The Voice Season 18: The Knockouts Shine Bright Like a Diamond

Team Legend: Mandi Castillo sang Stand by Me by Ben E. King vs. Thunderstorm Artis sang Preach by John Legend-- I enjoy Mandi, she gave this song a little bit of a modern take, but her vocals weren't great to me. Thunderstorm, I have been a little put off by because he comes across as arrogant to me. However, tonight he was the better competitor to me. I love how relaxed his performance was. Nick said he loved both of them, both were four chair turns, but he would go with Thunderstorm. Kelly and Blake said that they would go with Mandi. 

John chose Mandi and Nick stole Thunderstorm

Team Nick: Arei Moon sang You Don't My Name by Alicia Keys vs. Jon Mullins sang Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran-- Arei's growth has been enormous. She connected so well with this song, it was perfect for her. I actually feel the same way about Jon's song. Kelly said both of you had range and were very physical when you sang. Blake said Jon really went for it. John said both of you had a lot of range. Nick said you took the challenge Jon and that was incredible. Arei you brought so much to the process. 

Nick chose Arei 

Team Kelly: Tayler Green vs. Micah Iverson sang Graveyard by Halsey-- Loved Micah's version of this song, dare I say, more than Halsey's version. It was so good. Tayler brought a really contemporary spin to a song that I at times find boring. She sounded more and more amazing as the song went on.  Blake said Tayler's song allowed her to soar more than Micah's did. John agreed and added that they both have incredible voices. Kelly said Micah's song was very difficult, and Tayler the song you chose is classic but you made it your own. 

Kelly chose Micah

Team Nick: Allegra Miles sang Chandelier by Sia vs. Jacob Miller sang Better Now by Post Malone-- Allegra is absolutely captivating, her tone is something that is addictive to listen to. It seemed like she kept pushing herself and there was no limit to what she would do. I loved how Jacob took Better Now and stripped it down. Kelly said you both are fantastic. Blake said Jacob you're in such control of your voice, flawless, but I feel like Allegra is your chance to win The Voice this season. John said both of your were so good, I'd have a hard time picking. Nick said Jacob you are someone I'd love to work with, and Allegra you know how to thread a needle through a performance and I'm entranced. 

Nick chose Allegra 

Team Kelly chose  Mandi Thomas who sang My Church by Maren Morris

Team Blake: Toneisha Harris sang Diamond by Rihanna vs. Cedrice sang Love on the Brain by Rihanna-- Cedrice was great, like James Taylor said, this is a real singer song and seemed almost made for her. Toneisha had a great performance as well, I wasn't wowed as much by her but maybe that's because she does what she does so effortlessly. Nick said Cedrice it's an honor to hear you sing, and Toneisha I get mad that I can't do what you can do. Nick said Toneisha you could win this show. Kelly thought both of them could be in the finale. Blake said Cedrice casts a spell, and Toneisha points where she wants the song to go. 

Blake chose Toneisha and Kelly stole Cedrice! 

4 Way Knockout-- Todd Michael Hall sang Somebody to Love by OneRepublic , Nelson Cade III sang Best Part by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R., Michael Williams sang You Are the Reason by Calum Scott, Samantha Howell sang You Are Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson 

About each of their contestants-- 

Todd: Blake said your range is stupid

Nelson: John said when I watch you I am watching someone who truly loves music

Michael: Nick said Michael that is the best you have ever sounded

Samantha: Kelly said you sounded so beautiful 

My pick is Michael from Team Nick -- he had by far the best and strongest performance and I hope everyone goes to vote for him! 

Tonight was impressive--- I will be watching so many people in the lives-- Michael Williams has to get through but I believe he could continue to have enormous growth. I will be watching Arei and Allegra; they are both amazing. Thunderstorm has a quiet confidence as does Cedrice-- they could come up big. 

The Voice Season 18: Some of "the Best" Battles

The Battles!

Battle advisors-- Blake had Bebe Rexha, Kelly had Dua Lipa, Nick had his two brothers Joe and Kevin Jonas, and John had Ella Mai

Team Blake: Joei Fulco vs. Todd Michael Hall sang The Best by Tina Turner-- The song was super cheese, but these two both have great vocals. Todd is probably one of my fave contestants from this season. Todd has an impressive voice, he sang the high harmony on this. Joei is great too. Blake picked Joei and saved Todd.

The spin on this season is that the 4 saves (1 from each team) will compete against each other and the fans will vote one through to the lives.

Team Kelly: Chelle vs. Anaya Cheyenne sang Scared to be Lonely by Dua Lipa-- The song is a bit mature being that they are both so young. However, it showed how advanced Anaya is, she did a great job with this song. Anaya has a mature voice, she reminds me a little bit of Normani.
Kelly chose Anaya

Team Nick: Joanna Serenko vs. Roderick Chambers sang When the Party's Over by Billie Eilish-- Definitely the battle of the night. This was amazing, and I am so glad that both of them got picked; however, I am so shocked that Nick did not save Joanna. Joanna was a four chair turn and she was amazing. Her vocals are always stunning, and she really pushes whoever she is singing with to come up to her level. Roderick is a surprise! I definitely did not expect him to be at that level, but I think he studied hard and Joanna brought out amazing things from him. I also have to give props to Nick because the arrangement was gorgeous and helped them to compliment each other. Nick chose Roderick and John stole Joanna



Team John: Mike Jerel vs. Zach Day sang Adorn by Miguel-- I loved this as well! It didn't feel like a battle, it felt like a duet which was the beautiful thing about it. They supported one another and pushed each other, and both of them, as Nick said, were so confident. Kelly said Zach, I don't expect the sound to come out of you, and Mike you're fearless. Blake said you have to go with who is more in the lane that you want to go with your team. John chose Mike




Team Blake: Jamal Corrie vs. Levi Watkins sang Counting Stars by One Republic-- I wasn't too crazy about song selection here. They were well matched but I thought the performance lacked connection to the song. Blake chose Levi

Team Nick: Allegra Miles vs. Michael Williams sang How Will  I Know by Whitney Houston-- I was obsessed with the arrangement on this. Nick did a great job. You can tell Michael definitely worked hard on cleaning things up a little bit and being more precise with his vocals. Allegra's tone is ridiculous; she is so unique. These two clearly formed a bond, a friendship; even the phrasing in this performance is simply so cool. Kelly said Michael you came in strong, you have a magnificent voice. Allegra, I am in love with your voice, said Kelly. Blake said congratulations on a killer performance. Michael you're a great singer, and Allegra not often someone like you comes along. John said I got some Nick vibes from you Michael, and Allegra the singers who really connect in this world have special tones like yours. Nick chose Allegra and saved Michael



Oh my gosh! Faves of the night-- Allegra, Michael, Joanna, and Roderick

Honorable mention to Mike J. and Zach

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.