The Voice 11 Live Blog and Recap Top 12 Performance VIDEOS
Country superstar Garth Brooks is on hand to mentor each team.
Sundance Head – Team Blake – My Church by Maren Morris – Sundance lost everything in the recent Texas flood. Music has always been his church. He’s a little star struck by Garth. Blake is looking forward to Sundance flipping a song penned by a female. Sundance employs his powerful voice to the fullest, turning the song into a spirited gospel raver. The singer puts his heart and soul into it. CAN I GET AN AMEN. “That was fun!” he exclaims after. When Sundance performs, he appears to be in a total state of bliss. Alicia calls him “spectacular…you continue to raise the bar.” Miley agrees. She was so honored when he sang “The Climb” a few shows back. She thinks his choice was the perfect song. He’s meant to be on a big stage, she says. Blake would put Sundance up vocally against anyone in the world. “This guy is having a blast!” says Blake. – Download at iTune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x23tovFATDc
Darby Walker – Team Miley – Ruby Tuesday by Rolling Stones – Having a few technical problems on my end! I’ll edit later. In short, it was Darby’s best performance to date. Heartfelt, unadorned vocals. No pretention. The song showed off everything good about Darby’s voice–her raspy, quirk. But She was 100 percent present for that performance. I found her last couple of outings too precious by half. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxYsFsWWg9g
Christian Cuevas – Team Alicia – The Scientist by Coldplay – He’s dedicating the song to his girlfriend. Christian calls “The Scientist” an “honest” song. Garth is impressed with the singer’s range. Alicia helps with his interpretation. She loves when he belts the high notes in full voice. Does Christian understand this song is about heartbreak? I’m not loving his phrasing much. His high notes feel strained. That last note. Ouch. Offkey. The crowd is going wild, though.”That’s unbelievable,” says Adam. “You feel every song you sing. I wish you were on my team!” Alicia gloats…he’s on MY team!” She believes he can take any song from anywhere and make it his own. Eh. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S1TCD67G7A
OH LOOK. The Top 12 in a Kohl’s TV commercial. It gets weirdly emotional at the end. As if they couldn’t make their dreams come true without Kohl’s help. Okee Doke. After, Adam and Blake do their bromance thing for Thursday Night Football.
The iTunes Top 10 multiplier is back! Any song that enters the Top 10 on iTunes will be multiplied by 10.
Sa’Rayah – Team Alicia – Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi – Sa’Rayah thanks Alicia for saving her last week. Singing a rock and roll classic is out of her wheelhouse, but the singer is up for the challenge. Sarayah adds that she’s currently going through a divorce. Garth tells her she brings the song to a whole new level. Hm. I find her interpretation underwhelming. She’s not entirely comfortable singing rock. She doesn’t know where to riff or exactly how to phrase the melody and lyrics. My take on Sarayha all season: She hits big notes without evincing any feeling. “That was crazy!” exclaims ex-coach Miley. She likes her singing rock. Blake calls the performance “amazing.” Alicia continues to be wowed by her team member. “While you are performing, everyone is living your yeses…you show the world who you are.” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SrRA_cxqo
Once again, the finalists will debut an ORIGINAL at this season’s finale. NO CHRISTMAS SONGS THIS TIME. Remember? The finalists sang holiday songs instead of originals last year (season 9 with Jordan Smith). I didn’t get it.
Billy Gilman – Team Adam – The Show Must Go On by Queen – It was old home week for Billy and Garth! “The future now belongs to him,” Garth says after hearing his rehearsal. The song hits close to Billy and his industry struggles. “The world is going to wake up and say “This singer is a major competitor,” Garth predicts. This song is a perfect match for Billy’s big theatrical voice. If he can act at all, he’d be perfect for Broadway. His best bet is to go the Jordan Smith route. I can’t imagine him singing radio friendly pop music, really. He knows how to lay on the big big vocals. His range in full voice is impressive. BIG FINISH BIG NOTE. The crowd is cray cray. Adam jumps on his chair “Get up! Get up!” he shouts. Blake was amazed by Billy when he was young…and he’s “hung on to” his talent. “You are a million times better as an adult,” he says. “When you hear something like this happen on this stage,” says Adam, “What could possibly epitomize the show more than you do?” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmpCUNsI9Os
Austin Allsup – Team Blake – Do Right Woman, Do Right Man by Aretha Franklin – Austin wants to be a do right husband and do right father. The surprising song choice is personal. He’s a little star struck by Garth, who Austin to Kelly Clarkson and his wife Trisha Yearwood. In the final band rehearsal, Austin mentions adding a little southern rock flavor to the arrangement. This isn’t a weird song choice. Musicians like Greg Allman used to play backup on soul recording sin Memphis. Soul is the foundation of both R&B and southern rock. Austin’s vocal is tremendous as usual, but the arrangement is a little…breezy? I wish he’d slowed it up a little and cut the horns. Because that phrasing and raspy voice needs no adornment. More blues…less southern rock. Still, good stuff. – It’s Miley’s favorite performance so far. She had no idea he could hit those big Aretha notes. Blake talks about the “Texas red dirt” artists who are the “new generation of outlaws.” Nobody in that group can sing like you do,” Blake enthuses. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5PojJnZlyo
Wé McDonald – Team Alicia – Take Me to Church by Hozier – Garth is stunned by Wé’s voice. Wé is tackling a tough, rhythmic song, says Alicia. She has to dig deep to pull it off. “Enjoy everything,” says Garth. When she starts off at the piano, that deep dark alto is like warm molasses. Wé picks up the mic and commences to rock. This is a perfect song for her. I wish the band wasn’t so loud. Her breath control is impressive. Incredible phrasing. Lyrically, this song is likely beyond the young singer. She’s only a teen! But she’s internalizing the lyrics and making them her own. “You are the real deal,” says Alicia, “You are somebody…unforgettable. I am so proud of you.” Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDqbcS4xmKw
I am LOVING these quick coach’s comments. So much music. Awesome.
