The Voice Season 25: The Knockouts Offer Some Interesting Pairings

Team Chance: Maddi Jane sang New Rules by Dua Lipa versus Kamalei Kawa sang All of Me by John Legend-- Dan and Shay said that this was two very different performances in the best kind of way. I agree, Maddi's performance was rhythmic and catchy. Kamalei offered an emotional performance and you could tell he was really feeling the song. John is often critical of people singing his song but said that he was really into Kamalei's version and reminded them that he still has a steal. Reba said Chance is on his own with this choice because she thought both of them were good. I think even though I am a Maddi fan, the stronger performance here was Kamalei. Chance chose Maddi, and Kamalei was stolen by Reba and John and picked John. 

Team Legend: Gene Taylor sang I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith versus Mafe sang Almost is Never Enough by Ariana Grande-- Gene is technically such a sound artist but this is a tough song to sing. Dan and Shay talked about what a great singer Gene is from a technical standpoint. Chance said Mafe did not sound like Mafe, she sounded like herself. Something I notice about Mafe is that she has great vocal control. I love how she sounds and her confidence really exudes. John chose Mafe. 

Team Dan and Shay: Karen Waldrup sang Georgia Rain by Trisha Yearwood versus Ducote Talmage-- Both of these artists have experienced some growth but I think I would need to lean towards Ducote. John continues to like Ducote's rasp, and he thought Karen's performance was beautiful. Reba loves the texture in Ducote's voice; Reba loved Karen's performance. Chance said that was Ducote's best performance to date; he thought Karen sounded like Celine Dion. Dan and Shay chose Karen to move forward. 

Team Reba: Justin and Jeremy Garcia sang You Are the Reason by Calum Scott versus Zeya Rae sang River by Bishop Briggs-- I think I would need to go with Justin and Jeremy. Chance said Zeya lacked confidence at points. John connected more with Zeya. Reba thought Justin and Jeremy did a wonderful job. She picked the brothers because she wanted something different on her team. Reba chose Justin and Jeremy.

Team Chance: Alyssa Crosby sang I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues by Elton John versus Rletto  sang Stay by Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber-- Loved Alyssa, this song was not the best pick for me, but I loved her. I think she is such a grounded artist. Rletto was so good. He literally took an upbeat song and turned it into a slow jam. It sounded like a brand new song but at the same time, Kid Laroi and Justin would love it. Dan said one of the best knockout performances of the day by you Alyssa; Rletto always bringing the heat with that arrangement. Shay said I believed every word you said. Reba said she was proud of Alyssa and would go with her because of her growth. Chance said Rletto you showed a mastery of the song. Alyssa you did great from top to bottom. Chance chose Rletto. 

Team Legend: Zoe Levert sang Cowboy Take Me Away by The Dixie Chicks versus Jackie Romeo sang Love on the Brain by Rihanna-- Both of them sounded amazing. I think I would need to go with Zoe, what she channeled was amazing. Chance said Zoe you are going to be a star, Jackie you sang the mess out of that song. Dan said Jackie you have a powerful voice and such control. Dan said Zoe you nailed your range, you remind me of Taylor Swift, you're unapologetically yourself. John said Jackie, you embraced the energy of the song, it was in control the way you handled the dynamics. Zoe, we're continuing to see you grow and you're an underdog that keeps rising to the occasion. John chose Zoe, and Reba stole Jackie. 

My recap: Kamalei is coming up in this competition, Mafe is holding strong, RLETTO is a star, and Zoe is turning into a star. 

The Voice Season 25: The Battles Continue and We're "Lucky"

Team Reba: Donny Van Slee versus Josh Sanders sang When it Rains it Pours by Luke Combs-- I thinnk they're both great, personally I have been a Donny fan since day one, but Josh is likable as well. Chance says Donny is a star and he compliments Josh's runs. He says she can't lose with either. Dan and Shay liked their energy but say that Josh has better control over his vocals. John felt Josh's performance was well executed. Reba bonded with them both and doesn't want to make a decision. 
Reba chose Josh

Team Legend: Ronnie Wilson versus Gene Taylor sang When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars-- This was actually what seemed to be such an odd pairing to me, but these two turned in an amazing performance. Ronnie impressed me because he kept up with Gene who was fierce. Gene has incredible intuition. Reba loved both their tones and thought they were crazy on the high notes. Chance says that they have cool individual voices that mesh well together. Dan and Shay said some of Gene's high notes weren't legal. John thought the performance was honest, authentic, and full of heart. 

