The Voice Season 12: I'd Go Up to the Mountain to Hear these Knockouts

Team Alicia: Anatalia Villaranda singing Two Black Cadillacs vs. Dawson Coyle singing Demons by Imagine Dragons-- Loved both performances. Anatalia's vocal was powerful. her stage presence is a bit much but that can be toned down. Dawson had a real sincerity to his performance.

Alicia chose Anatalia 

Team Blake: Enid Ortiz singing When We Were Young by Adele vs. T Soul singing These Arms of Mine by Otis Redding-- Both vocals were impressive. Enid always seems to take performances to the next level, and this was so exception. There was something about T Soul's performance though. It was so throwback, and he really stayed in that whole mindset throughout the performance. The vocal really moved me. Alicia loved T Soul's long notes and was impressed with Enid. Gwen loved T Soul's retro quality. Adam said he would choose T Soul. 

Blake chose T Soul 

T Soul

Team Gwen: Aaliyah Rose singing Like I'm Gonna Lose You by Meaghan Trainor and John Legend vs. Brennley Brown singing Up to the Mountain by Kelly Clarkson-- Aaliyah's performance was fun and certainly beyond her 14 years, but Brennley at 15 years of age moved me. Her performance was so genuine and emotional and it got me in my heart. Adam said Brennley gave a Grammy performance. Blake is sorry he let Brennley go. Alicia liked and felt where Aaliyah was coming from but she felt Brennley's performance was impactful. 

Gwen chose Brennley and Blake stole Aaliyah 

Brennley Brown

Wow, keep your eye on T Soul and Brennley!

The Voice Season 12: These Battles Are Hard to Handle

Team Blake: Josh Hoyer versus T Soul singing In The Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett-- It was okay, but I did not love the song choice. This season in general, the battle round song choices have been awful. Blake said he has to make a tough decision based on his gut feeling.
Blake chose T Soul

Team Alicia: Autumn Turner versus Vanessa Ferguson singing Killing Me Softly by Roberta Flack--  loved Autumn in this. Vanessa had the experience but Autumn has the heart. Gwen loved Autumn's powerful voice. Adam said Vanessa has experience but Autumn was a surprise in this and he said he would steal her. Both Adam and Gwen made a play to steal Autumn.
Alicia chose Vanessa, Autumn chose Adam

Team Adam: Johnny Hayes versus Julien Martinez singing Hard to Handle by Otis Redding-- Both were strong, but Johnny was more comfortable and in his element than Julien was. You can tell that the rock and roll style that comes from Johnny is authentic. Blake liked Johnny's rock voice, and felt like Julien shyed away. Gwen found Julien exciting and Johnny exuded experience.
Adam chose Johnny

Team Gwen: Caroline Sky versus Stephanie Rice singing The First Cut is the Deepest by Rod Stewart-- Caroline was my preference here in terms of growth and sheer vocal ability. I found Stephanie to be so passionate that her vocal was not as controlled. Adam said there's more to learn about Caroline and that's why he'd go with her. Blake said Stephanie has a clearer vision and he'd go with her. Alicia said artistically she's interested in Stephanie but vocally Caroline took this battle.
Gwen chose Stephanie and Blake stole Caroline

Team Adam: Kawan DuBove versus Malik Davage singing Love You Now by John Legend-- For the first time ever on the Voice a duo really got read the riot act in terms of their inability to collaborate. For what it's worth, I felt like Malik worked really hard. There was an effort and urgency there. Blake liked Kawan's falsetto and would give it to him. Gwen said Malik was fiery and had a sense of urgency. Adam said he loves Malik's attitude.
Adam chose Malik

Team Blake: Enid Ortiz versus Valerie Ponzio singing Love Triangle by Rae Lynn, Blake chose Enid
Team Adam: Hannah Eyre versus Sheena Brook singing Try by Pink, Adam chose Hannah
Team Gwen: Jozy Bernadette verus Troy Ramey singing Angel Eyes by Jeff Healy, Gwen chose Troy

Team Alicia: Hunter Plake versus Jack Cassidy singing Dancing on My Own by Robyn-- I loved both of these guys, this battle and this song choice was a dream. Gwen loved the tenderness of Jack's voice and told Hunter that he has to make a record. Adam started out being a big Jack fan but thought Hunter took the battle. Blake said he kept going back and forth and hoped whoever didn't get chosen was stolen.
Alicia chose Jack, Adam and Gwen both made a play for Hunter and he ended up choosing Gwen

