The Voice Season 8: The Top Ten Go Live!

Team Christina: Kimberly Nichole sang Somethings Got a Hold on Me by Etta James-- Pharrell said it was unbelievable. Adam said she could win this thing, and Christina said she did it again. I liked this performance, but the song did not do much for me. Kimberly definitely worked it and I don't see her going anywhere, but I thought she could have chosen a song she connected with more.

Team Adam: Joshua Davis sang Hold Back the River by James Bay-- Blake felt like the song challenged him vocally, it pushed him harder than ever before. Pharrell said it displayed that there is a broad spectrum to his voice. Adam loves his tone, but felt like it was the right time for him to take a risk. I thought Joshua did connect with this song, and although I wasn't familiar with the song, I felt like it was a strong and meaningful vocal.

Team Blake: Hannah Kirby sang Shout by Tears for Fears-- Christina said Hannah is becoming a superstar. Pharrell said she is truly a great performer. Blake said she's a freak of nature. The song choice and performance was a little bit corny, it came across as a little karaoke. I like her personality, but again, just didn't go it for me.

Team Blake: Meghan Linsey sang Home by Marc Broussard-- Christina said she was so impressed. Adam was blown away by her vocal, it was her personal best performance, and put her way up at the top. I feel like for me, Meghan is the one to beat. She comes out every week and picks the right song, gives amazing performances with great vocals.

Team Pharrell: Koryn Hawthorne sang Make it Rain by Ed Sheeran-- Blake said she could not have done better than she did. Christina said she embodied that song. Pharrell said Koryn is an inspirational singer. This was so soulful, first time I have really heard and loved Koryn's voice. I felt like she connected with the song, and I felt like her tone suited the song extremely well.

Team Adam: Deanna Johnson sang Somebody to Love by Jefferson Airplane-- It seemed like Christina didn't really like it, she called it different. I didn't care for this song for Deanna, I like her a lot, and I think she is so talented, and such a great vocalist. Adam feels like she has accomplished something.

Team Christina: Rob Taylor sang A Song for You by Donny Hathaway-- Pharrell called it masterful. Christina loved the vulnerability that he showed for the first time, she said you are so special, so important, and so rare. Rob is my second pick to win this competition after Meghan. He just comes in every week, and he is so genuine in the way that he manages to connect with every song he sings. It is really amazing that he is able to do that.

Team Blake: Corey Kent White sang Unwound by George Strait-- Adam said that Corey gets more comfortable on stage every time he performs. Blake felt like that although he forgot the lyrics at one point, he kept going, and that's what a seasoned performer would do. I felt like Corey did a good job of getting the crowd going. His personality and charm really sold it this time around.

Team Pharrell: Sawyer Fredericks sang Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls-- Blake said your voice is so strong and so powerful, friggin good. Christina felt like it was awesome as usual. Pharrell said, we need more 16 year olds in the world like you. Wow, I loved that, huge fan of that song, and love what Sawyer did with it. I am not his biggest fan, but this was understated yet powerful.

Team Christina: India Carney sang Run to You by Whitney Houston-- Love India, love her, but there were pitch issues all over the place, but Pharrell thought it was a beautiful performance. Adam said they should have hired her for the musical she auditioned for. Christina said this is the moment where you conquered your fear.

In trouble tomorrow--Hannah Kirby, India Carney, Deanna Johnson

The Voice Season 8: The Top 12 Perform

Team Blake: Hannah Kirby sang Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks-- I like Hannah's personality, but I feel like something she has to work on is not performing at the same volume throughout the song because this performance lacked dynamics. I feel like the judges seem to always say the same things about her all the time. Blake said her vocals blow him away.

Team Adam: Brian Johnson sang If I Ever Lose My Faith in You by Sting-- I liked this song for Brian, and it was a sound vocal. The only thing I would say is that it got a little boring towards the end. Christina said she feels like Brian improves every week (just a note, I don't see Hannah's growth every week). Adam said Brian did a great job despite this being a technically difficult song to sing.

