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: Battles Better Than Ever

Team Usher: Jessica Childress vs. Vedo sang Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars-- I loved both of them so much; they had great singing chemistry that was full of emotion. I hate that they were up against one another. Adam said that he wants to be friends with Jessica. Adam was impressed with Vedo, and said that their connection was great and it made him happy. Blake said they both lit up the room with their connection, and there is no right or wrong decision here. Usher felt that they supported one another in this performance, and believes everyone made a connection with these two.
Usher moves forward with Vedo...... I'm shocked that no one stole Jessica, but love Vedo!

Team Shakira: Luke Edgemon vs. Monique Abbadie sang You and I by Lady Gaga-- Love the intensity that Monique possesses and love Luke's passion, both of them were unbelievable. Blake and Adam both felt like Luke won the battle. Usher thinks Luke has a career as a performer, and he felt that Luke and Monique together complimented one another. Shakira thinks that Monique sounds like a pro already. In a strategic move, Shakira chose Monique being that the other coaches were so excited about Luke. Blake and  Usher both pushed their buttons to try and steal Luke. Luke opted to be strategic as well and chose Blake.
Shakira moves forward with Monique
Blake stole Luke

Team Blake: Jacqui Sandell vs. Savannah Berry sang Little White Church by Little Big Town-- Adam remains upset that he lost Savannah to Blake. He loved their victory jump at the end. Usher like the energy and the fun they had with their performance. He said he couldn't pick one over the other. Shakira found Jacqui was a little uncomfortable, and she loved Savannah's inflections. Blake chooses Savannah, but Jacqui says she has been completely inspired by the experience and says that it's changed her. I actually did like Savannah better in this case; I think ultimately, she has more potential. The fact that she's so young also says so much about her.
Blake moves forward with Savannah

Team Shakira: C. Perkins vs. Kris Thomas sang It Will Rain by Bruno Mars-- I wasn't digging the arrangement of this song, but I think both of them have great voices. I love Kris' voice, but I don't necessarily think he out enough emotion into it. Blake loved C's rasp, and Kris' verbrato. Usher thinks that they both need more work, and he feels that they would be able to help them. Shakira felt that they held back; completely agree, they needed to leave it all out there. She felt that C. had grown so much, and she thought that the guys who dropped Kris from his record deal were big jerks. Usher felt that C. has so much potential that has yet to be seen; I think it's true for both guys. Just as C. was about to leave and he was standing in front of Usher, Usher came in with the steal.
Shakira moves forward with Kris
Usher stole C.

Team Adam: Midas Whale vs. Patrick Dodd sang Burnin' Love by Elvis Presley-- In rehearsals, Patrick loved when Adam introduced a more blue grass feel to the song. Usher thinks both are equally talented. Blake and Shakira love the rasp in Patrick's voice. Shakira loves how Midas Whale enjoys their performances. Adam thinks Midas Whale is one of the most charismatic duos he's ever seen perform, and calls Patrick an exquisite singer. Adam made a tough choice, and picked Midas Whale over Patrick Dodd but vowed to help all of them. I must say that I agree with Adam when he said this was the toughest choice, I could see that. Neither artist did anything wrong.
Adam moves forward with Midas Whale

Team Usher: Orlando Dixon vs. Ryan Innes sang Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers-- These two guys sounded great together, their voices blended well. I have to say, overall, I am really impressed with how Usher has prepped all his battles. I don't think anyone has been on par or under par, they've all been phenomenal. Shakira said she doesn't know who to pick. Adam called Orlando a revelation. Blake called Ryan a guy's guy. Usher said Orlando moved the room, and Ryan had so much conviction, even just singing one simple note. Usher actually went with Ryan, I am a little surprised; Usher thought he was powerful and had depth. Adam stole Orlando and said he's an exceptional talent and needs to be here. This battle had a happy ending.
Usher moves forward with Ryan
Adam stole Orlando

Tomorrow night is the last night of battles!

The Voice Blind Auditions: Season 4, Night 3

The Swon Brothers sang American Girl by Tom Petty-- Blake says he's an Okie just like them (they're all from Oklahoma). Usher thinks he can help them get to where they need to be. Shakira hopes to give them a fresh perspective. What I loved was the rawness and realness in their voices. The guys ended up choosing Blake.
Team Blake

Taylor Beckham sang I'm Goin Down by Mary J. Blige-- Usher and Shakira both turn around. Taylor is only 17! She has soul, but she is nervous and sounds like a kid and that comes across. Shakira tries to relate to her by saying she was a gymnast like Taylor used to be. Adam actually tries to sell Usher as her coach, and ultimately she chooses him. To me, I think Taylor has the goods, but is she a little too young? Perhaps.
Team Usher

Sam Alves sang Feelin' Good by Nina Simone or Michael Buble--  Okay now, so I didn't love this young man. That being said, the judges have chosen other people this year and in years past that are not as good as this guy was. Sam said that everything happens for a reason and he fully believes that. No one turning around was a surprise to me; I think a couple of them regretted it when he sang the last note.

Karina Iglesias sang I'm the Only One by Melissa Etheridge-- Adam and Blake kept going  back and forth deciding whether or not to push the button and they kept daring each other. Finally, at the very last moment, they both pushed the button. Shakira regretted not pushing the button. Blake said as she sang, it was like she kept pushing the gas pedal. Karina says that as long as she has been watching the show, she's been wanting to say, I'm picking Team Adam. Adam is happy he has Karina on his team because he is a bad ass singer.
Team Adam

Garrett Gardner sang Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes-- I definitely feel that Garrett improved over the last time he was here. That was a much better song choice for him but that was a bit screamy. He pushed too much at the end. I do think he took Blake's criticism and really worked on his craft. Adam said he was overjoyed that he made it and is on someone's team. Shakira was the only one who turned around, and remembered him from last year and wanted Garrett on her team.
Team Shakira

Flash Rounds:
J'Sun, an R&B singer ends up on Shakira’s team
Duncan is a Hawaiian folks singer who makes it on Team Adam
Chelsea M. lands on Usher’s team

4 Chair Turn! Holly Tucker sang To Make You Feel My Love-- Adam immediately turned his chair, followed by Shakira, Usher, and Blake. Usher gave her a standing ovation. Holly says she has always wanted to be a country singer. Adam said you're so good that you blow any genre out of the water; I want to work with you really badly. Usher said he wants to nurture her talent. Shakira loved the honesty of her performance and said that if she feels adventurous to pick her. Blake said he turned around last because he initially couldn't hear her cause Usher was talking. Holly ends up going with her country connection, and choose Blake. Holly has a really smooth voice, and her personality is so honest.
Team Blake

And now we bring you a montage of people who didn't make the show.....

Let's move on......

Landon Medvec sang You Give Me Something by James Morrison-- He sounds too much like James Morrison; he needs to develop his sound more and come back. There was also a little too much rasp. Blake and Usher thought that Landon sounded like a girl. Shakira thought he was in control and loved his choice of song. Adam said that sometimes it sounded like him doing an impression of James.
No one chose him either.

Michelle Chamuel sang I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry-- Adam turned, then Shakira, wait a while, and then Usher turns around too. Her voice is different and her character is compelling. Shakira thought Michelle was spectacular and fierce and compared it to her beginnings. Michelle said I have a question for the three amazing humans who pushed their buttons and Blake said what about me? Usher said, what it is is that you're not a human. Usher said he wants to know what kind of music she would like to be known for? She said electronic pop. I actually do like the pairing of her with Usher. Michelle was really gracious and thanked all the judges and the ones who turned around.
Team Usher

Julie Roberts sang God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton-- She previously had a record deal and lost it after the flood in Nashville. I didn't feel she was connected to the song as she sang it. I understand why no one turned around; there was nothing that compelled them to. Blake feels bad that he didn't turn around, but there are a lot of things Julie could stand to work on.

4 Chair Turn! Monique Abbadie sang Loca by Shakira-- Monique was a regular on Sabado Gigante, and she just has so much good energy and happiness when she sings. Usher said she rocked. Adam said the rhythmic sensibility is so on money. Blake said I hit my button first, but she's picking Shakira. Shakira liked the aggression she took on the verses. The guys actually want her to pick Shakira. Monique says Usher is good looking. She chooses her Idol, Shakira!
Team Shakira

4 Chair Turn! Warren Stone sings Colder Weather by The Zac Brown Band-- Love this guys story, he is a divorced dad and firefighter with the great ability to tell a story with his voice. Adam turns right away, then Usher and Shakira, and lastly Blake. Adam is so ignited by what he's done and knows he is going to be a great country star. Blake said country is a hard community to break into. Shakira believes she can mentor him, because talent is talent. Adam asks him to be adventurous, and take a chance with him. Everyone is shocked when Warren picks Adam.
Team Adam