The Voice Season 16: The Cross Battles Begin for the First Time!

Cross Battles--

Team Blake: Kim Cherry singing Poison by Bel Biv Devoe vs. Team Kelly: Betsy Ade singing You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette-- That was amazing. Both ladies rocked it, I loved the song choices. That's a tough decision, I was not a huge Betsy fan prior to this, but that was a great performance. Blake said Kim brings something so different to this show, we have never had anyone like her before. Kelly said Betsy was captivating. Adam said if he had to choose he would go with Betsy. John said he sees a steal in the future because both ladies were amazing.

My pick: Kim

Team Adam: Mari singing My My My by Troye Sivan vs. Team Blake: Selkii singing Torn by Natalie Imbruglia-- I have to give the edge to Mari. I found Selkii's performance a little bit boring. I like Selkii more than I liked that performance. John thought Mari came off more stylish and her confidence came off better. Kelly said I know what I'm getting with Mari, but Selkii there is something intriguing about you. 

My pick: Mari

Team Legend: Lisa Ramey singing It Hurt So Bad by Susan Tedeschi  vs. Team Kelly: Karen Galera singing Unfaithful by Rihanna-- John said he is so proud Lisa is on his team. Your stage presence was incredible and your voice is strong. Kelly said Karen my favorite part about you is your tone. Adam said Lisa this was your best performance. Blake said you both did a great job, I have to second Adam. Lisa you have been a survivor. I did love Karen's tone, I think it was untouchable. That being said, something about that performance fell flat. She never really connected with the song.

My pick: Lisa technically, Karen emotionally


Team Kelly: Matthew Johnson singing Who's Loving You by The Jackson 5 vs. Team Adam: Domenic Haynes singing Damn Your Eyes by Etta James-- I love both of these artists. Matthew's personality sells his performances but this was not a good song choice for him. Domenic's performance was impassioned. Etta James is always classic, but he made this his own. He convinced me. Kelly talked about how strong a vocalist Matthew is. Adam said Domenic you are one of the most honest, raw, passionate singers we have ever seen. John said Domenic your tone, and your voice is so emotionally pure. Matthew, you have more range.

My pick: both need to move forward, but Domenic won this!


Team Kelly: Presley Tennant singing Love on the Brain by Rihanna vs. Team Legend: Kayslin Victoria singing Stay by Alessia Cara-- I loved both of these girls! Vocally, they are both powerhouses! Blake said you two being so young, I can already hear such a big difference. You  have already both grown so much.

My pick: Both could go forward, vocally Presley, total package Kayslin

Team Adam: Celia Babini singing A Thousand Years by Christina Perry vs. Team Blake: Oliv Blu singing Gravity by John Mayer-- Both ladies were great, but Olive is clearly more connected with the song. Celia seemed distracted tonight.

My pick: Oliv

Team Blake: Dexter Roberts singing Believe by Brooks and Dunn vs. Team Adam: Andrew Jannako singing Yours by Russell Dickerson-- Blake said that was tough. I am not gonna lie, you brought it. Blake said Dexter that song is sacred and you were pitch perfect. Kelly said Andrew, I don't even know if you know who you are. Kelly said you represent new country Andrew, and Dexter you represent old country. John said I preferred Andrew this time, you gave a better performance this time around.

Team Legend: Maelyn Jarmon singing Mad World Gary Jules by vs. Team Adam: Rod Stokes singing How Am I Supposed to Live Without You by Michael Bolton-- Two amazing performances-- Rod has a HUGE voice. He is a classic singer. Maelyn is so emotionally connected to whatever she is performing. John said Maelyn has great control of her instrument. Adam said that story tonight is Rod Stokes, you shocked your old coach! You stepped it up tonight.

My pick: Rod

The Voice Season 16: Location-- The Battles

Team Adam: Andrew Jannako vs. Patrick McAloon sang Free Fallin' by Tom Petty-- John was shocked that both of them could sing so high. He likes Patrick's voice because it has so much character. Adam said Patrick you're seasoned. Andrew, you were a revelation. You both stepped up and impressed me today. I think what Andrew did was so surprising that who knows where he could go. The potential is endless.
Adam chose Andrew

Team Blake: Selkii vs. Cecily Hennigan sang Head Above Water by Avril Lavigne-- Cecily is a talent but Selkii is ready right now! She is a star. Blake agreed, he had to go with the experience.
Blake chose Selkii

Team Blake: LiLi Joy vs. Carter Lloyd Horne-- Blake chose Carter
Team Kelly: Karen Galera vs. Alena D'Amico-- Kelly chose Karen

