The Voice Season 6: It's the Battles Part 2

From Team Blake: Megan Ruger vs. Audra McLaughlin sang The Climb by Miley Cyrus-- I thought Megan held back in this performance. For me, Audra had the stronger voice and her voice really soared through the runs and higher notes.
Blake chose Audra

From Team Usher: Cierra Mickens vs. TJ Wilkins sang Get Here by Oleta Adams-- Beautiful vocals from both of them. I wish they treated like this like more of a duet at the beginning because their voices blended well, and it's a shame that at the start it seemed like they were giving separate performances. I think Cierra would have the edge for me because her tone was flawless. TJ kept up with her though. Adam said Cierra had great control. Shakira bowed to both of them. Blake thought Cierra's performance was perfect; he said TJ's voice cuts through everything.
Usher chose TJ

From Team Blake: Jake Worthington vs. Tess Boyer sang Have a Little Faith in Me by John Hiatt-- Wowza! I am loving both of them and their strong, emotion filled vocals. I like the life that they breathed into this, and again, the male and female pairing just blends the voices so well. I would honestly go with either one of them. Usher was impressed with both of them. Shakira called Tess a revelation and said her voice was powerful, beautiful, and sweet. Adam said that was an "A" level performance, and there were so many signs of improvement. Blake congratulated both of them.
Blake chose Jake, and all the remaining coaches tried to steal Tess and Shakira won

From Team Adam: Christina Grimmie vs. Sam Behymer sang Counting Stars by One Republic-- I don't think this song choice did them any favors. Neither one of them seemed to be vocally in the pocket so to speak. I liked the distinct quality of Christina's voice more than Sam's. At times, Sam was a little bit off pitch. Blake said Christina was a little ball of fire and he said Sam was full of finesse. Shakira feels like Sam is still searching for her style whereas Christina has more maturity and confidence.
Adam chose Christina

From Team Shakira: Patrick Thomson vs. Josh Murley sang Run to You by Bryan Adams-- Good song choice, the song set in that comfy part of both of their voices. I liked both, I don't have a preference; I think both of them have good rock voices. Blake said he would probably go with Patrick whereas Adam would go with ex Team Adam member Josh. Usher didn't know who to choose.  Shakira felt this was an evenly matched battle.
Shakira chose Patrick

From Team Adam: Delvin Choice vs. Josh Kaufman sang Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder-- This was not only the best battle I have ever heard on The Voice but it is probably one of the best vocals I have ever heard on any singing competition on television. Delvin and Josh threw down with abandon, and for them this wasn't about competing with each other, it was about doing the best vocal possible, and making it a performance at the same time. This song brought out everything in their voices, it was butter in certain places and brought out the smoothness in their voices. At the same time, it also brought out the grit. Both of them deserve to move on, just based on the fact that they are a cut above the other competitors. All the coaches were standing at the end of the performance. Adam said he quits and that was a flawless performance and they made it impossible for him to choose. He said either decision he makes, he loses a potential winner.
Adam chose Delvin and Usher stole Josh (Usher, props for not making Josh wait for the steal, you jumped on that!)

The Voice Season Six: The Second Weeks of Battles Roll On

Team Adam: Austin Ellis vs. Josh Kaufman sang Happy By Pharrell-- Both of these guys brought their "a" game. They were so tight vocally and their charm was able to win over the entire audience, and they had a camaraderie that was obvious on stage. Blake thought there was so much energy on stage. He felt Adam was solid, and he couldn't keep up with Josh. Usher said he would give it to Josh but says Austin has talent. Shakira called it one of the best battles, and thought they were both great singers and won over the audience. Adam said he was proud of both of them and they are equally good singers.
Who should win? Josh but Austin should get a steal
Adam chose Josh
(Usher why didn't you steal Austin?)

Team Blake: Alaska & Madi vs. Audra McLaughlin sang When Will I Be Loved by Linda Ronstadt-- Audra was cracking a lot in the higher notes and in the breaks; it was a little wobbly. I enjoyed the harmonies of the duo and I would choose them. Adam said he was upset cause he had to watch that performance and he has no steal left. He said he would have picked whoever didn't get picked. Usher and Shakira both seemed indifferent, and foolishly didn't use their steal. Adam told Usher he was a fool for not picking them. He said he would have picked Audra had Blake not picked her (whatevs, you wouldn't have).
Who should win? Alaska & Madi
Blake chose Audra

Team Shakira: Deja Hall vs. Music Box sang Eternal Flame by The Bangles-- Overall, I didn't think this song suited these ladies, but I would tend to go with Deja because she is so young and therefore has so much potential. Adam felt similarly. Blake said Deja has power but Music Box stands out and has a different sound than most. Usher said Deja is far beyond her age in voice, and said both of them will go far. Shakira called Music Box's tone, but felt she needed to focus on being vulnerable. She said Deja displayed power.
Who should win? Deja
Shakira chose Deja.... Usher stole Music Box (really Usher?, the steals have been kind of weird this season)

Team Usher: Madilyn Paige vs. Tanner James sang Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift-- I liked both of them, they were so good. They were believable, I believed that they were in love during that performance. It was also pure and innocent not only in portrayal but in voice. Adam said it was cute overload and it was so romantic, sweet, and sincere. Blake found both of them adorable. Usher called Tanner a heartthrob, and he felt Madilyn arrived. You supported each other but took the liberty to go outside your comfort zones and you let your personalities come out.
Who should win? I can't choose I genuinely liked both of them.
Usher chose Madilyn

