This coming week, the Top 9 will sing for your votes, and one will be eliminated on Tuesday. On Monday, coaches Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will premiere the duet, “Go Ahead and Break My Heart,” a track off of Blake’s upcoming album, If I’m Honest, due out May 20. Florida Georgia Line will also perform. On Tuesday, it’s James Bay plus Andy Samberg (in character for his new parody movie Pop Star: Never Stop Popping) with Adam Levine. Click for more info!
Last week’s elimination of Daniel Passino leaves Pharrell Williams with one team member. Lucky for him, it’s the talented Hannah Huston, who will probably last at least until the semi-final Top 8 bloodbath. I’m still thinking Laith, Alisan and Adam will be Top 3. Mary, Bryan and Hannah sing for the wildcard. Paxton and Shalyah are sent home. Nick goes this week. Variables that could come into play: Would Blake throw Adam under the bus to save Mary? Could Shalyah throw a Hail Mary pass and win over America?
The Voice 10 RecapTop 10 Performances
FYI: I base the power list on how powerful I believe a contestant is coming into the next week of performances. It has nothing to do with who I like best or believe is the most talented.
1. Laith Al-Saadi – Team Adam – I know Alisan had an incredible week but I’m not ready to move her back to #1 and I’m not sure I’ll ever be. At the beginning of this competition I would not have believed that a big bearded dude with a Middle Eastern sounding name would have a crack at the crown. He’s advanced throughout the competition sheerly on the strength of his musicianship and ability to deliver compelling dynamic performances.
2. Alisan Porter – Team Christina – Alisan had one of her best weeks yet singing in a style that suits her. For the rest of the competition she needs to show fans the kind of artist she plans to be when the show is over. Bluesy folk/pop with a tinge of country, like the Patty Griffin song she covered last week, works for her.
3. Adam Wakefield – Team Blake – Adam’s last couple of performances have been too slick. At this point he needs strip it back, bring in some grit. Other than Alisan, Adam is arguably the best singer left on the strength of his clean beautiful tone and control. But there has been something missing in his performances lately. He’s not holding the audience’s attention the way that he could and should be.
4. Mary Sarah – Team Blake – With Blake clearly in her corner, Mary is getting stronger week by week. I smell a beloved Protestant hymn in the singer’s very near future.
5. Bryan Bautista – Team Christina – Bryan really hit his stride last week with the Spanglish cover, “Promise,” and will probably get a crack at the wildcard, although I’m betting on Blake’s Mary Sarah as the odds on favorite for the final.
6. Hannah Huston – Team Pharrell – Hannah is an interesting and unique talent but I don’t think she and Pharrell have done enough to break her out of the pack. Right now I can’t imagine her prevailing over anybody ahead of her on this list.
7. Paxton Ingram – Team Blake – Paxton is an adorable little sprite and tries so hard. I think that’s why America has voted him through despite being the weakest singer left besides Nick. Also: Because Team Blake.
8. Shalyah Fearing – Team Adam – Just maybe, if Shalyah and Adam work up a song that has the potential to wow the audience and she has the performance of her life, the young singer could rise up the iTunes chart and position herself as a contender for the wildcard. But that’s a pretty big if. Maybe Adam could bust out another gospel tune for her.
9. Nick Hagelin – Team Christina – Nick is lucky that he battled for the save against a singer who performed so badly his own coach basically delivered a eulogy to fans instead of a call to action. His flabby, lukewarm performance would have been crushed competing against any other singer. I can’t see him surviving this week.