Team John: Kayslin Victoria vs. Olive Blue sang Location by Khalid-- Battle of the night! Both of these ladies are undeniably talented. Kayslin is beyond her years, her style was incredible. Olive reminds me so much of Erykah Badu, she is so grounded and earthy. Kelly said Olive the style was there, but Kayslin you have a gigantic voice.
John chose Kayslin and Blake stole Olive

The Voice Season 16: Night 1 Blinds Have My Attention

Gyth Rigdon sang Drift Away by Dobie Gray-- John got blocked immediately. He, Blake, and Kelly turned. John turned around because he gave so much energy and his voice sounded so clear. Kelly asked if he wants to do country, and he said that country is his roots but he has a lot of soul as well. Blake blocked John.
Gyth chose Blake

Maelyn Jarmon sang Fields of Gold by Sting-- 4 chair turn! Interesting rendition of the song, and she reminds me so much of Paula Cole! Blake said he was moved to hear Maelyn sing. Kelly connected with her and said she has such a God given gift, and she did that song in such a special way. John said what she did was magic, we don't have to think about it, we just feel it. Adam said you kinda have it all, you voice is seasoned but vulnerable.
Maelyn chose John

Karen Galera sang Mi Corazoncito by Aventura-- She has a beautiful sound, very similar to Selena. Kelly turned immediately, and then John turned. Kelly said don't let the Texas thing sway you in any way because Karen is also from Texas. Kelly said I long for people like you; you're so special.
Karen chose Kelly

Trey Rose sang Wake Me Up by Avicii-- Trey said he is originally from Oklahoma. I will say, that Avicii song is wicked hard to sing, and he made it seem easy. For that, he is as Adam said, a vocal beast. Adam and Blake turned. Adam said I can tell you are very energetic, and I think you could win this thing. Blake said I am glad that Adam recognizes that we could win this thing.
Adam chose Trey

Kim Cherry sang No Scrubs by TLC-- I love Kim's attitude, she has so much sass when she sings. When she started rapping I loved it even more. Omg! Kelly turned and Blake got in at the last minute. Adam said, thank you for doing that. John was like, she's white! Kelly said you have pitch, tone, and you're amazing. Blake said Kim, what the hell are you thinking? You're fearless. Rapping is my thing. Blake said we're gonna tweet, and Hoda and Kathie Lee are gonna talk about it.
Kim chose Blake

AJ Ryan sang Love Runs Out by OneRepublic-- No one turned! John said the high notes were great but the low ones scared them. He said it's about choosing the right song. AJ said I should have sang one of your songs John. John said which one would you sing, sing some for us. AJ sang some of All of Me.

Rizzi Myers sang Breathin' by Ariana Grande-- Rizzi's voice is effervescent. She is strong but breathy. I absolutely love her voice, it's stunning. Her story is that she is from Nashville, has two kids, and was a song writer for a long time. A producer urged her to get onstage. Kelly and John turned, and Kelly blocked John. Rizzi is a HUGE Kelly Clarkson fan.
Rizzi chose Kelly

Lisa Ramey sang Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon-- Lisa returned from two seasons ago. I still wasn't feeling it. She seemed to be performing rather than connecting with the song. John Legend was the lone chair turner. Kelly and Adam praised Lisa for returning and said she deserves to be on the show. John said he loved her personality and her look and said that they totally match her voice.
John chose Lisa

Jimmy Mowery sang Attention by Charlie Puth-- I loved his voice! Fire! He has an awesome voice when he sings full, I think he was just nervous, and that made him pitchy at times. Adam turned almost immediately. John turned towards the end. Adam said your voice at its best can be one of the best in the competition. Blake said John is right, your voice is so dope. John said he needed the head voice because that is what sells the song.
Jimmy chose Adam

Lil Joy sang Cool by Gwen Stefani-- Lil has a beautiful voice. Kelly is right, her talent is similar to Gwen's in that she is really good at making these intimate moments on a stage. Kelly was trying to tell Blake that it was Gwen's song Lil was singing, but he already knew. Blake said I hit my button cause of your voice. I can't wait for Gwen to hear this, she is gonna flip out.
Blake chose Lil

Nathan and Chesi sang Waymore's Blues by Waylon Jennings-- The coaches all look like they want to turn at one point or another. I think they are really good together. I am actually surprised that no one turned but I hope that they get chosen for the comeback stage.

Matthew Johnson sang I Smile by Kirk Franklin-- 4 chair turn! I think everyone was immediately drawn to Matthew's personality. His voice was big and full. John said I grew up in the church. Adam threw a sneaker up on stage as an ode to J. Hud. Adam said everyone felt that. Blake said I would be a great coach and I would be honored. Kelly said I am a fan and that was so joyful.
Matthew chose John

Who to watch-- my predictions--
Rizzi is naturally talented, Jimmy has amazing potential.