The Voice Season 27: Adam and Kelsea pick who goes to the lives, but are they the right picks?

Team Kelsea: 

Iris Herrera sang White Horse by Chris Stapleton-- In my opinion, she's a shoe in for the live shows because to have so much control and such maturity in your voice at her age is incredible. She's honed her skills and practiced her craft. John said her voice was shredding. Adam called her believable. 

Jaelen Johnston sang If You're Reading This by Tim McGraw-- Jaelen is literally an artist who I could see in country music right now, he is relevant, and I think he fills somewhat of a void. He's been someone since the beginning that I wanted to see go through to lives. Michael advised Kelsea to put him through if she wants to win. Kelsea said he told a story while staying true to the heart of the lyrics. 

Alanna Lynise sang Nobody Gets Me by Sza-- She has grown and come into her own, this is the best I have heard her. John says she is becoming a superstar, and Michael agrees with John and says she should go to the lives. 

Tinika Wyatt sang I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe-- Tinika has improved so much since her first audition. I loved this song for her. I will say I wanted a little more dynamics and passion going into the song. I remember Todd Tilghman singing this five years ago and I wanted her to create that angst and drive. Adam said she was ten times better than when she started out. Michael was moved by her performance. John and Kelsey both called it beautiful. 

Darius J. sang Hey Ya by Outkast-- I have appreciated Darius's desire to push creative boundaries on this show and to be himself. The authenticity of this performance was wonderful. I don't know how far he would get in lives. Kelsey says she continues to be attracted to his artistry. 

Team Adam: 

Lucia Flores Wiseman sang In My Life by The Beatles-- What a stunning performance from beginning to end. She deserves to be here and move forward. Kelsey said it was her favorite thing she has seen this season. Michael described her as inevitable and non-negotiable, which I completely agree. 

Conor James sang Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan-- Conor is always entertaining but I don't think this song did him any favors. I will say, I can see Conor on Broadway, I think that's where he belongs (pun intended). Adam said he can sing anything. 

Kolby Cordell sang Finesse by Bruno Mars-- It was great to have an upbeat performance. Kolby sounded great. I can see him potentially doing well in the live shows with proper song selection. John loved the confidence and swagger. Michael believes Kolby is a contender. 

Ethan Eckenroad sang The Night We Met by Lord Huron-- Gorgeous song choice, Ethan was in great voice singing that. He has always been one of my favorites since the beginning. I feel like he just strongly knows who he is as an artist. Adam said he is proud to have Ethan represent his team. 

Britton Moore sang Somewhere Only We Know by Keane-- I love Britton and would love to see him in the lives. However, at times, this song seems to be a kiss of death. He sounded great, but the song is a little sleepy. All the coaches loved his performance of the song, they commented on interpretation, fanbase,  and John said he sounded like Niall Horan. 

Kelsea chose Iris and Alanna 

Adam chose Lucia and Kolby  

It seems like they both probably needed a third pick-- I would have added Jaelen for Kelsea's team and Britton for Adam's team. Ultimately though, although I was upset, I agree with the choices that they made. 

 

 

The Voice Season 27: It's Getting Harder to Breathe with these Knockouts...

Team Buble: Divighn sang Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5 vs. Kaiya Hamilton sang Here by Aleesia Cara-- These two are well matched and both should move forward. I am fan of Harder to Breathe, but I have to say, hearing Divighn singing it, I felt like I was hearing it for the first time. I loved the sharpness of his words and the performance as a whole. He worked the stage as well which is difficult to do while keeping up the vocal. Kaiya took on this song so well, this is a tough one, and she navigated it with ease and sounded amazing. She's probably one of the most technically gifted singers in this competition. Adam recognized his song and loved what Divighn did with it. He said Kaiya sang her butt off. Kelsea said Kaiya ebbed and flowed with the song, and it sounded different to her than the original which she said was Kaiya's artistry coming through. She said Songs About Jane is one of her fave albums and complimented Divighn on his performance.  Michael chose Kaiya.. thinking about it, this was the best choice to move forward. 

Team Legend: Bryson Battle sang Ain't No Way by Aretha Franklin vs. Tatum Scott sang Stick Season by Noah Kahn-- I am in awe of Bryson's technical abilities as a vocalist. He is just stunning. I loved how he seamlessly kept moving from is falsetto to his full voice. I don't know many that do that as effortlessly. Tatum, as Kelsea noted, gave what was her personal best performance of the competition, she was just up against a beast in Bryson, but she's clearly gifted as a vocalist. Adam said that what they were doing could not have been more different yet there was no clear cut winner. Kelsea said Bryson feels like one of the greats. Michael said he is thankful to be able to witness these amazing performances. John chose Bryson. 

