The Voice Season 17: The Blinds Wrap Up and the Battles Begin

End of the Blinds and Battles Part 1:

Zoe Upkins sang Angel of Mine by Monica-- I would say she is so good, she just needs to work on breath control. At the age of 16, Zoe sings with a great seal of maturity. Very predictable that she chose John as her coach. Hopefully she'll become available later. As a result, Team Legend is full.

Matthew McQueen sang Someone You Loved by Louis Capaldi-- He might be a dark horse on Blake's team. Matthew picks Team Blake and becomes the last member of his team because he says someone in his family had a dream that he was on Blake's team.

Gracee Shriver from Oklahoma and only 16 becomes the last member of Team Kelly, and also 16, Caroline Reilly was a match made in heaven for the final spot on Team Gwen.

Team Legend: Khalea Lynee vs Zoe Upkins-- The Boy is Mine by Brandy and Monica--
Strange how we saw Zoe perform at the beginning of the show and she has the first battle with Khalea Lynee and they're singing another Monica song. Usher returned to help John advise and made some great points to help Khalea and Zoe. While John didn't flex his creativity as a coach with this pairing or the song choice-- everything worked. Both ladies were great, funny part is that after what should have been an alley-oop for Zoe, John picked Khalea and Kelly and Gwen tried to steal Zoe. This season the coaches all have one steal and one save. Unfortunately, John used his save and Zoe accepted.



Next battle wasn't interesting to me--

It was Team Blake: Josie Jones vs. Kat Hammock-- Take Me Home Country Road by John Denver. Interesting song choice, but these two teens are both have old school vibes. Blake ended up choosing Kat to move forward.

Team Kelly: Melinda Rodriguez vs. Shane Q-- Too Good at Goodbyes by Sam Smith-- Wow, these two are powerhouse vocalists; I think Kelly nailed it with the song choice. They are both clearly gifted and both deserve to move forward and that's exactly what happened. Kelly chose Shane and saved Melinda.



Battles Part 2:

Uneventful episode-- there was really no one here who impressed me. 

Myracle has some potential so let's see what happens with her going forward. 

Results Advancing to the Knockouts: 

Alex Guthrie – Team Kelly
Myracle Holloway – Team LegendMax Boyle – Team LegendCali Wilson – Team BlakeKatie Kadan – Team LegendDestiny Rayne – Team Gwen (Stolen from Team Legend)

Eliminated:

Injoy Fountain – Team Kelly
Elise Azkoul – Team Gwen
Matt New – Team Legend
Elliemae – Team Blake

Battles Part 3:

I loved this first battle between Jared and Will. The two Team Legend singers battled it out on Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes. Jared definitely has the bigger voice and range. However, Will brings style; I found him a little cheesy to be honest, hopefully he can tone that down in the knockouts. 

I thought that previous battle was great until Team Blake brought us Ricky and Marina singing Valerie by Amy Winehouse. First off, I love that they totally carved this song out and made it into their own styles. They both have amazing voices, and I agree with Kelly in that they brought out the best in each other. Ricky has this undeniable tone and Gwen said it--- He's a star! Marina is impressive as well and is ready for her big break. I think both of them need to move forward. Kelly hints that she will steal whoever Blake doesn't pick. It doesn't matter though because Blake picks Ricky and saves Marina, and she chooses Team Blake again! 

Another battle from this episode that I want to showcase is between Kiara and Royce from Team Gwen. They sang Turn Your Lights Down Low by Bob Marley. Royce is a reggae singer but he was just exceptional in this. The big surprise was how bright Kiara shown in this performance; she was strong and stood toe to toe with Royce. She was his equal in this and they had great chemistry. Blake said Kiara had the higher mountain to climb but Royce just hit his groove with this performance. Gwen picked Royce, saved Kiara, but Kelly stole and Kiara went with Kelly! 

Last battle from this episode I want to showcase is another Team Gwen pairing-- James and Kyndal singing I Could Use a Love Song by Maren Morris-- This was totally tougher for James since he isn't exactly a country artist. His voice has such pretty colors in it, and Kyndal's voice is just so charismatic. Gwen picks Kyndal, saves James, but so does John, and the episode ends with him having to choose between Gwen and John. 

Results Advancing to the Knockouts:

Will Breman – Team Legend
Ricky Duran – Team Blake
Marina Chello – Team Blake Saves
Jake Hoot – Team KellyDamali – Team Kelly
Gracee Shriver – Team Kelly
Royce Lovett – Team Gwen
Kiara Brown – Team Kelly steals from Team Gwen
Joana Martinez – Team Blake
Kyndal Inskeep – Team Gwen
James Violet – Either Team Gwen or Team Legend

Eliminated

Jared Herzog – Team Legend
Steve Knill – Team KellyBrennan Lassiter – Team KellyBrooke Stephenson – Team KellyMatthew McQueen – Team Blake

Battles Part 4: 

Wow and James actually goes with John! Bad move James!

All-righty, well I watched all those battles and none of them intrigued me-- so there are the results right below.  

Results Advancing to the Knockouts:

James Violet – Stolen by Team Legend from Team Gwen
Zack Bridges – Team Blake
Marybeth Byrd – Team Legend
Rose Short – Team Gwen
Jessie Lawrence – Saved by Team Gwen

Eliminated:

Cory Jackson – Team Blake
Dane & Stephanie – Team Legend

The Voice Season 17-- The Blinds, All the Good Stuff!

Make no mistake of it, I have not been as engaged in this season of The Voice. Maybe it's because Adam Levine left. He was so invested and I loved the dynamic between him and Blake Shelton. Blake has very easily become my fave coach over the years. I, like Adam, am not feeling some of the changes that they made to the show.... the block, the live cross battles (which I hear are cancelled, good, they should be!). I am also not liking the arrogance of newest coach John Legend. He is talented but not humble, his attitude with contestants is not becoming.

I have decided to skim these blind auditions and bring you only my picks. These are people who I think will move further in the competition or should.

Episode 2

Shane Q sang Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton-- This guy is a surprise, unexpected. He is a four chair turn and Kelly ends up coming away with him. He has amazing range, and could go far.

Max Boyle sang Wayfaring Stranger by Ed Sheeran-- Unreal falsetto, I am actually angry that he is on John's team (John blocked Kelly) because he is so good. I loved when he started the song acapella, and he was just so good, that's a hard thing to do.



Royce Lovett sang 911 by Mary J Blige and Wyclef Jean-- Gwen and Royce are just a perfect match. I loved his modern reggae sound. Blake turns for talent, which I love, but he did not stand a chance against Gwen here.

Elise Azkoul sang A Million Reasons by Lady Gaga— Elise will need to work on her vocals but I love her retro vibe. She and Gwen are a match made in heaven.

Cory Jackson sang Galveston by Glen Campbell— Cory is interesting with his tone. Being a country artist and being on Team Blake, admit it, you saw that coming, Cory will go far in this competition. The question is, how far? Is he interesting enough and vocally technical enough?

Episode 3

Calvin Lockett sang Just My Imagination by The Temptations-- Well, Calvin could have gone with the predictable choice and picked John, but instead, he decided to pick Gwen. I actually love this pairing because Calvin has a smooth, technically strong voice and I think Gwen will appreciate having someone like that on her team. She'll be outside of the box with her song choices. this is a good one.




Josie Jones sang Men & Mascara-- I didn't think I would like this. I thought her voice would sound very nasal but it didn't; at 16 she has quite the voice. She is very much like a Dolly Parton. What I like even more about her though is that she is a good storyteller with her voice. John and Blake turned and of course John was no match for Blake.

Marybeth Byrd sang Angel from Montgomery-- Marybeth is 18 and voice is technically pristine. She deserved 4 chairs! Irony of all ironies--- Kelly blocked Blake and then Marybeth ended up choosing John (of all people!). I hope Blake steals Marybeth at some point because she belongs on his team.



Kiara Brown sang Free Fallin' by Tom Petty-- Also loved her! Wow, she is just so stylistically her own. Gwen and Blake turned and Gwen won this one.

Cali Wilson sang Dreams by Fleetwood Mac-- Lots of amazing ladies this year on The Voice! Cali's voice was haunting. John, Blake, and Gwen all turn. She seems to have a connection of sorts with Blake. We'll find out on the next episode who she picks.....

Episode 4

Cali picks Blake!

Not many impressive contestants in this show.

James Violet sang Sweet Creature by Harry Styles-- He has a beautiful tone to his voice, he has this really lovely and subtle vibrato in his voice. It's really gorgeous, the song did a great job of showcasing his voice. Kelly, Gwen, and Blake turned. Gwen said he seems like a songwriter. James picked Gwen

Preston C. Howell sand Dream a Little Dream of Me-- One of my fave contestants so far this season! It is unreal to me that Preston has such a mature vocal at 14!!! I cannot believe it. This kid could win the entire season, but hopefully he doesn't do it on Team John (I'm going to say things like that this whole season cause John is just too arrogant for me!). Blake calls his voice timeless-- I totally agree.



Episode 5

Joana Martinez sang Call Out My Name by The Weeknd-- This is another I cannot believe! She is 15, and to sing that song with such maturity is insane. All the coaches turned except John, she deserved a four chair turn. John called it a near perfect performance, to which Blake replied, near perfect? That was perfect. Joana chose Blake

Brooke Stephensen sang Let Him Fly by Patty Griffin-- Brooke is the real deal, her voice cut through immediately. She is so special, it's essential that someone like her get far in this competition. Once again, everyone turned except John. Brooke should have been a four chair turn as well. Brooke chose someone she called a strong woman in this industry--- Kelly.

Ricky Duran sang River by Leon Bridges-- Ahhhh Ricky is 29 and from my home state of Massachusetts (Worcester to be exact!). Blake said that performance had us from the beginning, as chairs turned you had more confidence, you had great tone and stage presence. Gwen said your performance was so tasteful. Kelly turned because he is storyteller, she would kill for that rasp in her voice. Kelly said I would love to be your coach, you're going to be successful on anyone's team.  All four turned but Ricky wanted to go to that river that Blake talked about. This is going to be a great match.



Episode 6

Ricky Braddy sang The Story by Brandi Carlile--- I am a HUGE Ricky Braddy fan; I remember him very well from American Idol. He has such an amazing voice-- for some reason, he has qualities of a Sam Smith. Blake, John, and Gwen turn. John related to him growing up singing in the church. Gwen said you were singing I was made for you to me. Blake said I am plugged into the music scene in Nashville. Blake said please Ricky, let's let Gwen keep shopping around. Ricky chose Blake



Steve Knill sang Up to the Mountain by Patty Griffin-- Kelly was the only one to turn her chair. I think he is a diamond in the rough. He has a great voice that just needs some refinement.

Khalea Lynee sang Best Part by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.-- Oh my goodness!!! I love Khalea's voice. she is so good! It's a four chair turn for good reason. Blake shouldn't have given up so easily. He had a chance like everyone else. Kelly talked about he jazzy tone. John said he liked every vocal choice she made. Khalea chose John



I am telling everyone who reads my blog--- these are the people you will see in the live shows. I really believe that. They are that good.

Until next week friends!