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 Last Round of Battles Sizzles

Team Shakira: Brandon Roush vs. Shawna P. sang Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin-- This was really Shawna's battle to lose because she was the more experience and seasoned performer. Brandon put up quite the effort, and I give him props for keeping up with her. Shakira calls the battle eagerness vs. experience and she chooses experience meaning Brandon is sent home.
Shakira moves forward with Shawna P.

Team Adam: Duncan Kamakana vs. Sarah Simmons sang Wanted You More by Lady Antebellum-- Blake called Sarah one of his favorite singers in the competition. Usher liked Duncan's confidence, but felt Sarah's voice was incredible. Adam liked Sarah's effortlessness, but praised Duncan's talent. I have to admit, I was hoping someone would steal Duncan, but there was no denying Sarah's raw talent. Her voice and vulnerability were unmatched. She is definitely a threat in this competition.
Adam moves forward with Sarah

Team Usher: Michelle Chamuel vs. Chelsea M. sang Titanium by Sia and David Guetta
Usher moves forward with Michelle Chamuel

Team Adam: Amy Whitcomb vs. Agina Alvarez sang Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar
Adam moves forward with Amy Whitcomb

Team Blake: Justin Rivers vs. The Morgan Twins sang Easy by Rascal Flatts
Blake moves forward with Justin Rivers

Final battle of this season was from Team Shakira:
Cathia vs. Mary Miranda sang Antes de las Seis by Shakira-- Adam thought it was beautiful and said if he had to choose it would be Mary. Blake said he loved it and Cathia blew him away. Usher thought it was rather narcissistic for Shakira to choose her own song, but Shakira explained that she wanted to see how each of them would handle it. Shakira said that Cathia has undeniable vocal ability. Mary has a sweet like cotton candy voice, and ultimately she won because of her signature vocal style and charisma. I loved both of them, and I agree there is definitely something about Mary, but a part of me loved the richness of Cathia's voice. Usher came in with the steal for Cathia at the end because she sold him on the song and provided his team with some versatility.
Shakira moves forward with Mary
Usher stole Cathia

Here's what the teams look like now:

Team Adam:
Amber Carrington
Amy Whitcomb
Judith Hill
Midas Whale
Sarah Simmons
Warren Stone
Caroline Glaser (stolen from Team Blake)
Orlando Dixon (stolen from Team Usher)

Team Blake:
Danielle Bradbery
Grace Askew
Holly Tucker
Justin Rivers
Savannah Berry
The Swon Brothers
Luke Edgemon (stolen from Team Shakira)
Taylor Beckham (stolen from Team Usher)

Team Shakira:
Garrett Gardner
Kris Thomas
Mary Miranda
Monique Abbadie
Shawna P.
Tawnya Reynolds
Karina Iglesias (stolen from Team Adam)
Sasha Allen (stolen from Team Adam)

Team Usher:
Audrey Karrasch
Jess Kellner
Josiah Hawley
Michelle Chamuel
Ryan Innes
Vedo
C. Perkins (stolen from Team Shakira)
Cathia (stolen from Team Shakira)

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