The Voice Season 25: John and Dan and Shay Pick Their Playoff Teams

Team Legend: Nathan Chester sang Oh Darling! by The Beatles-- Reba says he had her at the beginning. Chance loved his choreography and tone. Dan and Shay said it was his best performance. John agreed and liked his conviction. Wow! Everyone was on their feet, for me, that was a masterclass performance. Nathan is a force to be reckoned with. He has so much passion and you can tell he really wants this. This performance was EVERYTHING!

Team Dan and Shay: Karen Waldrup sang Heart Like a Truck by Lainey Wilson-- Reba said she wanted Karen on her team. Chance loves how she interacts with the crowd and her confidence. Dan and Shay are proud of how she has progressed. There is no denying Karen's voice. I think she has experienced more growth than the majority of the contestants on the show this season. 

Team Legend: Kamalei Kawa'a sang No Woman No Cry by Bob Marley-- Reba loves how he conveys strength in his singing. John likes how he is honoring Bob Marley's legacy. I wish John had pushed Kamalei to diversify his song selection more. I think he has a good voice but I feel like I have heard him sing all the same type of song. 

Team Dan and Shay: Anya True sang All Too Well by Taylor Swift-- John says it felt like the right song for her and he found her performance compelling. Dan and Shay said it was their fave Anya performance. 

Team Legend: Bryan Olesen sang Africa by Toto-- John said he was glad that he used his playoff pass on Bryan cause he deserved it. He said he felt like he was at Bryan's concert. Reba called him the perfect package. Chance said he is 100% a rockstar. 

Team Dan and Shay: Olivia Rubini sang I'll Stand by You by The Pretenders-- John said Olivia you are always such a wonderful singer. You were trying to find some rock and roll in your voice but it wasn't the right place for this song. I agree with John, I didn't like how she put those random high parts in there. 

Team Legend: Mafe sang Someone Like You by Adele-- Chance said I think she should go to the lives. Shay said you're an amazing singer and should definitely go to the lives. Shay didn't like the melodic changes she made; John disagreed. Great song choice for Mafe! I loved this, she also gets into a place where she does similar song but she is special enough. 

Team Day and Shay: Tae Lewis sang Runnin' Outta Moonlight by Randy Hauser-- I thought this performance was good. I think Tae is someone you can count on to always deliver a consistent performance. Chance said he would put Tae on his playoff team. Reba said that everyone wants to hear what Tae is going to do next. Dan and Shay felt he delivered. 

Team Legend: Zoe Levert sang Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls-- Chance said it was his favorite performance. Chance said she is so captivating. Dan has loved every performance she has done. Reba said girl toy brought, your voice, your stage presence, your look, absolutely beautiful. John you gotta take her to the lives. John said Zoe is becoming a star before our eyes. She's contender for me, she's unique, she's true to herself. I love Zoe. 

Team Dan and Shay: Madison Curbelo sang Landslide by Fleetwood Mac-- Reba said I love your voice, you gave me chills. Chance said I want a copy of that performance, I want to listen to it again. John said what you did up there felt so easy. Shay said I could talk about you all night. I loved that! I was definitely getting Selena vibes but she is also all her own. That was so touching and heartfelt. 

My picks for John: Nathan, Mafe, and Zoe 

My picks for Dan and Shay: Karen, Tae, and Madison

UPDATE: 

The only one I got wrong.... I picked Mafe, John picked Bryan who I do think it actually talented. The rest I got totally right, 5/6! 

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 Last of the Battles and My Top 10!

Team Reba: Elyscia Jefferson versus Ashley Bryant sang If I Were a Boy by Beyonce-- Wow Elyscia was giving me Brandy vibes. Chance said Ashley you surprised me. Elyscia you exude star quality the way you carry yourself. Dan and Shay said Elyscia you had so much control. John said Elyscia you have cool stylistic choices, people need to see you and hear you. Ashley you sang that song, it was brilliant, it was beautiful. I actually think Ashley gave the best vocal performance of this song. Reba said Ashley, high praise from John Legend. Elyscia you did great tonight as well. Reba chose Ashley. 

Team Legend: Mafe versus Rivers Grayson sang You've Got a Friend by James Taylor-- Wow, what a gorgeous rendition of this song. They both sounded amazing. Chance said Rivers I like your tone. Mafe you have such a strong identity as a singer, you know who you are. Shay said Rivers your voice is so present. Mafe your range is everywhere. If I had to choose one, I'd choose Mafe. John said Rivers what you did was so amazing, you were low and quiet yet resonating. Mafe those runs you do are tight, modern, and interesting. John chose Mafe. 

Montaged: 

Team Dan and Shay: Anya True versus AJ Harvey sang Half of my Heart by John Mayer-- Love the song choice. Dan and Shay loved Anya's growth, and they loved how AJ stepped up. Dan and Shay chose Anya. 