Team Adam: Dawn & Hawkes vs. Josh Murley sang Stuck in the Middle with You by Steelers Wheel-- I loved it, it sounded like they were having a jam session. It was cool, but it was tough to hear each of them as individuals, I would find it difficult to choose someone. Usher was glued to the performance, so much so that he was waiting for their individuality to come out. Shakira said this group made her feel like having a beer. She called it a feel good performance.
Who should win? Unsure, but I loved Dawn & Hawkes' blind audition so much, everything they do seems magical.
Adam chose Dawn & Hawkes.... at the very last second as Josh was walking out Shakira stole him

Team Usher: Bria Kelly vs. Tess Boyer sang Take Another Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin-- This was a strong battle from both of these ladies. I knew that Bria was going to pull through but to have Tess rise to the occasion was amazing. Tess deserves to get a steal. Adam said he is terrified of Team Usher because of Bria, she was his big loss. He did say that he wasn't a fan of Tess before but he is now. Blake felt that Tess took this battle. Usher said something special happened with Tess tonight.
Who should win? Bria
Usher chose Bria, and Blake stole Tess

Cannot wait until the last night of Battles tomorrow! Until then........

The Voice Blind Auditions Season Six: Night Five

Kat Perkins sang Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac-- Kat has an awesome rock voice; I love the raw talent of someone like her. Adam and Shakira turned and then Usher a little later in the game. Usher called her a country singer. Were we listening to the same person Usher? Shakira said she wants her to be the architect of her own destiny. Adam said that last note at the end seared the entire audience. Kat said she chose Adam because he was so determined and confident in his pitch.
Kat chose Adam

Gabi Ramirez sang The A Team by Ed Sheeran-- I had a feeling when he was singing that she judges were not going to turn. Perhaps it was the song, but it just was not special enough. Shakira talked about the dynamics lacking.



Paula Deanda sang The Way by Arianna Grande-- Wow, I loved Paula Deanda, this is an amazing story because I remember when she first came out and I loved her single Walk Away. Adam called Blake a no brainer, lol. Blake made a great pitch, he said she's not afraid to try anything. Blake sees a victory in her future. Maybe it was because she's a Texas girl, but Paula went with Blake. I was surprised because she thought she was going to go with Shakira.
Paula chose Blake

Jake Barker sang When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars-- I didn't care for some of the vocal choices that he made. It was slightly weird because he was up high for the entire song. Usher turned first, then Adam and Shakira. Jake said that he has never performed on a stage before. Shakira liked the trills whereas Adam didn't care for them and felt he needed coaching. Usher said he would support what he wants to do (even if it's wrong?). Shakira said you can allow yourself to be vulnerable with me. Usher said do you want a mom or a mentor?
Jake chose Usher

Lightning Rounds....

Tess Boyer sang Wings by Lil Mix and she went to Team Usher
Josh Murley sang The Freshman by The Verve Pipe and he went to Team Adam
Austin Ellis Drift Away by Dobie Gray and he went to Team Adam
Cali Tucker (Tanya Tucker is her aunt) sang Black Velvet Alannah Myles and she went to Team Blake

Luke Cooper sang Radioactive by Imagine Dragons-- I liked all the small details that came out of his voice as he was singing. Oh wait, we're almost done and no one has turned around yet, what's going on? Wow, really, no one turned!

Ria Eaton sang Cups by Lulu and the Lampshades-- She really deserved for Shakira and Blake to turn around at the last minute. I loved that rasp in her voice, and I hope she goes far in this competition. Blake felt she sang better when she started to think no one was going to turn around. Shakira said she is like a pearl inside an oyster. Adam and Usher tried to get Ria to pick Shakira and even got the audience on her side, but she said she had to go with her heart and she picked Blake.
Ria chose Blake

Cierra Mickens sang Crazy by Knarls Barkley-- Loved her song choice and how her voice kept getting stronger and the dynamics were becoming more and more distinct. Shakira went up and congratulated her. Blake tried to say Usher turned too late. Adam was the only one who didn't turn. Cierra said she picked Shakira because of how genuine she was.
Cierra chose Shakira

Tyler Montgomery sang I Wish by Stevie Wonder-- No one turned around. Adam told Tyler to come back because his voice has an amazing tone to it. I agree. I think perhaps he needed to choose a different song.



Alaska & Madi sang Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars-- The girls were so in tune, the dynamics were right on. I like them a lot. Adam turned first and then Blake. Adam was confident in his pitch, but Blake talked about how they're from Oklahoma, and he compared them to the Pistol Annie's and said I'm married to one of them. Adam begged them to pick him, and they said despite the fact that they love Adam, they were going to have to choose Blake.
Alaska & Madi chose Blake

Ddendyl sang Stand By Me by Ben E. King-- She has an interesting tone for sure. Shakira turned early, she has a similar tone to Shakira. This is also a surprising song choice for her, but she's singing it so well. I like how she reinvented it, and it looks like she's on Team Shakira.
Ddendyl is on Team Shakira


People who didn't make it....
Theresa Payne sang Crazy in Love by Beyonce
Bryson Dunn sang I Wanna Dance With Somebody Whitney Houston
Unidentified sang Thunderdome by Tina Turner



Josh Kaufman sang One More Try by George Michael-- Amazing! I forgot how much I love George Michael. That performance was amazing, his vocals were ridiculous. I loved the feeling, loved the tone. Adam turned, then Blake, then Shakira, and lastly Usher. Usher feels soul music is at the base of all music. Adam said he has an extensive knowledge of music and commented about how quickly he turned around. Blake said those are the knee jerk reactions you can expect from him as a coach. Adam said that's passion. Shakira said people are at a stage now where they want the real thing not gimmicks and he is the real deal. He could pick anyone. After Josh picked Adam he commented that Josh could win the whole thing.
Josh chose Adam