Team Christina: India Carney sang Take Me to Church by Hosier-- Pharrell said it seems like India has been doing this for years. Adam said you have fans and that's something that becomes really important at this stage of the competition. Christina said India had a presence and conviction that she's never seen before. I wasn't blown away by the song choice, but I thought it was the strongest vocal of the night.

Team Pharrell: Mia Z. sang Miss You by The Rolling Stones-- Mia is one of the strongest performers on this show, and her vocal range is incredible. I continue to be impressed with the fact that she is so young, yet so mature. Adam said you big a great job on selling that song. Blake said I love what you do with a melody. Pharrell said I am so happy for you, and I can't wait to do more with you.

Team Adam: Deanna Johnson sang Oceans by Hillsong United-- Christina said it sounded really beautiful. Pharrell said that Deanna has such a great tone and he can't believe she even gets nervous. Adam said he couldn't hear her cause of the music, but when he did he was so happy for her. I love Deanna and I think she is someone who could have a huge career after The Voice. I could definitely see her being on the country music charts.

Team Pharrell: Sawyer Fredericks sang Imagine by John Lennon-- Blake said you make everything you do seem right, you're a champ. Christina said you don't try, you project, and it just works. Pharrell said he is so proud of Sawyer, and he handled himself well. I love that song so much, and I like Sawyer a lot, but for some reason, I am not as sold on him as some of the judges are.

Team Christina: Rob Taylor sang I Put a Spell on You by Ella Fitzgerald-- That was the performance of the night. There was so much passion in that, he put his Rob signature on it, and Reba was right about him making it his own. Pharrell said it was a masterful performance. Christina said that's why I came back to The Voice, you slayed it.

Team Blake: Corey Kent White sang Why by Jason Aldean-- Christina said another strong performance, you have the girl vote. Adam said you're on the precipice of something that's truly impactful. Blake said you didn't sing perfectly but you delivered the song perfectly. You're a threat to win this show, you're a great artist. Adam said what I saw thinking but didn't know how to verbalize, it's like he's within reach of being amazing but he's not quite there yet. Corey has so much heart and that is clear with each and every performance.

Team Pharrell: Koryn Hawthorne sang Stronger by Kelly Clarkson-- Love Koryn, love her spirit, don't like her voice. There is this weird rasp in her voice that I can't get over. Christina said Koryn came to the stage as Tina Turner this week. Blake said welcome to the top ten. Pharrell said that he is in awe of her poise.

Team Adam: Joshua Davis sang America by Simon and Garfunkel-- Blake said you embrace every song on that stage like you wrote it yourself. Christina said you stepped outside your comfort zone not having your guitar, it kind of brought me back to the movie Almost Famous. Pharrell said it was your best performance yet, it was magical tonight. Adam told Josh it was perfect. I agree with everyone's comments. Once again, I feel like this is one of the strongest performances of the night. I agree with every comment, Josh has such sincerity, and every time he sings, it bleeds authenticity. I love that about him, Welcome to the top ten from me Josh!

Team Blake: Meghan Linsey sang Girl Crush by Little Big Town-- Loved her, Blake was on his feet. Amazing vocal, she made me feel every single note. I loved her. Pharrell said you're right where you needed to be, you did it. Adam said I've loved you forever, you're amazing, you've always been amazing. It makes me sad cause I'm not part of it, I hate you Blake, I love you Meghan. Blake said you always hope for that breakout moment, I think you just had a breakout moment, incredible sis, awesome.

Team Christina: Kimberly Nichole sang House of the Rising Sun by Creedance Clearwater Revival-- Kimberly's performance was so bad ass. She took us to church, she took us to Woodstock, amazing. Pharrell said I am still standing on my feet. There are no words to tell you what you've just done. Adam said WHAT?!?! That's all. Blake said we have to talk about Christina possibly winning her first season of The Voice. Christina said I have never heard that interpretation of that song ever.

