The Voice Season 18: Battles Come to a Close With Mixed Bag in Terms of Performances

Once again, was not super impressed with the Battles this week.

Team Nick: Arei Moon vs. Samuel Wilco sang Missing You by John Waite-- Surprising song choice for these two that left me feeling kind of bored. I was more impressed with Samuel in the blinds but here I give the slight edge to Arei.
Nick chose Arei

Team Kelly:Megan Danielle vs. Samantha Howell sang Top of the World by Patty Griffin-- I am definitely a Patty Griffin fan but I did not love this song choice. Samantha was under pitch for most of the performance. Megan's vocals were full of grit and range and there was this real fullness. I have to say overall I was more impressed with Megan. Blake called Megan the shocker in this performance and said her voice is unbelievable and he can't believe he didn't turn for her. He said Kelly stole his dream in having Samantha on his team as she blocked Blake.
Kelly chose Megan and saved Samantha

Team Blake: Jon Mullins vs. Tod Tilghman sang Ghost in this House by Allison Krauss-- One of the better song choices tonight and this sounded like a duet. I loved both of these guys! Jon is more soulful whereas Tod has this undeniable roundness to his voice. I honestly thought both were great. Nick and John gave the edge to Jon whereas Kelly thought it was pretty even.
Blake chose Tod and Nick stole Jon. They both deserved to move forward.



Team Legend: Brittney Allen vs. Zan Fiskum sang Closer to Fine by The Indigo Girls-- Zan won this battle-- she had more experience and more confidence. I will say that I think the song choice did neither contestant justice, but Zan's confidence pushed her through. 
John chose Zan

Team Kelly: Mandi Thomas vs. Sara Collins sang My Baby Loves Me by Martina McBride-- Great song choice! This song really complimented both ladies. I think both of them had some pitch issues, probably just nerves. Blake agreed that there were some pitch issues. Nick said Sara's voice is great for recording; he said Mandi sold the performance for him. Overall performance, Mandi was stronger. 
Kelly chose Mandi

Montaged performances--- 

• Jules vs Tayler Green – Water Under the Bridge by Adele – Team Kelly Clarkson – Kelly picks Tayler

• Jacob Miller vs Kevin Farris – Lights Up by Harry Styles – Team Nick Jonas – Nick picks Jacob

Team Legend: Cedrice vs. Thunderstorm Artis sang Stay by Rihanna and Mikky Ekko-- I like both of these artists. I will admit, I think Thunderstorm is a little overly confident, borderline cocky. Cedrice is absolutely captivating, her voice, her look. I cannot stop listening and looking. Blake said between the two of them he would pick Thunderstorm because he dominated. 

John chose Thunderstorm, and Black stole Cedrice saying she is on a different plane, and although this may be seen as an odd pairing, he believes it will make for some memorable moments on the show. 

 

Two strong battles tonight--- Jon and Tod, and Thunderstorm and Cedrice. Tayler and Megan are my dark horses tonight. 

The Voice Season 18: Episodes 1 and 2 of The Blinds Make Me Weak

Episode 1:

I was actually excited for this season of The Voice. Nick Jonas joining the show had a lot to do with that. I think he brings a unique perspective from anyone who has been on the show before. I kind of boycotted last season--- not because of Blake and Gwen, I love them! I think it was because Adam didn't come back, and I am not a huge fan of John Legend. He's a bit much for me.

Something I love, in particular, about this first episode of Season 18 is that the great "voices" come from unlikely sources. First contestant out-- Todd Tilghman came out singing "We Got Tonight" by Bob Seger with the same type of rasp and growl in his voice as Seger himself. At 41, and a Pastor with eight kids (two adopted!) Tilghman seems poised to go far in this competition with the right song selection and coaching. Predictable four chair turn, and Todd goes the smart route and picks Team Blake.



Nelson Cade III was up next and he sang Pride and Joy-- I liked him, but I did not think he was four chair turn worthy. I wanted him to take it up a notch vocally and he never did that. John even used his block on Nick for Nelson, and I guess it made sense since Nelson ended up choosing Team Legend.

Tate Brusa sang perfect by Ed Sheeran-- Tate is only 16, and he has a good voice, but it's nothing out of the ordinary. He did play at Sundance last year and writes and produces his own songs in his bedroom which is pretty cool. Blake and Nick turn and it's no surprise that Tate goes with Nick.

In honesty, I am not a huge fan of the song Issues by Julia Michaels. I enjoy her as an artist but I did not enjoy the style of that song. Well, Tayler Green came up and did her rendition of Issues and it blew me away. I saw the song in a whole new light. She changed up he melody some and it was cool. She also just has an interesting vibe for me. Kelly and Nick turned for Tayler and she chose Team Kelly.



Darius Lyles sang How Do You Sleep by Sam Smith-- He has a great tone, I loved his interpretation of this song. Kelly and John turned and Darius chose Team Legend.

Megan Danielle sang Remedy by Adele-- Kelly was the only one who turned. Megan was rough around the edges but maybe with Kelly's guidance she can really develop her talent.

My fave of the night was Todd Michael Hall, hard to believe he is 50 years old. He sang Juke Box Hero by Foreigner, and he has a great rock voice. The authenticity of his whole performance in and of itself was turn worthy. This is someone who should have had a four chair turn and was totally robbed. Todd is someone in my opinion who could go to the finals of this show and make an amazing album. John and Blake turned. Blake said you like to rock and I like to party, let's do this!



 First show wrapped up with a four chair turn that I didn't think should be a four chair turn. It was Joanna Serenko who sang All My Lovin' by The Beatles. She did do her own rendition of the song. I will say she is mature for 18 and does have a great technical voice, she is probably the most original of the night next to Tayler. Joanna picked Team Nick



I do think though that what Todd Michael Hall did was truly special though because as Kelly said, not many people have legit rock voices today. She said that they say that they sing rock and she is like "meh, do you"?

Episode 2:

Arei Moon sang Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson-- Kelly and Nick turned, Nick blocked Kelly. I was not a fan of this performance.

Levi Watkins sang Hey Soul Sister by Train-- This one was so shocking! Levi has such a cool voice and is only 14 years old. I cannot believe no one else turned except Blake. He was trying so hard to not react and he did a great job. I think all the coaches were genuinely shocked. It's always tough with a boy that age because his voice is no doubt changing. Levi is on Team Blake!



Zach Day sang Weak by SWV-- Impressive performance and John and Kelly turned. My only issue is I feel like his voice is a little too soft and I don't know if he is going to be able to compete with some of these bigger voices. Zach chose Team Legend

Chelle sang idontwanttobeyouanymore by Billie Eilish-- Oh wow! I agree with Nick, her voice makes me feel emotional. Nick tries to seal the deal by saying she is the type of singer he would die to write songs for. Kelly says, would you write songs for me, and he said, I think I submitted some for you and you turned them down. He jokes that Blake has been doing this for an eternity. John regrets being the only one not to turn. Chelle picks Team Kelly



Toneisha Harris sang I Want to Know What Love is by Foreigner-- They saved the best for last tonight! Toneisha is 44 and she has a beautiful story. She was supposed to audition for The Voice eight years ago but her son was diagnosed with leukemia. He is now in his second year in college. Nick said it is one of the best vocals he has ever heard! Blake said you have been singing in the shower or something because you don't just come out and sing like that! He said I don't want to pretend that I know what it's like to sing like you because I can't, but I would be proud to be your coach. Blake's experience pitch really works. Toneisha chose Team Blake.