for a spot in the semi-finals and I wouldn't expect anything less. Just based on last night's performances, I wanted to see Christiana make it to next week. In the end though, Rayshun won the Stupid Twitter Save and both Adam and Alicia had to say goodbye to their contestants.  

Next week we reach what I like to call the Semi-Finals slaughter, where the Top 8 suddenly gets chopped in half to get to the finale. Will Rayshun make the most of his second Stupid Twitter Save? Will Britton continue his upward climb toward the finale? Will Kyla, Brynn and Jackie (my personal picks) join him there? And who else is beyond excited that J-Hud will be back next season with Kelly Clarkson in the coaches chairs? Take THAT American Idol.  In terms of this season though, we're thisclose to finding out who will wear the coveted confetti shower, and we'll see who the final confetti shower contenders are when the Top 8 face off again next week. Til then! 

The Voice Top 10 Performances: I Make No Apologies

Tonight's episode of The Voice gives the remaining hopefuls a chance to win a spot in next week's inexplicable 8 person "semi-finals." Blake and Alicia have full teams going into this performance show and are both guaranteed a competitor in the semi-finals, but Kelly and Adam's teams face complete elimination tomorrow if they can't excel this evening. Which contestants leave it all out on the stage tonight? Let's get to the performances and find out... 

Artist: Kyla Jade

Team: Blake

Song: "This Is Me" by Keala Settle (from The Greatest Showman)

Before I get to Kyla's performance, let me direct you to two videos of Keala Settle singing this song live and making me ugly snot cry. The first one is from back when they were trying to get the studio to make The Greatest Showman, and the other is from the Oscars this year. The woman is amazing. All of that being said, Kyla has quite an emotional connection to this song and also probably caused a lot of people to ugly snot cry tonight. She's always had some insecurities, and she's fallen victim to the internet trolls that have nothing better to do than comment on her looks. In this performance Kyla loses herself in the song...she is the song...she's freeing herself of the BS and letting us know she's glorious. Kyla loses herself in a way that she's unable to sing at one point and I hope she gets 100 hugs immediately when she goes backstage. What a performance!

Coaches Say: Standing ovation from everyone! I should hope so! Alicia uses the words stunning, riveting, masterful and magnificent to describe Kyla and says Kyla comes onstage and shows everyone what's possible. Blake thinks everyone at home and in the room felt Kyla's message and he's sure she just punched her ticket to the semi-finals. Indeed!

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Artist: Kaleb Lee

Team: Kelly

Song: "Boondocks" by Little Big Town

Kaleb continues his quest to show personality this week and this is certainly the song to get the job done. After the performance Kyla just gave, it's hard for me to get too excited about what Kaleb is doing here. Taking the stage without the guitar is a smart choice and he sounds great. I also think he's gaining a little more momentum each week and connecting with the audience and (I hope) the voters more and more.  This is a solid performance....I'm just still thinking about Kyla getting hugs. 

Coaches Say: It looks like Kaleb also gets a standing ovation from everyone and I'm not completely sure why. Adam says the performance was phenomenal and he's proud of Kaleb for how much he has grown in the competition. Kelly hasn't been able to sit down since the performance ended and she tells Kaleb he is a great dude, a solid singer, and an amazing performer. 

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Artist: Jackie Verna

Team: Adam

Song: "Love Triangle" by RaeLynn

Jackie takes on a tune by a former contestant on The Voice and she calls RaeLynn a "trailblazer" during the rehearsal package. I'm going to leave that one alone. Jackie has the challenge of singing about a situation she's never been in since the song is about parents getting divorced and Jackie's parents are still together. She is hoping to be able to tell the story anyway and do the song justice. She totally does. Jackie sounds lovely on her stool surrounded by bright colors with flowers and butterflies. By the time she stands up for the last chorus, her voice is pretty much flawless. I imagine she will be getting quite the shout out from RaeLynn this evening. 

Coaches Say: Blake says Jackie's delivery was incredible and Adam thinks Jackie found her sweet spot tonight. He goes on to say a perfect vocal can get lost in the shuffle and hopes America rewards Jackie for her performance. 

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Artist: Rayshun LaMarr

Team: Adam

Song: "Mr. Jukes" by Grant Green and Charles Bradley

Okay, so I've never heard this song before. Even if I had, I'm pretty sure Rayshun would be distracting me from anything I may know about the original. I'm digging it. I try my best to do the same rhythmic sway as the backup singers are doing but I am totally unsuccessful. Rayshun continues to be Rayshun and brings crazy energy and a crazy voice. I don't know how anyone could watch this performance and not smile (or make failed attempts at dancing). 

Coaches Say: Kelly says she's never had that much fun watching anyone else. She tells Rayshun he lights up everyone in the room. Adam feels like Rayshun separated himself from the pack today in a way that was really profound. I don't know about all that, but I do think this guy needs to be in the semi-finals. 