Montaged Performance: 
Team Kelsea: Alanna Lynise sang I'll Never Love Again by Lady Gaga vs. Page McKenzie (we did not see her performance). Kelsea chose Alanna. 

Team Adam: Ari Camille sang Love Like This by Faith Evans vs. Britton Moore sang Free by Zac Brown Band-- Two cool and stylized performances. I like Ari, I've always liked that grit in her voice. It got away from her at times but she ended well. Britton was a revelation, he's grown a lot and could be a front runner based on that performance. Kelsea said Britton your voice is like self auto tuned, and Ari your energy, you came to life. Michael said you're both only 21 years old. Britton, you have youthful beauty and a gorgeous tone. Britton won that. John said Ari, that was your best performance, and Britton, that was pitch perfect. You both earned the right to not leave the competition. Adam said you both did what needed to be done. Adam chose Britton and John stole Ari (she returned to Team Legend). 

The Voice Season 27: "Creep"-ing through the Battles

Team Adam: Britton Moore vs Darius J sang Creep by Radiohead-- I thought this was going to be a bore! It was interesting and it was true enough to the original, but altered ever so slightly to fit the style of the artists. Kelsea felt that they could both be in the finals. She couldn't choose one over there. Michael compared Darius to a less sweary Gordan Ramsay, someone who loves who he is cooking for. He said, Britton, you hit that top note. I was like who is Adam gonna choose. Both he and Kelsea hinted at stealing the one Adam didn't choose. John called Darius a "presence" and said Britton's voice is so "connected and powerful". He would choose Britton. Adam spoke of how much the two had improved since rehearsals.  Adam chose Britton, Kelsea and Michael stole Darius but Adam saved him. 

Team Legend: Kolby Cordell vs Pablo Herrera sang Tacones Rojo by John Legend and Sebastian Yatra-- Both great artists, but Kolby won this one for me. I loved his soulfulness. This was a little out of the box for him and he aced it. Kelsea said Kolby's voice is like a warm hug and she would go with him. Adam calls Kolby "bad". Michael says what Pablo did was difficult, and he compares Kolby's voice to John's. John chose Kolby, he was impressed with his ability to sing a song not in his wheelhouse. 

Team Buble: Braxton Garza vs Jadyn Cree sang Danny's Song by Loggins & Messina-- Not crazy about this song choice at all. It just sounds dated and old fashioned. Nothing against Jayden, I think Braxton gave the better performance. I liked both contestants. The coaches complimented both contestants. Michael believes Jayden could win the competition, and of course chooses her, sending Braxton home. I am surprised no one stole him but I think he was the victim of poor song selection. 

Team Kelsea: Angie Rey vs Tatum Scott sang Girl by Maren Morris-- Love both of these girls. I think either one of them could move forward. Angie was a one chair turn and Tatum was a two chair turn. Michael said that they are what this show is all about. Kelsea said Angie is the biggest surprise on her team, her dark horse. Kelsea chose Angie and John stole Tatum. He said he really wanted her in the Blind Auditions. 

Team Adam: Fran Posla vs Ethan Eckenroad sang July by Noah Cyrus and Leon Bridges-- LOVED the song choice. Fran was definitely the stronger voice and presence throughout but when Ethan shone, he shone bright. He's very different. The second half of the performance was so strong, the dynamics were sharp and I loved the way they ended the song. Michael called it his fave battle of the day. He would pick Ethan. John said he would pick Fran. Adam picked Ethan.

Team Legend: Nell Simmons vs Olivia Kuper Harris sang Feel Like Making Love by Roberta Flack-- Okay, I loved both of these ladies and I honestly feel like both should advance. The song itself was a little dated for me, I think John could have chosen something more well known or current but they are both such strong singers that they overcame that. Adam said both are so strong and called Nell a revelation and said both need to advance. Kelsea said both found their "sexy power". Michael felt transported to another era. He felt Nell had the tougher job and would pick her. John chose Olivia. Adam stole her, but John saved her. Adam said he should have turned for her in the blinds, and she was overlooked but he won't let that happen again. Nell said John broke her heart but she is giving him one more chance and stayed with John.  