Team Chance: Rletto versus Val T Webb sang Saving All My Love for You by Whitney Houston-- Wow! Wow, Wow! That was amazing. Dan called the performance iconic. Shay said Rletto you have the signature tone. I can't wait to buy your records, that was timeless. John said Rletto you have such character and vibe. Val your voice is pure and beautiful. Reba said Val, you reminded us why you got a four chair turn. Chance said Rletto you showed out, Val you are a generational talent. Chance chose Rletto. John stole Val. 

My Top 10 (in no particular order) 

Serenity Arce

Anya True

Jackie Romeo

Asher HaVon

Tae Lewis 

Bryan Olesen

Madison Curbelo

Mafe 

Alyssa Crosby

The Voice Season 25, Week 2: These auditions are going to the Ceilings!

Episode 3: 

Bryan Olesen sang Til the Love Runs Out by One Republic-- This was a great performance; I enjoy Bryan's energy. Apparently he used to sing lead for a popular Christian group Newsboys. Everyone turned except Chance. Dan and Shay said that they thought someone famous was performing. Bryan has a grown daughter and she sings as well. Wow, this family is talented. He ended up choosing Team Legend. 

Frank Garcia sang Love in the Dark-- he has such a full round tone. Frank totally reminds me of Sam Smith. Dan and Shay are the only ones to turn and I don't quite understand. 

Kamalei Kawa sang Redemption Song by Bob Marley-- It's clear that Kamalei feels this song and is passionate about the lyrics and his culture. I loved every choice he made in that performance. I loved when he went into his falsetto. I was surprised that Chance and Reba were the only ones who turned. Chance felt his passion. Reba said the performance touched her heart and felt spiritual to her. Kamalei chose Chance. 

Ashley Bryant sang Last Name by Carrie Underwood-- This performance felt a little ordinary to me, but Ashley has an interesting story. Queen Reba turned and if anyone can find her star quality, it's Reba. 

Asher Havon sang Set Fire to the Rain by Adele-- Everyone turned except John. Asher has a round full voice; he grew up singing in church and you can tell. Reba says she could not wait to turn to see what he looks like. Dan and Shay commented on his lower register and high notes. Chance said he can tell that he is in it to win. Asher chose Reba. 

Jackie Romeo sang Flowers by Miley Cyrus-- I have to be honest, John turned immediately, and then Dan and Shay turned for her, but I would not have, she was pretty pitchy. There were some definite issues throughout. Dan and Shay admitted that she seemed nervous. John felt like this song was perfect for her. 
Jackie chose John. 

Rivers Grayson sang Babylon by David Gray-- I wasn't particularly moved by this, but John did turn and called his performance subtle, he said it had beauty. 
John chose Rivers. 

Corey Curtis sang Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer-- I loved this performance and loved Corey, he seems to really love singing and performing. He is so good! And I am so shocked that no one else turned except Chance. Chance said he gave a great performance, he wants to see him enunciate more and believes he can help him do that. Corey joined Team Chance. 

Madison Curbelo sang Stand by Me-- One of my fave performances and voices. She reminds me of Selena for some reason. I loved how she made this song her own. This was a four chair turn-- John turned first, then Dan and Shay, Chance, and lastly Reba turned right at the end. Reba thought she did a great job on the song. John suggests the album title, "Finding Madison". Chance talked a lot about Madison's cool energy. Dan and Shay said she radiated light and joy and her voice was flawless. Madison chose Dan and Shay. 

Episode 4: 

Anya True sang Until I Found You by Steven Sanchez-- Interesting song choice. She does have an indie rocker sound. She could be a dark horse in the competition. Chance and Dan and Shay turned. Dan and Shay loved her vulnerability and said she has an Olivia Rodrigo vibe. They believe she could win this. Chance loved her falsetto and wants to learn more about her. Anya chose Dan and Shay. 

William Alexander sang Ceilings by Lizzy McAlpine-- This young man is so talented. Wow! His voice is so gentle yet powerful and full of emotion. Chance and Reba turned pretty quickly. Reba said his voice is a beautiful gift. Chance looked so moved and excited about William's performance. He complimented his control and unique tone. William chose Reba. 

Alyssa Crosby sang Hand in my Pocket by Alanis Morrissette-- Reba was the only one who turned. I need to agree with Dan and Shay on this one, she was a little too pitchy. Alyssa joined Team Reba. 

Rletto sang Golden Hour by JVKE-- He is giving me all sorts of Michael Jackson vibes. I loved his version of this song. Chance turned early and Reba at the last minute. I loved how he ended the song. Reba complimented his runs and vocals. Chance felt his runs were intentional and he said he loves doing big songs. Rletto chose Chance. 

Bri Fletcher sang I'm With You and joined Team Chance

Rob Cole-- no one turned

Mafe sang Besame Mucho-- Mafe is just amazing! It will be great to hear her sing something contemporary. Being on The Voice is about being yourself but also having versatility. This was such a great four chair turn. Chance said she has extreme talent. Reba said Mafe touched her heart and soul. John called it thrilling and magical. Shay said Mafe is proof that music is the universal language. Chance surprisingly told Mafe that she should choose Team Legend.