The Voice Season 4: The Live Rounds are Finally Here!

Team Adam: Amber Carrington sang Stay by Rihanna-- Amber definitely has a big voice, and she set the bar high being the first performer out. Because this song is so simple, it doesn't work for everyone, but it certainly worked for her. Adam believes Amber is still the biggest surprise of this competition. He felt that she did an incredible job.

Team Usher: Josiah Hawley sang Starlight by Muse-- He sounded terrible in rehearsals, literally sounded like he was screaming the whole time, and his tone was totally off. How is this a stripped down performance by the way? Shakira felt it was his best performance and thought it was honest. Adam said it is a really tough song, but really great; he also mentioned that he grew a lot. Blake felt like the performance was haunting. Usher thinks Josiah is a rock star. Rock on guys, I'm not convinced quite yet.

Team Adam: Sarah Simmons sang Angel by Sara McLachlan-- Now that was haunting. That performance and her vocals literally took my breath away. Blake said that was so amazing, beautiful, and angelic. Usher said she Sarah that he knew came out and it was incredible. Shakira called her performance spectacular, and she didn't disappoint, she delivered. Adam said he has never heard this room so quiet, and he believes it's because they were enamored with her. He thinks she is one of the most incredible singers to listen to that he has ever heard in his life.

Team Usher: Cathia sang I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston-- I need to say that I didn't think it was as bad as some of the judges thought it was. I like the way that she changed the song up to suit her vocal style and her abilities. I think Cathia understood that she wasn't going to come out there and sing Whitney like Whitney. Shakira didn't think it was the right song for her, perhaps too lofty a song. Blake thought that it was pretty good. Usher felt that she could have knocked that song out of the park, and that the performance may not have been as good as it could have been.

Team Adam: Caroline Glaser sang The A Team by Ed Sheeran-- I liked this performance, a little boring, but good. Blake thought that this was a good move for her because he could picture her doing this back in the coffee shop. Usher thought it was a soothing performance, she was relaxed and showed great control. Adam loves her unique sound and feels she should be proud of what she did.

Team Usher: Vedo sang Against All Odds by Phil Collins-- I'm unsure of why Usher chose this song for him. I would have chosen a more contemporary R&B song, perhaps something like Neyo. I felt like Vedo did the best he could do with what he was given. Shakira felt the audience liked it. Adam said one thing I didn't like about you, you're not on my team. Usher was pleased with his performance and feels he's on track for success.

Team Usher: Michelle Chamuel sang True Colors by Cyndi Lauper-- Shakira thought the performance was so authentic. Adam and Usher both thought that she had a breakout moment. Blake used Michelle as an example to his team of what his team members need to do. Michelle may not have the best voice, but she does have such an amazing effect on people when she sings. She gets right to your heart, because she believes so fully in what it is that she's singing about.

Team Adam: Judith Hill sang Feelin' Good by Nine Simone-- Blake called Judith a diva. Usher still wonders why he didn't fight harder for Judith. Adam said there's not much I can say cause everyone loves you. Adam also talked about how effectively Judith is able to convey her personality with her voice. I probably liked this performance best of any Judith performance so far. Some of her performances have been a bit too affected for my liking. I wasn't totally loving her hair style tonight (I usually don't comment on that, but I just felt it was distracting to me).

Who will definitely go through on Team Adam? Sarah and Judith.... I think Adam will choose Amber to go forward and Caroline will be sent home.

Who will definitely go through on Team Usher? Michelle and Vedo.....I think Usher will choose Cathia to go forward and Josiah will go home.

The Voice Season 4: The Knockout Rounds Team Adam and Team Shakira

Team Adam: Amber Carrington singing I'm With You by Avril Lavigne vs. Midas Whale singing Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder-- I am loving Amber (as a side note, Adam is all dressed up tonight!), I love her style and her voice. I like Midas Whale and their originality, but I didn't think that this was the right song for them, it was too much of a stretch. Blake said I like Amber as much as I can't stand Adam. Usher liked the "midas" touch. Shakira thinks Amber poses a great threat to her remaining members. Adam sees Amber grow and says Midas Whale blows him away every time. 

The knockout goes to: Amber

Team Shakira: Garrett Gardner singing Too Close by Alex Clare vs. Tawnya Reynolds singing Hell on Heels by Pistol Annies-- Both artists are playing their guitars in this knockout. I actually liked both of them, not an easy choice at all. Garrett has improved. I really liked Tawnya, I loved the control in her voice and the inflections. Adam felt that Garrett has improved greatly. Blake liked Tawnya's song choice, but didn't like the yodels. Shakira defends the yodels and says she added them; I liked them too. Usher actually compliments the yodels and says that not many people know how to control their voice in that way. Shakira says Tawnya was bad ass, and Garrett has grown as an artist. 

The knockout goes to: Garrett

Team Adam: Amy Whitcomb singing House of the Rising Sun by Animals vs. Caroline Glaser singing Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men-- Amy shines in a few places, but overall, I find her performance really pitchy. To me, she sounded better when she rehearsed with Adam. I disliked Caroline's song choice, the song did nothing for her, and she too was pitchy. Whoever gets picked has a lot of work to do. Blake felt Amy took a chance. Caroline was more consistent. Usher thought Caroline was shaky, and would give the knockout to Amy. Adam picked them cause they were opposites, and commented that they did better in rehearsals. 

The knockout goes to: Caroline

Team Shakira: Kris Thomas singing What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong vs. Mary Miranda singing Every Breath You Take by The Police-- Oh no, Kris was really pitchy; this is someone who has an incredible voice, but I feel like he pushed it too much. Mary seems a little confused with the tempo of the song, she was going between slow and fast. Blake and Usher agree that they find it difficult who to pick. Usher was impressed with Kris' voice, he felt Mary's personality was missing from this performance. 

The knockout goes to: Kris

Team Adam: Judith Hill singing Always on my Mind by Willie Nelson vs. Orlando Dixon singing All My Life by KC & JoJo-- I liked both performances, I felt that both of them were dialed in with their heart and soul; emotionally, both of them were there. I know everyone would pick Judith, but honestly, did these two need to be against each other as this stage? They were both so good. Blake said he would go with Judith because he couldn't find anything wrong with her performance. Usher thought Orlando had a great performance, but Judith had an incredible performance. Shakira said no lie how good Judith is, but Orlando has improved overall. Adam said he is proud of Orlando because of everything he has been through and cause he's a great guy; Judith's choice juxtaposes who she is and he felt it was amazing. 

The knockout goes to: Judith

Team Shakira: Karina Iglesias singing Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz vs. Monique Abbadie singing Power of Love by Celine Dion-- I loved Karina's song choice, and I did not like Monique's song choice at all. Monique was pitchy, but Karina didn't show a lot of stuff with this song. Usher was entertained by Karina's performance. Blake thought Monique showed more versatility. Shakira thought Monique showed a lot of vocal strength in her performance, and that Karina needs to be careful not to become a caricature, but she has a ton of potential. Shakira picked Karina for her confidence. 

The knockout goes to: Karina 

Team Adam: Warren Stone singing I Just Died in Your Arms by Cutting Crew vs. Sarah Simmons singing Wild Horses by  Rolling Stones-- Warren's performance was pretty unreal; I loved the way he changed up this song and made it his own. Sarah's voice was angelic. I loved both of them genuinely. Blake said it was the best he heard Warren sing, and Sarah lit the place on fire. Usher though Warren had it won, but Sarah blew him away. Shakira would give the knockout to Sarah. I could tell Adam genuinely liked both of them, and had a hard time choosing. 

The knockout goes to: Sarah

Team Shakira: Sasha Allen singing At Last by Etta James vs. Shawna P. singing Maybe I'm Amazed by Paul McCartney--  This was a real battle, both of these women were so good, I was wishing both of them could move on. If I had to choose though, Sasha's emotion and vocals proved to be legit. Adam said Sasha was incredible, and Shawna had the grit for this song; he'd pick Sasha. Blake thought it was the best knockout ever, and said Sasha is a front runner. Usher said he wishes that he had fought harder for Sasha. Shakira said Sasha was shining, and she thinks Shawna is already great and loves her as a person. 

The knockout goes to: Sasha

Tomorrow-- Team Blake and Team Usher......

The Voice Season 4: The Battles Continue

Team Adam: Michael Austin vs. Warren Stone sang My Kinda Party by Jason Aldean-- Blake said he would go with Michael who was rough around the edges. Usher said Warren made country young which gave it some swag. Shakira liked both equally. Adam said they come from totally different places within the realm of county. Because of his versatility, Adam chose Warren. Michael is a really good guy but I have to agree that Warren had such a smoothness to his voice that was extremely attractive.
Adam moves forward with Warren

Team Usher: Jeff Lewis vs. Josiah Hawley sang Roxanne by The Police-- Blake went with Jeff, Adam felt Josiah, not sure who Shakira wanted. She did say it's a tough song, I agree. Sting is such a distinct artist. Usher went with Josiah and I think he made the right decision because Jeff did not take it seriously enough. Josiah also seemed to have more natural star quality which made him an easier choice.
Usher moves forward with Josiah

Not Shown Battles:

Team Blake: Grace Askew vs. Trevor Davis sang Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin
Blake moves forward with Grace Askew

Team Usher: Audrey Karrasch vs. Jamila Thompson sang If I Were a Boy by Beyonce
Usher moves forward with Audrey Karrasch

Team Shakira: Tawnya Reynolds vs. Mark Andrew sang The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
Shakira moves forward with Tawnya Reynolds

Team Blake: Caroline Glaser vs. Danielle Bradbery sang Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae-- Shakira thought the performance was refreshing; she was impressed by the uniqueness of their voices. Adam wanted Danielle on his team bad and thought he was an imbecile for not turning around for Caroline because there is something ethereal and magical about her. Blake loved both of them and regretted putting them together. Blake chose Danielle, I kind of knew he would, predictable. Usher and Adam both want Caroline; Adam was even flirting, lol. I think Danielle was more perfect as Adam said, but I love the inflections in Caroline's voice. I don't know who I would pick; I can tell you that I would love either one of them. Caroline ended up choosing Adam.
Blake moves forward with Danielle
Adam stole Caroline

The Voice Blind Auditions: Season 4, Night 5

Jeff Lewis sang U Got it Bad by Usher-- I actually like the way Jeff flipped this song and I liked that he was playing the guitar, it really personalized it. The judges waited til the very end to turn, but Usher, then Blake, and Shakira (sneaked in at the end), all turned. Blake says he detected a hint of country, and he'd love to have him on team Blake. Shakira said she could help him polish his performance. Usher says he'd like to change his life. Jeff ends up choosing Usher, he grew up listening to him.
Team Usher

Shawna P. sang She Talks to Angels by The Black Crowes-- Shawna has a great rock voice, and it's clear that she's been doing this for a while. Shakira and Adam turn. Shakira and Adam both want what she has in her voice. Adam said she has a Janis Joplin voice, but felt she needed more control. He thinks her voice needs to be on the show. Shawna wants Shakira to teach her how to dance. Adam emphasizes that like Shakira, he is a rock singer.
Team Shakira

Caroline Glaser sang Tiny Dancer by Elton John-- I like her voice, undeniably. That being said, she sounds like several other females who have been on The Voice before. Blake thought that there was so much artistry in her being that she is so young. Shakira thought her voice sounded angelic. Blake knew she sounded like a songwriter. I think that caught Caroline and I think that's why she picked Blake. Shakira is wrong about the fact that there hasn't been someone who sounded like her before. There is someone who sounds like her every year, no offense.
Team Blake

Cameron sang As Long As You Love Me by Justin Bieber-- No one turned around.

Michael Austin sang Someone Like You By Keith Urban-- Blake and Usher have a discussion while he is singing and agree that he's pitchy. He is. It's kind of weird that Adam and Shakira turned so quickly. Michael does seem sure of himself and who he wants to be as an artist as Adam said. Michael ended up choosing Adam.
Team Adam

4 Chair Turn! Sasha Allen sang Not Ready to Make Nice by The Dixie Chicks-- Sasha is talented because I noticed that as I was listening to her I wasn't just hearing her beautiful voice, but I was hearing a story as well. This is someone who potentially could go far, and there's only a handful of contestants who could this year. Adam said that this show has changed his life because he was a cynic before. He said she is magic and wants to be involved in developing her gift. Blake says they're meant to be together. Usher said she made an impression. Shakira believes she's the only one who fully understands Sasha's talent. Sasha thanks all of them and chooses Adam.
Team Adam

Jamila Thompson goes to Team Usher
Amy Whitcomb goes to Team Adam,
Justin Rivers goes to Team Blake, as does Michelle Rietzen

Mary Miranda sang Como La Flor be Selena-- I was impressed with the quality of her performance at the age of 17. She does have a good voice. Blake said he couldn't understand her, but it doesn't matter. Usher heard lots of potential in her voice and he says he loves Bachata. Shakira says, let me talk to my girl. Most obviously, Mary chooses Shakira.
Team Shakira

Grace Askew sang These Boots Are Made for Walking by Nancy Sinatra-- Wow, Blake didn't waste any time. Her voice is so retro, and I love the phrasing and odd inflections in her voice. Her style seems not to be limited to just country and blues but rock as well. Blake said he's really excited about her. Blake thinks that they could make history on the show and if she chooses Shakira, she will be history. Shakira likes her personality and demeanor. Grace said she's a country girl at heart and picked Blake.
Team Blake

Jane Smith sang You've Got the Love by Florence and the Machine, but didn't make the cut.

4 Chair Turn! Ryan Innes sang Gravity by John Mayer-- He said the first word and Adam was turned already, followed by Blake. Usher and Shakira turned around after hearing a little bit more. Ryan has a masculine voice, lots of rasp, nice falsetto, and tons of soul. Blake said Ryan's got soul, and he felt energized. The room came alive. Shakira enjoyed the performance, felt like she was floating, and liked his confidence. Usher said his voice is packed with soul and substance, and it shook the entire room. He said he is here to win. Adam said his turn was lightning quick, and he's dying to be a part of his career, and was so blown away by him. Ryan said because he sings soul music, he is picking Usher.
Team Usher