Team Dan and Shay: Kyle Schuesler versus Madison Curbelo sang Lucky by Jason Mraz-- I found the song a little boring, but I love the artistry of both Kyle and Madison. They are both amazing and I hope both of them stay in the competition. John reminded them that he turned for both of them and that he loved their beautiful performance. He'd lean towards Madison. Reba said she absolutely loved it and that the performance touched her heart. She loved Madison but preferred Kyle's tone and would go with him. Chance suggested that Dan and Shay should use their Playoff Pass. Chance said that they can both win the show. Dan believed that they both deserve to win the show. 

Team Chance: Serenity Arce versus Bri Fletcher sang Someone to Love by Lewis Capaldi-- Both of these ladies are great singers. I would give the edge to Serenity because to be that young and that talented is crazy. Shay said Serenity I believed every word, emotional and raw. He said Bri sometimes was trying to be so perfect that she felt outside of the song. Dan complimented their friendship. John said I love when I see artists collaborate together, thank you for embracing that. Bri you have a lot of range, Serenity you're very compelling, I'd pick Serenity. Reba picked up on the emotion. Serenity you channelled that into a great performance. Reba would pick Bri. Chance said Serenity you have a specific tone, you're poised and polished. Bri you're such a strong singer and you have great control. This is a tough decision.  Chance chose Serenity. 

Montaged: 

Team Chance: Dani Stacey versus Corey Curtis, Chance chose Dani 

Team Dan and Shay: Ryan Coleman versus Ducote Talmage sang Rock and a Hard Place by Bailey Zimmerman-- I genuinely enjoyed both of them. I loved the energy that Ducote brought and I think that he was more confident than Ryan. Ryan had the better control and I loved the sense of fight he brought to the battle. John loves the scratch in Ducote's voice, he loved Ryan's interaction. He'd lean towards Ducote. Reba said you guys sounded great together. She'd go with Ducote. Chance said Ryan really wanted it, you had great control. You helped Ducote. If it was my choice, I'd go Ryan. Dan and Shay talked before they made a decision and they went with Ducote. 

Team Legend: Olivia Rubini versus Jackie Romeo sang Edge of Seventeen by Fleetwood Mac-- They both have awesome voices, quite underrated. I love Jackie's tone. Olivia has such an edge to her voice. I loved the dynamics that Olivia brought to the performance. Reba said way to go, I love that song. Reba said I don't know who to choose. Chance said Jackie you have a fuller voice, Olivia, you can belt. I'd give the edge to Jackie. Dan and Shay said that was one of the most together battle rounds. John said Olivia you have a softer approach whereas Jackie your voice cuts through. John chose Jackie. Dan and Shay stole Olivia. 

Great performances, I cannot wait to pick my top 10! 

The Voice Season 25: Week 1, The Blinds Made Me Look

Premiere Night, Episode 1:

Dani Stacey sang I Will Survivor by Gloria Gaynor-- 4 Chair Turn! She deserves it, I love her smoky voice, and her whole fresh new take on a disco classic. She has a unique rock/ folk sound to her voice. She reminded me of like Jewel. The coaches were all standing at the end. Chance used his block on Reba. Reba is disappointed she was blocked because she loved Dani's performance. Dan and Shay love that she knows who she is. Chance called the performance amazing and said he was hyped at the possibility of working with her. Dani went with Team Chance. 

Justin and Jeremy Garcia sang The Story of my Life by One Direction-- Chance, Reba, and Dan and Shay turned around. I need to agree with John on this one. It could have been tighter. I liked it but I would not have turned. I will say, It was commendable that they lost their way and then found their way back. Chance commended them for that. Reba was moved by their humility and they took her back to her childhood. Dan and Shay said they are the perfect team for Justin and Jeremy because they're a duo too. 

