Season 29 of The Voice started this past Monday. First off, I need to tip my hat to last season's winner, Aiden Ross from Team Niall. I didn't blog the last show, I felt like it crept up so quickly. I will be curious to see how this season unfolds. First off, there are some obvious changes-- three coaches instead of four. This season is titled, Season of Champions. The coaches are Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine. They will each be bringing back two contestants from their respective teams over the years. Kelly is bringing back Girl Named Tom (Season 21) and Jake Hoot (Season 17). Adam is bringing back Jordan Smith (Season 9) and Javier Colon (the first winner ever on The Voice). John is bringing back Maelyn Jarmon (Season 16) and Renzo (Season 27). There will not be live shows this season which I find strange and Cee Lo Green will be returning in some capacity.
Lucas West sang Benny and the Jets by Elton John-- Loved the confidence in this performance, lots of ease. Adam turned, followed by John. I am surprised that Kelly did not turn on this one. Adam liked how different Lucas is, and John called him soulful, saying that quality made him want Lucas on Team Legend.
Lucas chose John
Alexia Jay sang You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin-- Rightfully the first triple turn of the season. I feel like anyone who can successfully sing this is a technically sound vocalist. John said she is his type of singer and likes her voice and style. Adam said Carole King (songwriter) and Aretha came together on this song as two very different artists and maybe you, flower goddess you are, are meant to have this journey with someone that not everybody would expect. Kelly praised her for choosing such a difficult song. Alexia brought her son onstage and he said that Maroon 5 is his favorite artist.
Alexia chose Adam!
Julia Golden sang Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter-- I felt like she gave a pretty sound performance. At 19, she has some growth ahead of her. Goog song choice. John and Kelly turned. John turned first and said her voice has a lot of heart. Kelly basically made the argument that she should land most country artists in the competition. John played a video of Reba saying he would be a good coach for country artists. Kelly got Reba on the phone to get her endorsement.
Julia chose Kelly.
Abigayle Oakley sang Call Your Girlfriend by Robyn-- I loved the song choice, one of my fave songs. However, I felt like the arrangement could have been better. I do praise her though for originality and being authentic to herself. All three coaches turned right away. Adam said there is something special about her. Kelly compared her to Joni Mitchell and urged her to keep choosing songs people would not expect. John reassured her that there is a lane for singer/ songwriters like her in this competition.
Abigayle chose Kelly
\Landon Price sang Glory by John Legend and Common, no chair turns
Jonah Mayor sang Il Mondo-- Such a captivating performance. I really like Jonah's personality as well. He's the complete package in my opinion. Kelly turned immediately and genuinely seemed excited about Jonah and his performance. Adam turned as well. Kelly went up and hugged Jonah and said he is her favorite performance thus far. Adam joked saying, "Welcome to Team Kelly" (foreshadowing). Adam went up and hugged him too, followed by John (LOL). Adam felt that what Jonah does is singular and there will not be anyone like him in the competition. Jonah did point out to Kelly that he does want to do other things. Adam called him the complete package as a performer and singer.
Jonah chose Kelly
Bay Simpson sang The Waiting by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers-- I like his voice and I think there's potential. He does seem to have music in his bones. In the final moments of the performance, Adam turned. I am really happy he did, cause I look forward to seeing what Bay can do. Adam said I have never really heard someone do a Petty song, well the big ones, but that one said something about you that I really took to. He said he is happy it happened the way it did so he didn't have to fight for him. He said the way you took on the song told me you know Rock n' Roll music.
Adam chose Bay
Liv Ciara sang We Can't Be Friends by Ariana Grande-- Liv was on the show before and came back. She sounds amazing. Clearly she improved a lot and took the notes that they gave her last time. Adam and Kelly turned. Adam thinks she is advanced vocally being that she's so young. Kelly talked about how much she loves that Ariana song and that the way Liv sang the song gave it a different perspective. Adam almost in a way conceded.
Liv chose Kelly
Aaron LaVigne sang Feels Like the First Time by Foreigner-- Aaron has performed on Broadway, you can see he has performance experience on stage. This is a big song. Alright, towards the end, Kelly and John turned. I definitely heard some flaws in the performance, but I feel like he can be fine tuned. Kelly said she could tell that he is passionate about singing, and she pointed out that she turned first. John said by the end of the performance he was impressed and that's why he turned. Aaron talked about how he and John both played Jesus in renditions of Jesus Christ Superstar. They both talked about their connections to Ohio. Adam said you have two great coaches to choose from. You have, Kelly "I picked you first" Clarkson and John "I'm from Ohio" Legend.
Aaron chose Kelly
AJ Robinson sang Watermelon Moonshine by Lainey Wilson-- This is another artist where I see potential. It's interesting that John turned, but I will look forward to what this pairing comes up with in the next round. John turned almost immediately, and Adam and Kelly did not push. John loved his tone, how his voice floats, and the richness.
John chose AJ
Jeremy Keith sang You Are My Lady by Freddie Jackson-- Smooth performance, he sang in the group After 7. That is so cool! This was another "triple turn" as they're calling it this season. John turned first, followed by Adam, and lastly Kelly. John loved his tone. Adam said, John makes the most sense for you. He said you're not a background vocalist anymore. Adam said I have a lot of experience on The Voice. Kelly said but you haven't won a lot. John said what's the point of this? Adam said, see I'm a threat. Kelly said I know I can hand you any song cause of your experience as a background vocalist. Kelly said I think you could win this show. Jeremy said he and his mom listened to John's album, "Get Lifted" a lot. John got on stage and sang Ordinary People with Jeremy.
Jeremy shockingly chose Adam!
My picks-- Alexia, Abigayle, Jonah, Bay, and Jeremy