Keep an eye on Hunter and Jack, Malik, Hannah, and Autumn

The Voice Season 12: Hello It's The Blinds

Kenny P. sang Hello It's Me by Todd Rundgren-- Gwen and Blake turn. The performance was okay, but it wasn't necessarily the best song choice. I am also not crazy about his look but I suppose that can be changed. Blake likes the power in his voice, and Gwen sees him as somewhat theatrical.
Kenny chose Gwen

Enid Ortiz sang All I Ask by Adele-- Enid has a really pretty voice, her low register is particularly strong, but she has a good balance and strong dynamic. When she hit the big note, she was great. Gwen wanted to turn but hesitated, and at the last moment, Blake pushed and turned. Enid said Alicia is her spirit animal and Alicia gave her a great pep talk
Blake chose Enid

RJ Collins sang Purpose by Justin Bieber-- I actually had never heard this song, and I loved it. Adam turned almost immediately. Clearly he heard that sincerity in RJ's voice. Not one else turned until he hit the chorus and then Alicia turned. Of course he is going to choose Alicia but Adam would have been an interesting choice for him. Adam believes he could win The Voice. Alicia calls him a beautiful black man and tells him his soul comes through his music.
RJ chose Alicia


Austin Tyler Jones sang Allison by Elvis Costello-- No turns

T Soul sang Take Me to the River by Al Green-- I liked this performance because he was very soulful and did his own interpretation of this song. I know it's been done many times, but I have never heard it like this. Adam and Blake made this a duel between two original Voice coaches. Adam said the way he does it is so unique, and he definitely needs him on his team, and asks him to come home. Alicia made a pitch for Adam saying Adam would get behind him fully. Blake said his voice has all the herbs and spices, and he loves his speaking voice, it's manly. I guess this was the winning pitch cause...
T Soul chose Blake

Andrea Thomas sang Baby Now that I Found You by Allison Krauss-- Former backup singer for Carrie Underwood.Blake was the only one who turned.
Blake chose Andrea

Davina Leone sang Cheap Thrills by Sia-You Tube success,
Gwen chose Davina

Hannah Eyre sang Blank Space by Taylor Swift-- I absolutely live for Hannah's interpretation of this song. It's sweet yet mature. She is beyond poised for a 15 year old. Adam turns first and actually motions for her to calm down cause she is smiling so hard after he turned. Adam calls her sweet Hannah and he said the back end of the song is where she was doing her best. He said he is going to claw and fight. Adam said Blake will bring up Danielle Bradbery. Gwen said she is looking for someone just like Hannah. Blake said her approach is unlike anything he has heard. She has talent, charisma, and her smile makes the room light up. Blake said you're the kind of artist that gets me excited about doing my job as a coach.
Hannah chose Adam

Casey Jamerson chose Shadows of the Night by Pat Benatar-- This was a bit of a mess, no turns

Hunter Plake sang Carry On by fun-- A bit of a strange song choice I felt like. Gwen and Alicia turn to battle it out for Hunter. Alicia likes his unique tone and doesn't have anyone else like him on her team. Gwen says she relates to Hunter.
Hunter chose Alicia

Nala Price sang Send My Love (To Your New Lover) by Adele-- Again, another young person, at only 17, Nala's interpretation of this song is beyond her years. Adam turns right near the beginning followed by Gwen. There were some wobbly points in the performance in terms of pitch but I feel like Nala could easily grow.
Nala chose Adam

Sammie Zonana sang Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande--  This is an instance where someone changing a song and interpreting it in a different way didn't work. The interpretation really took away the song's seductiveness and femininity. The tone of her voice didn't work with the song in the way that it was way too husky, almost masculine sounding. Gwen was the only one to turn. Alicia commented on the huskiness of her voice. Adam said it was going to turn, but something threw him off.
Gwen chose Sammie

Valerie Ponzio sang Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash-- 4 chair turn! Well deserved! She has a unique tone and rasp in her voice. Her style is almost like country rock. Adam said he heard every single coach in her performance. Gwen said she is actually obsessed with her and would love to work with her. Alicia said I would love to bring out all that jazz and blues influence that inspires you. Blake said when you say country Americana, that is where I can help you. All the coaches teamed up and tried to get Valerie not to pick Blake, but ,,,,,
Valerie chose Blake

My picks to watch this season:

T Soul, Hannah Eyre, and Valerie Ponzio