Tae Lewis sang Somebody Like You by Keith Urban-- This performance was amazing. I loved the soul and passion that Tae brought to the song. John turned almost immediately. Reba turned right after he did this amazing run. John called Tae's voice electric, Reba said, like John, Wikipedia says she is a "legend" too. Tae ended up choosing Reba. 

Ryan Argast sang Speechless by Dan and Shay-- I L O V E this Dan and Shay song, it's a fave of mine. I loved the texture and gravel in Ryan's voice. Dan and Shay have a chat and decide to turn for Ryan, and they are the only ones who do. They also join him on stage for a chorus of Speechless. 

Nadege sang Get You by Daniel Caesar-- She has such a different style and tone. John and Chance both turned. John loved how stylish her musical choices are. Her name means hope in French. She said her first song she performed was Ordinary People so John got on stage and sang with her. Dan and Shay both said that they cannot imagine Nadege on anyone else's team but John's. Reba said Nadege is going to have a great time with either renegade she chooses. She chose Chance. 

Josh Sanders sang Whiskey on You by Nate Smith-- I am a fan of Nate Smith and I love this song and I loved how Josh held out those notes and there was a lot of power behind them. Dan and Shay said that's a tough song to sing and Nate is our guy. Reba says she loved his vocal and power. Josh said he sings in church. Josh chose Reba. 

OK 3 sang Made You Look by Meghan Trainor-- These girls are awesome! They met through their vocal coach. I loved, not only their voices, but their performance! They are a well deserved four chair turn. John says it felt like a mini concert. John says he used to arrange music for groups and he feels their is a space for a girl group. Dan and Shay say that they are in a group so they relate. Chance says he has had success with a group before. Reba says she loved the harmonies. OK 3 chooses Team Legend. 

Episode 2: 

Nathan Chester sang Take Me to The River by Al Green-- This is one of my fave types of performances. Nathan sounded so throwback to me, he sounded like The Temptations. There was so much gospel influence. I loved the growl in his voice. John turned and then Dan and Shay turned. Chance said he thought Nathan's voice was great but he didn't turn because he had a vision of Nathan being on John's team. John said I turned quickly because I am selective and you've got it. John said having Nathan from Chi Town on my team will be the perfect match. Dan and Shay said John is a beautiful man but we'd love to have you on our team, you're a star. Nathan chose John. 

Maddi Jane sang Escapism by Raye-- Maddi is interesting! I enjoyed her versatility, she was switching between rapping and singing. John, Dan and Shay, and Reba turned quickly, and then Chance turned at the end. Maddi said she is from Chicago and John said he feels at a disadvantage. He said that was so fun to listen to, you're a star, you have such confidence and stage presence. Dan and Shay said she was incredible and worked the stage. Chance said come get on team Chance and she said you're gonna need to do more than that. He said you deserve more than that. He critiqued her breath control, but he said she's a star. Reba said she was surprised to hear her singing voice after hearing her rap. 

Donny Van Slee sang Greatest Love Story by LANCO-- I absolutely LOVED his voice and this song choice for him. This was legit amazing. John says he loved his raspy tone. Donny said he is a big Chance fan and John commented that Chance may have had a chance had he turned. Reba blocked Dan and Shay so since they were the only coaches who turned Donny joined Team Reba. 

Karen Waldrup sang Bye Bye by Jo Dee Messina-- Dan and Shay turned and then they blocked Reba who was the only other chair to turn. I have to be honest and say I was not crazy about this performance, Karen joined Team Dan and Shay. 

Gabriel Goes sang What I Got by Sublime-- Gabriel is a character. He has a unique voice and tone. I enjoyed his spirit. Chance was the only one who turned so he joined Team Chance. I could see him being a dark horse in this competition. 

Gene Taylor sang Lights by Journey-- What an amazing vocalist and artist; this was an incredible performance. John turned first early on, followed by Dan and Shay, Reba, and then Chance. These four chair turn contestants are incredible. John said you had so much finesse and that was so expertly done. John said you and I working together could go far. Dan and Shay said you have so much power and control, you're such a pro. Chance said I was last to turn because I was so invested, your town is so different. Reba said you were working the crowd. Gene chose John.