Bottom 3: My Predictions
Hannah Kirby
Koryn Hawthorne
Sawyer Fredericks

The Voice Season 8: Live! Team Christina and Team Adam

Team Adam: Tonya Boyd Cannon sang Take Me to the Pilot by Elton John-- Blake said Tonya embraced this moment. Christina said I just loved it because I love anything that sounds like church. Pharrell said you took America on a trip, it was magical how you got everyone's spirit moving. Adam said Tonya is a confidence builder, and she's bold. I loved Tonya's energy and she made it even more gospel than the original. Her performance really just bled of authenticity.

Team Adam: Joshua Davis sang Budapest by George Ezra-- Blake said there's something about your voice, and it was dumb of me to let you go, but you're with the right guy now. Christina said your voice is so soothing, it's so comforting. Pharrell said what you've done makes me interested in your future. I loved Joshua's stage presence and his vocals were so easy to listen to. I really liked this.

Team Christina: Sonic sang I'm Goin Down by Mary J. Blige-- Blake said your attack coming back from the tough parts was so powerful. I love that raw anger and energy you have. Pharrell said it was relentless. Hmmm I am unsure of that performance. I am a huge Sonic fan but I felt like that was a little bit forced.

Team Adam: Brian Johnson sang At This Moment by Billy Vera-- Blake said you get better every time, you're a perfect vocalist. Christina said you poured so much heart into that. Pharrell said you expressed yourself and everyone got it, you hit every note so comfortably. Adam said I know you want to win The Voice, but it's more important for you to sing, I think you're amazing. Brian has such an amazing gift. His performances are always so powerful and he just has this beautiful way of emoting through his voice.

Team Christina: Kimberly Nichole sang What's Up by 4 Non Blonds-- Pharrell said it was perfection, you have so much depth of soul in your voice and your personality. Adam said Kimberly, that was amazing, that's a really hard song to sing and you destroyed it. Blake said that was unbelievable. I loved Kimberly's performance, she is such a special performer. There's so much humility, and yet her confidence is like no other. Standing ovation, well deserved.

Team Christina: Lexi Davila sang All by Myself by Celine Dion-- Adam said I'm so proud of you, and I am so genuinely happy for you. Christina said you made me so happy to watch you on this journey, you loosened up and tried new things. You nailed it. This song seemed to be a little bit unrelatable for Lexi, I understand why Christina chose it, but she's 17, so the meaning could still be a little bit lost. Her vocals were strong.

Team Adam: Nathan Hermida sang Chains by Nick Jonas-- Pharrell said it sounded good. Adam said he gets 100% for effort and he heard vocal issues but he felt that they could be fixed. I felt like he went off key a little, and I wanted him to hit that higher note in the song that Nick Jonas hits and he didn't. It was kind of anti climatic.

Team Christina: India Carney sang Hurt by Christina Aguilera-- Pharrell said that was like watching a film, you just closed the show for me. Blake said it was emotional, dramatic, and powerful. Christina, your team is unbelievable. Christina said I am so speechless, something happens when you walk on the stage. India's performance was so heartfelt and so powerful that it moved me to tears.

Team Christina: Rob Taylor sang Earned it by The Weeknd-- Pharrell said good brother, to me, that is the definition of different and effortless. Adam said, Rob damn, I love how you put yourself into every note. I don't know what to say. Christina said you have everything, and every time you come out here, it's so unexpected. Rob has a special voice, his full voice is amazing, and like Christina said, when he goes into his falsetto, he lights up, magic happens.

Team Adam: Deanna Johnson sang Down to the River to Pray by Allison Krauss-- Blake said I had my doubts about what would happen to you in the lives, this was outstanding. Pharrell said I love the wholesome sense to your voice. Adam said we have had a lot of conversations about self esteem, you finally did what I have been dying for you to do, it was flawless. I think Deanna just gave the performance of her life, and salvaged the night for Team Adam. Her voice is gorgeous and her spirit and is beautiful.

Who is going home:

Team Adam: Nathan Hermida and either Joshua Davis or Brian Johnson-- that's a toss up
Team Christina: Sonic and Lexi Davila

The Voice Season 8: Who Returns Home in the Knockouts?

Team Blake: Cody Wickline singing Til My Last Day by Justin Moore versus Corey Kent White singing Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw-- Christina said Corey came out with so much heart, and Cody you poured your heart into your performance as well. Pharrell said Cody I didn't know you had those kinds of runs, and Corey you had such a presence.  Adam said Corey you delivered your vocal in an incredibly passionate way. Blake said Cody has a sound that isn't on the radio. Corey you took what was happening in your real life and dumped it into your song.
Should win: Corey and Cody really
Who won? Corey

Team Adam: Blaze Johnson singing You Found Me by The Fray versus Deanna Johnson singing Listen to Your Heart by Roxette-- I liked Blaze's rich tone, it sounded like he went off pitch somewhere but you could tell that he really felt the meaning of the song. Deanna had pitch issues all the way through as Blake noted. Christina said Blaze had an urgency and an overall strong performance. Adam told Deanna she is running out of reasons not to believe in herself. I would choose Blaze cause he wanted it more.
Should win: Blaze
Who won? Deanna

Team Pharrell: Hannah Kirby singing Bring Me a Higher Love by Steve Winwood versus Caitlin Caporale singing War by Demi Lovato-- I didn't love Hannah's performance, to me, it seemed like she was bordering on shouting. In terms of being the technically better singer, I would go with Cailtin. Blake said, I don't know who I would go with. Christina said Caitlin's performance was very special.
Should win: Caitlin
Who won? Caitlin, but Blake stole back Hannah

All Battles: The Voice Season 8

Team Pharrell: Anthony Riley versus Travis Ewing sang Get Ready by The Temptations-- Adam thought Travis did an amazing job but he would go with Anthony. Blake said Travis made it a battle, and would choose him. Christina said based on her personal preference she would choose Anthony. I didn't care much about this battle, neither one of them really stood out to me. Anthony seemed more comfortable and in the zone so I could choose him.
Pharrell chose Anthony
Surprisingly, Blake came in with the steal for Travis

Team Christina: Ameera Delandro versus Sonic sang Masterpiece by Jessie J-- The girls took Nick Jonas's notes because the harmonies sounded tight. I think both of them sound great. Sonic sounded a little more soulful so I think I'd choose her. Wow, I think both of them deserve to move on, this was an exciting battle. Pharrell said Ameera went for it. Adam said it was like a "matrix" battle, and he felt the battle was pretty equal. Blake thought Ameera has a cool voice, and liked Sonic's pocket.
Christina chose Sonic

Team Christina: Gabriel Wolfchild versus Joe Tolo and Christina chose Joe

Team Adam: Deanna Johnson versus Nicholette Mare and Adam chose Deanna

Team Adam: Josh Batstone versus Nathan Hermida and Adam chose Nathan

Team Blake: Hannah Kirby versus Sarah Potenza sang Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones-- Sarah has the grittier voice, but Hannah stepped up to the plate, although at times I felt she was shouting. I think I would choose Sarah. Pharrell said Hannah is afraid of no one. Adam thought it was so even so he gave it to Hannah. Blake said Sarah you toned it down and Hannah you showed us your range.
Blake chose Sarah
Pharrell and Adam chimed in to steal Hannah and she chose Pharrell

Team Adam: Blaze Johnson versus Michael Leier sang Rude by Magic-- I liked both of them but I give the edge to Blaze. He just sounded stronger and bigger. Pharrell said it became intense at the end, I thought Blaze had the stronger performance. Adam said he heard and felt Blaze, and he said Michael controlled the rock and roll.
Adam chose Blaze

Team Blake: Cody Wickline versus Matt Snook sang How Country Feels by Randy Houser-- Both guys really got into the song. I loved how they got the audience and Christina into it. Christina said I like how country feels. Adam said they were literally hitting on Christina. Christina said both guys had great energy and she thought Cody was a cutie. Adam enjoyed both of them, but he said Matt gave the better vocal. Blake said he has to go with his gut, and ......
Blake chose Cody

Team Pharrell: Meghan Linsey versus Paul Pfau sang Don't Let Me Down by The Beatles-- Both were strong here, and it seemed like they were doing a real duet. Christina said Paul is a real individual, and she said Meghan really shines. Blake said, Pharrell, if I were you, I wouldn't pick Meghan (wink, wink). Pharrell said you both proved that you should stay on the show. I think everyone is going to try and steal Meghan.
Pharrell chose Paul
It's a three way fight to the end. Adam said Christina remember in the blind auditions when we turned around for Meghan and Blake didn't. Blake said, epic fail from Adam when he had three out of four finalists and still lost.
Meghan chose Blake

Night Two of the Blinds on The Voice Season 8

Anthony Riley sang I Feel Good by James Brown-- Anthony has a great voice, and that was made very clear when all four coaches turned around almost immediately. Anthony comes across to me like one of those old school Motown performers and as good as his voice is, his personality and charm is just as electric. Blake told Anthony he is not in over his head and loved watching his whole performance. Christina said he worked the audience. Pharrell said he is electric. Adam said the hardest thing to do is stay hot, and he can help him do that.
Anthony chose Pharrell

Gabriel Wolfchild sang Don't Think Twice by Bob Dylan-- Everyone turned except Pharrell. Adam said, you're the coolest dude ever. Blake said you're creative, you don't sing into peoples' ears, you sing into their heart. Christina said you'd be one of a kind for me. Gabriel said he would have picked Pharrell if he got four chairs. Pharrell told him to go with his spirit. Gabriel's performance didn't excite me, but I will say that I heard every single thing he said, and his performance was emotional.
Gabriel chose Christina

Brooke Adee sang Skinny Love by Birdy-- Adam and Blake turned almost right away. This girl has a great quality in her voice, I love her tone. There was shades of Sara McLachlan, but yet there was something about her that was so original, and the fact that she is 16 is crazy. Blake said you amaze me, you're a future star. Adam said that was an amazing performance, and I can't let Blake take you.The audience was chanting for Blake.
Brooke chose Blake

Dylan Dunlap sang Talk Dirty by Jason Derulo-- No one turned, it was the wrong song to flip. Too risky, it didn't sound good.

Tonya Boyd Cannon sang Happy by Pharrell-- I loved Tonya! She just sold the song, her personality was so great, and it just made me happy to watch her up on stage performing. Christina said you're awesome and I'm ready. Pharrell said I love people who take chances and it would be awesome to work together. Adam said there was 58 seconds between when I pushed my button and they pushed theirs, don't go with me, I think you should.
Tonya chose Adam

Joe Tolo sang To Love Somebody by The Bee Gees-- Christina and Blake turned. I didn't love the song, but I think Joe has talent. Christina said let's do this together, I want to win with you. Christina asked what kind of music he wants to sing, and he said soul, and Adam said I'm pretty sure Blake doesn't even have a soul.
Joe chose Christina

Drew Parker sang Workin' Man Blues by Merle Haggard-- I was surprised no one turned on this. Drew seems like such a nice guy with a great voice, I hope he comes back.

Mia Z sang The Thrill is Gone by BB King-- I thought she deserved a four chair turn. Only Blake and Pharrell turned. This girl has a ridiculous voice, and I loved the song she chose, wow! Blake said I never heard a performance like that. Pharrell said your range is insane. Blake said I am desperate for you to be on my team.
Mia chose Pharrell

Blaze Johnson sang How to Save a Life by The Fray-- Adam turned followed by Adam. I like Blaze's vocal, it's strong. Blake said I think you would be great on my team, and when you become famous, you can be your own security. Adam said you exist outside the box, I think you're astounding.
Blaze chose Adam

Bryan Piece sang Rocket Man by Elton John-- No one turned around. I feel like there was a lot of good and bad parts of that performance.

Deanna Johnson sang All I Want by Kodaline-- It was a four chair turn. Deanna's voice is haunting. Blake said that there is no one like her. Pharrell said I wasn't here when you came the first time, and I never would have let you go. Adam said I love that you came back and got four chairs to turn around.
Deanna chose Adam