Aaron Gibson – Team Miley – Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings by Father John Misty – Aaron is ALL about performing songs that have not been on the show before. He’s picking tunes that reflect his alt/rock style. Hm. He is choosing his own songs. Good. Garth reminds him to SELL the song because nobody knows it. “I hear a lot of life in his voice.” Miley wants him to use the stage like he would at a concert. The song choice is risky. It’s not the easiest song to digest either lyrically or melodically. I will say he sounds right singing it and I admire that he’s sticking to who he is as an artist. An indie rockie lives and dies by his cred. Having said that, I love Aaron’s voice a lot. It’ll be interesting to see how that does on iTunes. Adam thinks his voice is special. “If godzilla could sing, that’s what he would sound like,” says Blake. Adam rolls his eyes. “We haven’t had anyone quite like you on the show before,” Blake says. Miley was tentative about Aaron singing the unfamiliar song, but she thinks in the end, it fits his style perfectly. “People have to vote for Aaron!” says Miley. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJSvFX829PA
It’s Season 7 runner-up Matt McAndrew! He’s here to pimp his own music and his The Voice Amazon echo podcast.
Courtney Harrell – Team Blake – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith – Week one and the Asteroid Song makes an appearance. YAY. Her son just went off to college and she’s dedicating the song to him. Garth gives her tips on how to draw in an audience. Her black leather half hand gloves are cool. Distracted. It’s hard for me to get excited for this oversung competition song. There are some pitch problems. She hits one big high note that gets the audience clapping. I suppose that’s all that counts. What a beautiful song!” says Alicia. She felt Courtney become grounded as the performance progressed. “You look stunning!” Blake feels a little bit invested in her after last week’s save. He’s sure he made the right decision. Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S54j1dls8d4
Josh Gallagher – Team Adam – Why by Jason Aldean – Josh got married a month ago. We see video clips of the wedding. “You’re best when singing with little distraction,” Advises Adam. He believes Josh can make it all the way to the end. With his country radio ready voice, I wouldn’t doubt it. But to my ears, its generic. I couldn’t pick his voice out of a lineup. But that might actually be good for his prospects as a pop country artist. Singing in a clear, emotional tone, he’s literally on his knees at the end of the song. Watch out for this guy. Blake wonders if he made the right choice giving him up to Adam. “No one works harder than Josh,” notes Adam. He was glad to have Garth’s help this week. “I’m proud to have you on my team.” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNkwj1B8nEk
Ali Caldwell – Team Miley – Did I Ever Love You by Leonard Cohen –The song was Miley’s idea. Cohen, as most of you know, passed away last week. It’s an interesting song choice for Ali. She’s a little worried about the song, but will trust Miley’s instincts. By the final rehearsal, Ali was feeling confident. She holds a rose as she sings…and then drops it. Dramatic touch. Miley is doing right by Ali. It’s another A+ song choice. She’s soulful AND modern. I can imagine Ali on pop radio. Her big notes are perfectly placed. Every moment has a reason for existing. I’m buying what Ali is selling. She’s rapidly becoming one of my favorites. “That was a real moment,” says Alicia. “…That beautiful cross section when songs are timeless.” Miley says, “I’m proud of you every single time.” She points skyward, “I’m just happy Leonard could hear this.” – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPBfQ7yIRwM
Whoo hoo! Brendan gets the pimp spot!
Brendan Fletcher – Team Adam – Whipping Post by Allman Brothers – Adam wants to break Brendan out of his shell. The singer confesses he was in a metal band when he was young. Brendan’s life as a musician has been challenging. He relates to the song. Garth suggests Brendan grab the mic off the stand. So far, Brendan’s performances have been internal. He needed to step it up a notch to stay in the competition, and he certainly does that here. His ragged vocal is full of passion. Brendan is definitely another one of my favorites. Again, the band is a little loud? BANDZILLA. Still. HOT. Blake says, “I feel the battle brewing between you and Aaron.” That crossed my mind too. I think Brendan will prevail. Adam gushes, “He just became the guy you just saw.” Adam asks fans to vote vote vote for him. – Download at iTunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvASWVXpizI