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Artist: Spensha Baker

Team: Blake

Song: "Red" by Taylor Swift

Spensha is a little nervous about switching things up and going the country/pop route. Apparently this is completely out of her comfort zone, but Blake tells Spensha to swing for the fence. I think Spensha does an okay job with the song considering her concerns, but I agree that the pop side of country should not be her career focus. Here's hoping she gets another chance at traditional country before the competition is done. 

Coaches Say: Adam thinks some people can sing every note possible and not connect to a song and other people, like Spensha, can scale it back and connect to lyrics. See, I feel like she hard a tough time connecting to the song, but what do I know? Blake thinks this was Spensha's best performance so far and says she is going to make country music history. Excuse me while I go make a confused puppy dog face through the next commercial break. 

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Artist: Jackie Foster

Team: Alicia

Song: "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles

This is a song that is close to tipping over the "songs we've heard too many times in singing competitions" fence, but Jackie does such an amazing job here I don't really care. Jackie wants to show her softer side this evening, which is a great move, and she sets aside her rock star persona to deliver a super vulnerable, super haunting, super mesmerizing performance. If this doesn't get her to the semi-finals...and even the finale...I don't know what will. And because I can't help myself, here's a version KC did during the Stronger World Tour. 

Coaches Say: Jackie does not get a standing ovation from everyone and I have no idea why. We go right to Alicia and she thinks Jackie chose the perfect moment for this song and for America to see her in such a tender place. Alicia goes on to say she was totally riveted and taken into Jackie's world tonight.  

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Artist: Britton Buchanan

Team: Alicia

Song: "What's Love Got to Do With It" by Tina Turner

Wow! Britton takes on the 80s tonight and performs a stripped down, brilliant version of this Tina Turner classic. Britton is someone I typically enjoy hearing each week but not someone I assumed would be in this competition for the long haul. His vocals are soft and smooth during the verses and he knocks the choruses out of the park. This is my favorite Britton performance to date and I think he absolutely just had a "moment."

Coaches Say: Alicia and Adam stand and Alicia does a dance by her chair that makes me so happy. Adam believes Britton is so special and incredible and Alicia tells Britton, "you are swaggin' so hard right now" and I laugh out loud. Britton might be blushing just a little. Alicia believes he smashed that performance and hopes America joins her in recognizing his growth on the show.  

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Artist: Christiana Danielle

Team: Alicia

Song: "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers

Fresh off the bottom 2 Stupid Twitter Save last week, Christiana shows up with something to prove tonight. When this song choice was announced, I worried that we would get the whispery/whiny Christiana style that has been showing itself lately. Instead, Christiana unleashes her voice and slayyyyyyyyys this song. I like this version of Christiana and hope she finds herself a spot in the semi-finals. 

Coaches Say: Kelly and Alicia stand (where are the guys?) and Kelly says Christiana's body is like a moving orchestra and it's a beautiful thing to watch. Alicia tells us that Christiana is one of the most unique, special beings she has ever met. "You are also discovering who you are daily and weekly on this show and your instincts are spectacular. There's nobody like you."

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Artist: Pryor Baird

Team: Blake

Song: "My Town" by Montgomery Gentry

Pryor goes back to his country music roots tonight with a song that seems like it would be right up his alley. When he's not screaming at me during the choruses, I kinda/sorta enjoy what Pryor is doing. He's really screaming at me a lot though. Not my favorite performance of his and when it's over, my ears are very thankful.

Coaches Say: Adam's favorite thing about Pryor's performance was how much range he showed. Blake thinks the reason Pryor is seeing his momentum build is because of how rare his voice is. Okay, next.

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Artist: Brynn Cartelli 

Team: Kelly

Song: "Fix You" by Coldplay

Shamelessly, I'm going to suggest you check out Kelly's cover of "Fix You." And then I'm going to suggest that The Voice did a good job spacing out the showstoppers tonight. Just as Kyla gave us an emotional opening to the show, Brynn closes out the Top 10 performances with a tear-jerker. "Fix You" hits home for Brynn given her mom's recent health problems and she is "all in" on this song. Brynn's delivery doesn't completely wipe me out the way Kyla's did, and there are a few pitch issues throughout the performance, but what the kid does here is genuine, moving, and beautiful. I love it. 

Coaches Say: We're running out of time and Kelly is fighting back tears. She says it's amazing to see someone so young deliver that kind of message. She adds that Brynn was born to sing and born to be on stage. Oh how I hope Brynn sails through tomorrow. 

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Kelly also took the stage tonight to perform her newest single, "I Don't Think About You." That dress. Those NOTES. Even the chandeliers had me captivated. She just makes it look so easy... I could go on. You know I could.

Tomorrow night the bottom 2 becomes the bottom 3 as The Voice will send home two of the remaining artists. Tonight's performances were so much stronger than last week's and I think America has some tough choices on their hands this evening. Will Rayshun and Christiana avoid singing for the save this week? Will Spensha's T-Swift cover cost her a shot in the semi-finals? Will the voting audience hold all of Pryor's yelling against him tonight? Will the two Jackies continue to distinguish themselves through another round? AND will we see any team disappear completely by the time the Top 8 are revealed? We'll find out during the elimination hour. Til then!