The Voice season 16 Blind Auditions are over. But before the Battles begin, let’s look back on some of the best auditions of the season. I’ve chosen 10 of my FAVORITE auditions from Team Adam Levine, Team Blake Shelton, Team Kelly Clarkson and Team John Legend. This is not a “power list.” I’m choosing 10 singers based on the artists who caught my ear.
I also chose without regard to team affiliation. For instance, I’m typically pretty hard on Adam, but FIVE of his team members wound up on my list! There are three from John and only one each from Kelly (surprisingly) and Blake (and it’s really only an honorable mention).
How about you? Which singers were your favorites? Post your thoughts in comments.
The Voice 16 Battle Round Spoilers – Pairings, Song Choices and Results
Join us on Monday March 25 when the epic Battles begin at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC.
Maelyn Jarmon – Fields of Gold by Sting – Team John Legend – Maelyn has a tone like warm honey and beautiful, beautiful phrasing. She puts her own spin on this 80s classic. And just when you’ve grown accustomed to her deep alto voice, she hits some gorgeous head notes. She deserved that four chair turn. Lucky John is the coach who got her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqIm170M4zg
Dominic Haynes – River by Leon Bridges – Team Adam Levine – DANG Adam blocked John from turning for Dominic. No wonder–that boy delivered a mesmerising performance. Singing with a warm, raspy tone, there was not a note out of place.
https://youtu.be/xisZPyQGsKw
Trey Rose – Wake Me Up by Avicii ft Aloe Blacc – Team Adam Levine – Trey’s soulful, expressive voice really grabs me. Love that growl at the end. I awed at his son crying as he sang. Blake and Adam fought over him, but in the end, Trey chose the first person to turn, Adam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuR6ohNAPQ
LB Crew – Waves by Mr. Probz – Team Adam Levine – LB’s slow and silky R&B style earned him a four chair turn. And he absolutely deserved it. As Kelly said, LB has range and power. And his low tones, as John mentioned are beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rz-dIuyj4U
Betsy Ade – Hunger by Florence + The Machine – Team John Legend – Florence songs are notoriously difficult to sing. But, Betsy Ade and her impressive range nails this one. This charismatic rocker had my attention from the first note to the last.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUYkmJaztA8
Jacob Maxwell – Delicate by Taylor Swift – Team John Legend – It’s a risk for a male vocalist to “flip” a female song. But with his sweet tenor, Jacob thoroughly makes a Taylor Swift song his own. The first verse and chorus are subdued. It’s a delightful surprise when he goes full throttle on the last chorus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKNjdnk-hck
Ciera Dumas – Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato – Team Adam Levine – It was Ciera’s smart song choice and powerful rasp that got me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip9DEwC7RM0
Mari – Boo’d Up – Team Adam Levine – I love everything from her 70’s orange fashion and big afro to her easy jazzy style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfkjSDRyOQc
Celia Babini – idontwannabeyouanymore by Billie Eilish – Team Adam Levine – At 17, Celia has an impressive musicality and ability to pour emotion into a performance. She cuts a striking image on The Voice stage. But Blake is correct. She should have chosen John as her coach!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M3Hv0YZ-D0
Presley Tennant – Stone Cold – Team Kelly Clarkson – Surely, Presley would have been more than a one chair turn if she’d sung earlier in the round. I shared Kelly’s minor outrage that nobody else pressed their button. An impressive pop singer–her power and range can’t be denied.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voHHVFbHQvI
Dexter Roberts – Like a Cowboy – Team Blake Shelton – Yes I can count! But I wanted to give former American Idol season 13 finalist Dexter Roberts a shout out. He’s not the type of singer I usually enjoy. But I can appreciate that he knows his way around a country tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdxoTTHbNnE
