Monday, December 15, 2014

The Voice: Season 7, The Finals

Coach's Choice:

Team Adam: Damien sang A Song for You by Donny Hathaway-- There was a lot of heart in that performance. I don't know if it was his best performance but it was sincere. Blake said he hit everything full volume and full force; incredible and great. Pharrell said the way that you sang that song takes me to church, and I'm so proud of you. Gwen said that song was amazing and it feels like your record. Adam said you were so comfortable and this was one of your best performances.

Original Song:

Team Blake: Craig Wayne Boyd sang My Baby's Got a Smile on Her Face-- I loved the authenticity of Craig's vocals and Blake is right, it seemed like the song found its way to him and was meant to be recorded by him. Pharrell congratulated him and said welcome to your future. Gwen said Craig is going to be touring for a long time. Blake said that song was meant for you.

Duets:

Team Adam: Chris and Adam sang Lost Without You by Robin Thicke-- One of the hottest performances I have ever witnessed, seen, heard on The Voice. Amazing choice, crazy vocals, sexy performance. I loved this, can I buy it? Please. The coaches are on their feet!

Original Song:

Team Adam: Matt McAndrew sang Wasted Love-- This seemed like a song that Matt would legit sing. It was his style, the message was clear, and it was a solid performance. Gwen thought it was a great song for him and it was really inspiring. Adam said that he and Matt have been working together 24/ 7 on that song, and he said you were amazing. You're so special, I'm so proud of you, I'm on the verge of tears, I love you.

Duets:

Team Blake: Craig and Blake sang Boots On by Randy Houser-- That was such a country rock and roll forever performance.

Duets:

Team Adam: Damien and Adam sang Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by Elton John and George Michael-- Adam's song choices are spot on tonight, this is another great choice. The vocals were solid, passionate, and original. The runs were awesome.

Original Song:

Team Adam: Chris Jamison sang Velvet-- I don't love this song, but I like the vibe of the song. The song, once again, was in the style of the artist. I am reminded of how American Idol has done a not good job with original songs. I could see Chris recording this. Pharrell said a star was born on this show, this year. You have changed and you have grown, I cannot wait to see what happens with you. Adam said I love all three of you so equally, and so much, you make me so proud.

Duets:

Team Adam: Matt and Adam sang Lost Stars by Adam Levine from the movie Begin Again-- Another amazing performance. I loved the sincerity and heart in this performance. It was very vulnerable and thought provoking. Adam and Matt's voices sounded good together.

Coach's Choice:

Team Blake: In Pictures by Alabama-- I agree with Blake, this was a great choice for Craig because it's so honest. Gwen said Blake's going to take you on tour. You're going to make an album, and it's going to be incredible. Pharrell said you picked the right song for him. Blake said this song is a perfect statement for where you are in your life.

Original Song:

Team Adam: Damien sang Solider-- This is an awesome original song for Damien. It truly fits him so well, and he dressed it up so well with his vocals. All the coaches were on their feet. Adam said I am bursting with pride. You have stayed strong and true to who you are.

Coach's Choice:

Team Adam: Chris sang Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake-- Wow, Justin Timberlake cleared this song for Chris to sing it. I've been wanting him to sing it since week one. He killed it, it was exciting, haunting, and he is my pick to win this. The coaches are all on their feet. Adam said, Chris my young Jedi, welcome and congratulations.

Coach's Choice:

Team Adam: Matt McAndrew sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland-- That performance was so majestic. What a great song choice and Matt's voice came through so pure on that. Gwen said she loves seeing him grow. Pharrell said you're so magical, you walk through walls and classifications. The world cannot get enough of artists like you. Adam said that was so bittersweet and perfect.

Monday, December 8, 2014

The Voice Season 7: The Top 5 Sing for the Finals

Songs Chosen by The Coach

Damien sang She's Out Of My Life by Michael Jackson-- That was a sick vocal. Damien just had so much control, emotion, and skill. Pharrell said your story never gets old. Gwen said, doing Michael Jackson is super dangerous, but your emotion was gorgeous. Adam said you are the most coachable guy and thank you for your trust in me. You did an unbelievable job with that song. Thank you so much.

Craig Wayne Boyd sang Workin Man's Blues by Merle Haggard-- I can't wait to see what happens with Craig Wayne Boyd. I just think he has so much star power. It's beautiful to see. Pharrell said that's the kind of performance you see from someone who knows who they are. Gwen liked how he worked the stage and it was great. Adam said it's hard for you to know who you are at times, and I think it's great that you know that and no one else does anything like what you do. Blake said you're one of the best singers I've ever heard in my life.

Taylor John Williams sang Falling Slowly by Once-- I could hear people cheering and I really wanted to like it cause I like that song, but it didn't sit in his sweet spot. It was like the lows were uncomfortably low, and the highs were too high and it wasn't balanced well. Adam liked it. Blake liked the range he displayed; I felt like it wasn't quite there. Pharrell liked the creative license he took when performing.

Matt McAndrew sang Make It Rain by Ed Sheeran-- Another unreal vocal with all the coaches on their feet this time around. The vocal was just so strong, and it literally gave me goosebumps when he went into his full voice. His full voice is literally SICK; there are so few people that have that strong of a full voice. Blake called his performance Grammy worthy. Pharrell called him a star. Adam said you astound me all the time. You can literally do anything,

Chris Jamison sang Sugar by Maroon 5-- The falsetto got away from him a tiny bit but he reigned it back in. His vocal was strong. I loved how the crowd lit up as he performed. Blake loved Adam's new song. He said your falsetto is so good Chris, the party starts and the room changes. Adam said that he is so proud of Chris, he said he continues to rise to the occasion.

