The Voice Season 5: The Battles Begin

Team Adam: Grey vs. Nic Hawk singing Domino by Jessie J.-- Ryan Tedder is the adviser for Team Adam this season.-- I loved this battle, it was so entertaining and so well sung. I hope that whoever doesn't get chosen gets a steal from another coach. Blake said he doesn't know how Adam could not go with Nic. Christina said she was going to go with consistent vocals and chose Grey as the winner of this battle. Cee Lo likes what Nic brings to the stage but loved that Grey was wearing black and red. Adam thought Grey's voice is effortless and Nic brings energy and character. Adam picked Grey as the winner of the battle. Blake stole Nic calling Adam an idiot.

Team Christina: Amber Nicole vs. Timyra Joi singing Listen by Beyonce-- Ed Sheeran is the adviser for Team Christina this season.-- Wow, those two girls just lit up the stage at 17 and 15 respectively, amazing. Their voices, range, and performances were just so impressive. Cee Lo called it unbelievable from both of them. He loved the warmth of Amber's voice but was impressed with the cut of Timyra's voice. Adam loved the tallness of Timyra's voice. Blake said the fact that Christina was crying was a win for both of them. Christina said she lives in the moment and chooses on gut instinct and picked Amber as the winner of the battle.

Team Blake: Justin Chain vs. Shelbie Z. singing Don't You Wanna Stay by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson-- Cher is the adviser for Team Blake this season.-- Another awesome vocal; I loved them both but I would give this to Justin. Christina thought they were a great duet pairing and they blended so well. Cee Lo felt they both did a great job. Adam said the best battles are the ones that don't seem like battles because the two people singing act as a unit. Adam gave Justin the edge being that Shelbie went sharp. Blake felt Justin did better singing this song than he did. I am surprised Adam didn't steal Justin. Blake chose Shelbie.

Team Cee Lo: Anthony Paul vs. Caroline Pennell singing As Long As You Love Me by Justin Bieber-- Miguel is the adviser for Team Cee Lo this season. I echo Adam, that was awesome. I loved the dynamics in that song, each of them knew when to lay it on real thick and when to pull back. Adam said they killed it, the pitch was incredible and the feeling and emotion was there too. Adam would choose Caroline because we were bought to a special world. Blake said Adam was right about pitch, and was most impressed with Anthony. Christina said she felt the heart in that performance from both of them, and they each brought their own thing to the performance. I want to say I loved Cee Lo's line in which he said, Caroline, your voice allows me to dream with my eyes open, and he ended up choosing her. Christina stole Anthony Paul.

Team Adam: Donna Allen vs. Tessanne Chin singing Next to Me by Emile Sande-- I thought in this battle Donna had the stronger voice. Blake felt he had to go with Donna on this. Christina felt that Donna was like Tina Turner and was impressed with Tessanne's range. Cee Lo felt that he would choose Tess but was impressed with Donna's range. Adam compared Donna to Tina Turner and said Tessanne is just effortless. Adam chose Tessanne.

Team Christina: Briana Cuoco vs. Jacquie Lee singing House of the Rising Sun by The Animals-- Adam said he went back and forth but didn't know how to choose. Blake was impressed with the control in Jacquie's voice, but felt Briana captured the song. I have never been particularly impressed with Bri but the coaches seem to really like this girl. Christina chooses Jacquie but Cee Lo and Blake try to steal Bri and she ends up choosing Blake.

Team Christina: Jacob Poole vs. Matthew Shuler singing My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em' Up) by Fall Out Boy-- I loved both of these guys and I think the other judges are crazy for not stealing him. Ed Sheeran gave awesome advice and got so much out of both artists. They both have so much energy when they perform. Adam calls it a musical ass whoopin', but thinks it's a draw and that no one got their ass whooped on the stage. Cee Lo said that the average artist could not perform at that level of internsity and still keep their vocal chops the way that they did. Blake said Jacob was a one chair turn and was more impressed with what he did up there. Christina felt both men were crazy talented, but went with Matt. What I felt was even more surprising like I said was the fact that no one stole Jacob. Big mistake!

Team Cee Lo: Kat Robichaud vs. R. Anthony singing I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith-- Wow, well, no one really impressed me too much. I also thought Kat was pulling some weird faces throughout that performance. Adam liked Kat's intensity and thought R. came from out of nowhere. Blake agreed with Adam on his opinion of R., but admired Kat's energy and intensity. Christina compared Kat to a tiger and loved R.'s vocal control and said she has much love and appreciation for that. Cee Lo called Kat a dynamo and said he needs a disaster like her so he went with Kat.