The Voice Season 27: Forgive My Northern Attitude, It's the Blinds

Season 27 of The Voice started last week. Michael Buble returned for his second season, John Legend returned from a brief hiatus. Kelsea Ballerini joined the show as a new coach and OG coach Adam Levine returned. 

I was underwhelmed by the premiere. There were many contestants that I did not think were that great, four chair turn worthy, not worthy of a turn at all that got a turn. It was interesting to me. 

I'm going to skip over the ones I wasn't impressed with. 

Skip... Grace Miller Moody sang Sunday Morning by Maroon Five-- shocking four chair turn, Grace picks Adam

Renzo sang Simple Man by Lynard Skynard-- Remember Dennis Lorenzo from American Idol Top 10 Season 16? He has a pure voice, this did not show off his falsetto which is perhaps the best part of his voice, but his purity gets him on the show. John blocks Adam. All the guys turn, and Renzo picks John Legend. 

Iris Herrera sang You Are My Sunshine-- Seemed like an odd choice but she got three chairs, everyone except Adam. I like how she gave it like a country / folk vibe. She has a nice personal connection to the song and she chose Kelsea. 

Jadyn Cree is Bryan Olesen's daughter (he was a finalist two seasons ago), she sang Into You by Paramore-- Michael and Kelsea turned and she picked Michael. I like Jadyn's voice, she has a Hayley Williams and Amy Lee vibe to her. I would love to see her do some rock songs, and I think she can go far in the competition. 

Skip.... Darius J sang Caught Up by Usher, he choice team Adam. 

Skip.... Angie Rey sang Penthouse by Kelsea Ballerini, only Kelsea turned. 

Skip.... Carlos Santiago sang Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx, Adam and Michael turned and Carlos chose Team Buble. 

Skip....  Dan Kiernan sang High Hopes by Panic at the Disco, John and Michael turned and Kelsea used  her coach's replay, and Dan chose Kelsea. 

Ethan Eckenroad sang Northern Attitude by Noah Kahan-- Adam said it would be a tragedy if you weren't on my team. This was a four chair turn that was a deserved four chair turn. John loved his poise and soulfulness. Michael called him "good music". Ethan chose Adam! 

Same thing with Week 2 of Blinds... I am going to skip performances that were underwhelming to me. 

Skip.... Tatum Scott sang Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo-- I wasn't crazy about the way she changed up the song. Kelsea and John turned and Tatum picked Kelsea. 

Bryson Battle sang A Song For You by Donny Hathaway-- He's only 21! Kelsea said you were just singing from your soul. This was a well deserved four chair turn. Michael loved his voice and said he sings that song, and wishes he could sing it like him. Adam said it's incredible what you do. Adam said it will be about song selection. John said I was the first to turn. He said that he made the song feel new, fresh, and exciting. Bryson chose Team Legend. 

Skip.... Jordan Allen sang Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seeger-- John and Michel turned and Jordan chose John. 

Hayden Grove sang Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin-- Hayden has such a great voice. I loved the technical lesson that Michael gave showing how the standards singers don't use vibrato in their voices. I am so happy Adam turned and that Michael is offering to help them. 

Jaelen Johnston sang Where the Wild Things Are by Luke Combs-- Great voice, he reminds me of like Kane Brown. I was hoping that Adam would turn and he would choose Adam or even Michael because those pairings are unexpected and I think they could help him. Both of them turned, but Kelsea did too, and unsurprisingly he went with Kelsea. 

Ricardo Moreno sang Put Your Head on My Shoulder by Paul Anka-- I appreciated Ricardo's musicality and the fact that he sang a "standard". The coaches discussed quite a bit, but no one turned. Michael used his coach's replay on Ricardo. 

Ari Camille sang I Wanna Be Down by Brandy-- jury is out on her, I almost skipped, she might end up being interesting, we'll have to see. John and Michael turned. Of course she chose John. 

Braxton Garza sang Pretty Little Poison by Warren Zeiders-- Absolutely love his sound! He has that country rocker vibe which the coaches clearly recognized. Kelsea told Adam and Michael not to turn but then took her time turning so Michael blocked her. Braxton is on Team Buble. 

Britton Moore sang Yellow by Coldplay-- Wow he is good, well deserved four chair turn, not many of those, but this one, well deserved. Adam turned first and was the only one who did not pull any gimmicks. Britton chose him, and with good reason, this is a match made in heaven. 

The ones I featured videos for are the ones I feel confident about in terms of their success on the show.