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Damien sang I Don't Wanna Wait by Paula Cole-- Damien still performed that song well but for some reason I didn't love that song uptempo with that arrangement. I feel like he made it work. Pharrell said your voice is second to none and I loved the message you communicated. Gwen thought it had a Peter Gabriel vibe to it. Adam said he is so glad to be a small part of his journey.

Matt McAndrew sang I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2-- I loved that performance. U2 is always a beast to sing cause Bono is legendary, and Matt just slayed it. It was so good, that particular song is an anthem. Blake said what you do throughout the whole song is what some people hope to do in a certain part of it. Pharrell said Bono would be so happy and so proud and so congratulatory. You killed it. Gwen said she was sobbing and called his voice rich and magic. Adam said I don't know what to say, but I don't need to say anything. Wow.

Craig Wayne Boyd sang Old Rugged Cross by Alan Jackson-- Coaches were all on their feet again. What a sincere and heartfelt performance that Craig gave. Pharrell said going through everything you've gone through what does it feel like to be at the top of your game. Gwen said she was crying again, you're always looking up and always seem so grateful. Adam said it was awesome, and it was a brilliant idea to show them the scope of who you are. It was special and we felt that. Blake said I'm so happy for you, you gave such a passionate and epic vocal tonight.

Taylor John Williams sang Blank Space by Taylor Swift-- I liked it, and he did display nice artistry, but I almost felt it veered too much from the original. I do want to give him props for his vocals though. Adam said great job, and he liked how he reworked the song. Gwen said it was a case of Taylor being Taylor and she felt like he had a great night.

Chris Jamison sang When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars-- Goodness gracious, I am impressed and that vocal was so genuine that it made me cry. There was just so much emotion and his vocals were spot on. Gwen said that was my favorite performance and I can tell that you love singing. Adam said I am so proud of you and the amazing progress you continue to make. I always hesitate to do a Bruno tune cause he's so amazing but tonight it was all about your version of that song.

Top Three-- My Prediction:

Chris Jamison
Craig Wayne Boyd
Matt McAndrew

Wild Card-- My Prediction:

Gotta be-- Damien

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Voice Season 7: The Top 8 Rise to the Challenge and Then Some

Team Gwen: Ryan Sill sang Open Arms by Journey-- I like Ryan, and I admire his fight. The runs were strong, but the performance overall was a little bit sleepy. It was almost like he didn't know what to do with the middle of the song. Adam thought he killed it and hasn't deserved to be in the bottom three. Blake thought it was his best performance yet. Pharrell said he continues to improve. Gwen said she is so proud of him and he deserves to be here. 

Team Blake: Craig Wayne Boyd sang Take it Easy by The Eagles-- Craig is a seasoned performer; he got the crowd going like a pro. The performance was not lazy by any means, the vocal was strong, and it's like this was his song, and he's been performing it his whole life. All the coaches were on their feet. Pharrell said this is your show, people love you for being you. Gwen said I felt like I was at the country music awards, and you were a professional there. Adam said hell yea man, you have a great coach. 

Team Pharrell: DaNica Shirey sang These Dreams by Heart-- For me, this performance was not a good one, look for DaNica to possibly go home. Gwen liked the song choice for her. I actually didn't like it, her voice cracked at one spot and I didn't like it for her. Adam thought it was amazing. What is this love fest that's going on here? 

Team Adam: Damien sang Someone Like You by Adele-- All the coaches are on their feet once again. Damien continues to surprise me, he was so emotional singing that yet he was so in control. It's amazing. Blake said I'd swear you were a machine if you didn't have so much passion. Pharrell said you do it every week, you paint the air with those notes. Gwen said that was so beautiful. Adam said you put so much faith and trust in me, he wanted to do this song for years, and this was his best performance yet. 

Team Adam: Chris Jamison sang Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye-- Loved this performance. He was so natural up there on the stage, his vocals were right on. The crowd was cheering like no one's business. Adam was on his feet, Gwen was blushing. Pharrell said that was your best performance on the show, you got lost in the intention of Marvin Gaye. Adam said you're like Luke Skywalker. You did Marvin Gaye's song with so much love and so much respect, and you just crushed this audience. 

Team Pharrell: Luke Wade sang Holding Back the Years by Simply Red-- I thought this was a great song choice for Luke, but I didn't care for the arrangement of the song. It did not allow Luke to showcase his voice. Adam said I'm a Luke Wade fan since day one. He said I want you to stop thinking. Blake thought it was vibey and really good, but there weren't a lot of big moments. Pharrell said I love you being on my team, and I just want to keep going with you. 

Team Gwen: Taylor John Williams sang Royals by Lorde-- I loved that performance, it was so smart, so original, and he really brought more meaning to the song. Blake said he respects how he puts his stamp on every song, and called him 150% pure artist. Pharrell said you are an original, super soulful hippie, you're something else. Gwen said I really enjoyed that, it was amazing. 

Team Adam: Matt McAndrew sang The Blowers Daughter by Damien Rice-- Matt McAndrew has continued to give strong performances throughout this entire competition and just when you think he can't take it to another level and elevate things even more, he does. His vocals and his originality are something else. All the coaches were standing once again. Blake said I have never heard that song before and I want that to be my introduction to that song, it was so good, freakin brilliant. Adam said that he adores Matt and was proud of him that he was able to exude the pain of being in a relationship in a song. 

My Top 5 Prediction (in no order): Craig Wayne Boyd, Damien, Chris Jamison, Taylor John Williams, and Matt McAndrew