Montages.... (oh no!)
Team Cee Lo: Cole Vosbury vs. Lupe Carroll singing Africa by Toto-- Cee Lo chooses Cole
Team Blake: EG Daley vs. Sam Cerniglia singing Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt-- Blake chooses EG
Team Adam: Ashley Dubose vs. Justin Blake singing Just a Fool by Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera-- Adam chooses Ashley

Team Blake: Monika Leigh vs. Ray Boudreaux singing Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk-- Awesome battle! This was one of the best battles I have heard, but despite that, it still felt like Ray was the clear winner. Christina felt Ray was digging a little bit deeper. Cee Lo said Ray can SANG; he thought Monika got lost in the record. Adam was still mad at Monika for not picking him, and said sky is the limit for Ray and he's very talented. Blake likes the freedom Monika has as a vocalist and thought Ray stepped up and displayed depth and range. Blake chooses Ray and Cee Lo stole Monika.

The Voice Season 5: Week 2 Part 1

Ray Boudreaux sang Use Me-- Ray has a unique sound, and it's possible that if polished he could go far in this competition. Cee Lo and Blake turn for him, and Cee Lo comes out of the gate and says I want to win with you. Blake thinks he is the real deal and loves his "swampy" sound.
Ray chose Blake

Lina Guadenzi sang Landslide-- I liked Lina, but her vibrato was a bit much. I would love to see her sing again since she made it on to a team. Christina turns first, then Blake. Lina reveals that she studied opera but her heart is in "bluesy folk". Blake feels he is more suited to be Christina's coach, but Christina's says she turned first.
Lina chose Christina

Juhi Pathak sang Mercy-- This young lady is only 16 and she is one of the most talented voices I have heard so far. Her voice has such an effortlessness to it. Cee Lo and Christina both turn and Cee Lo thinks she is fun and effortless, and she was in control of singing that song. Christina says she wants to give her advice as a female. Juhi says she wants to be a cross between Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain.
Juhi chose Cee Lo

I loved 54 year old Malford Milligan who sang Let's Stay Together; I thought he sounded great. No one turned for him.

Justin Blake sang Sure Be Cool if You Did-- I like the fact that Justin chose a Blake Shelton song, that was ambitious. Blake never turned which I was kind of surprised about because Blake was all about every country act last year. Adam was the only one who turned and said he didn't want to look over and get Blake's approval this time. Adam called Blake a gorgeous man and did realize Justin had chosen to sing a Blake song.
Justin chose Blake

Timyra Joi sang Girl on Fire- Hard to believe that she is only 15 years old! Timyra has a mature voice, and it was an impressive performance. Christina says she was first by a mile. Blake reminds her that he won this competition last year with a 16 year old girl. Cee Lo says he wants to nurture her and be a part of her journey. Adam is totally Team Christina, I don't get what's up with that. Timyra went into it thinking she would choose Cee Lo and instead she ended up going with Christina.
Timyra chose Christina

Monika Leigh sang The Thrill is Gone-- This is another favorite of mine. I loved her voice and her attitude. All the guys turned for her. Adam called her pure, Cee Lo thought her voice and the way she sang the song was womanly, and Blake said he fell in love with her voice and took out his trophies.
Monika chose Blake

Also not chosen, Zach Hinson who sang Drunk on You-- the vocals just weren't there.

Briana Cuoco sang You and I-- The sister of Big Bang star Kaley Cuoco. I need to be honest here, I don't think she's all that great. I actually thought she was off pitch and her voice wasn't that powerful. Christina and Cee Lo turn, unsure why.
Briana chose Christina

George Horga Jr. sang Treasure-- George has a great personality that comes across when he sings and performs. Cee Lo was the only one who turned around and said he did so because of how the crowd reacted to him.
George chose Cee Lo

People who made it through but we didn't see full performances:
Anthony Paul-- Cee Lo
Cilla Chan-- Blake
Jacob Poole-- Christina

Last but certainly not least, my favorite performance of the night...
Preston Pohl sang Electric Feel-- Preston is a pro when it comes to the performance aspect of things. His voice is awesome, it has rasp, growl, soul; he even hits a nice falsetto. He has confidence but he isn't cocky. The three guys turned around, unsure why Christina didn't get in on this. Adam compared him to Marvin Gaye. Blake played the country card cause Preston is from Texas, and Cee Lo bonded with him. Nevertheless, Preston went with Adam.
Preston chose Adam