Are you guys ready? I’ll be live blogging the new season of The Voice! Join us tonight while I live blog the premiere.
I still prefer Shakira and Usher, but I didn’t mind have Christina and Cee Lo back on the team as much as I thought I would. Christina seems less cranky. But maybe that’s how she’s been edited. I’ll probably change my mind when the live shows begin. I feel sorry for anyone who chooses Cee Lo as a coach. But then, Shakira, as adorable as she was, floundered when it came time to guide her charges. Neither is good at picking songs.
The blind auditions are the highlight of the competition. Well edited, the judges know they are there to entertain and that they do. They play out their competitive spirits with good natured ribbing that never crosses a line. It’s fun to watch. They provide constructive criticism and a pat on the head to the contestants who don’t make the cut.
The talent was pretty good tonight. My favorites were rocker girl, Kat Roubichaud. Yes, she’s a bar singer and verges on karaoke, but I like her style. Matthew Schuler and James Wolpert fill the indie guy bill very well. And Josh Logan has a convincing retro rocker vibe. I suspect he’ll go very far.
Tomorrow, premiere week continues, with two more hours of The Voice! Join me, will you?
Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green rejoin Adam Levine and Blake Shelton on the panel.
Blah blah blah. Explain the game, introduce the coaches. Let’s get on with it! Finally. The SUPERSTAR COACHES take the stage to sing Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock N Roll.” Look at you Xtina all slinky. She’s lost a lot of weight. She looks so tiny next to Blake. Blake! Adam! DUELLING GUITARS. Well, that was an energetic way to begin the show.
Hello host, Carson Daly.
Kat Roubichaud – “I Got the Music In Me” – She loves 70’s glam rock. Her dad raised her on musicals. She joined a band her senior year in college. She met her husband on the road. Her dad passed away in February. Kat in a nutshell Dad was a Voice fan and she just wants to make him proud. She’s got a growly rock voice that is not unpleasant. Gravelly, but with a nice texture. Blake and Cee Lo turn around at the same time. She’s got a Jim Morrison vibe going and her rock kick is awesome. Eventually they all turn their chairs. Adam calls her Raspy McRasperson. Cee Lo calls her RAW. Kat chooses Team Cee Lo – Kat was the lead singer for a Raleigh based band called The Design, a “high energy cover band.”
Caroline Pennell – “Anything Could Happen” – 17 year old student. She’s very shy. Caroline’s dad is with her. She has a squeaky, little, tentative speaking voice. She’s intimidated to perform in front of the SUPERSTAR COACHES. She has exactly the kind of voice I expected. She’s all quirky indie girl. Cee Lo and Blake are the first to turn around. Her take on the song is all slowed up, indie girl style. We’ve already seen this on The Voice a million times. Cee Lo quizzes her about her influences and she doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about. They all find her adorable. She’s twee by half, and will likely get on my nerves if she lasts. Cee Lo loves her quirk. They are kindred spirits! She buys it. Caroline chooses Team Cee Lo Caroline released an independent CD. A cover of The Lumineers Hey Ho.
Donna Allen – “You Are So Beautiful” – She’s the oldest contestant and was a part of Miami Sound Machine back in the day (She was also a cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the late 70?s, and had some hits on the UK Dance chart in the 80s/90s, as well as a song on the “The Specialist” soundtrack in 1994.) But she stopped touring to raise her boy, Marcus, who is there with her. See? Transparency. The Voice gets it right. Christina and Adam turn around IMMEDIATELY. She’s got a soulful voice, with a nice rasp that compliments her phrasing. A total Tina Turner vibe. But, she’s super old fashioned. I’ll be shocked if she makes it to the live shows. Christina says her voice is like the heavens opening up. Blake thinks she should pick Christina. That’s why he didn’t hit his button. Christina doesn’t shut up. Adam gets a word in edgewise, finally. He thinks ALL 4 COACHES should have turned around. He felt it was like an end of the season performance. Donna chooses Team Adam. Well. THAT’S A SHOCK. Adam runs up on stage and pulls Donna into a big bear hug. She wraps her legs around him. Check out Donna’s pre-Voice work – YouTube, YouTube
Jake Worthington – “Keep Your Hands To Yourself” – 17 year old country singer. He goes fourwheelin’ and fishin’. He’s a good ole boy. Video package includes he and his buddies going BUCKWILD. His friends convinced him, so he’s MANNED UP and auditioning for The Voice. He’s super nervous. Eyes closed, he has a great tone but watching him? He looks super awkward. NO to the dancing. This is a karaoke performance. It’s not a surprise the coaches don’t turn around. Blake suggests that he work on his voice so he doesn’t run out of breath.
Matthew Schuler – “Cough Syrup” – Rugby player. He works at a bagel shop in the college town where he lives. His dad is a pastor, but he lost the lease on his church. His entire family is there to back him up. This guy, an African American, reminds me A LOT of Burnell Taylor from Idol, but with hipper taste in music. He’s good . Passionate delivery, great tone, interesting phrasing. Every coach turns around and gives him a standing ovation. Christina STANDS ON HER CHAIR. She runs up on stage to give him a big hug. All the coaches plead their case, but in the end, Matthew chooses Team Christina.
Nic Hawk – “Hit em Up Style” – He describes himself as the male Jesse J. He’s a musical theater kid. He moved back in with his mother after his dad deserted the family. He teaches hip hop to make ends meet. Adam turns around right away. I don’t know. His vocal is kind of nasally and unpleasant. Cee Lo turns around. “What’s going on handsome,” Nick says to Adam after his perfomance. That’s funny. Adam thinks he’s phenomenal–really impressed with with his timing and breath control. Cee Lo also impressed with the way he handled a difficult song. He does have good timing, but his tone is unremarkable. If he turns out to be a great performer, he could win me over. He may not choose Adam because his good looks will distract him. This guy is really funny. Nic chooses Team Adam. Hopefully he can control himself. Snerk.
Next a montage of singers that didn’t get a swivel. SADZ. More or less, the coaches advise they keep working at it. They leave everyone feeling good!
Matthew Breas – “I Want You Back – 15 year old. His parents are from Haiti. He lost his 2 year old brother when he was 7. He sang “How Great Thou Art” at his funeral and couldn’t finish. He’s still broken up about it. This kid is NOT ready for prime time. The potential is there, but he’s rough around the edges and lacks a distinct style. And nobody turns around. Come back next year kid! Cee Lo is surprised to find a child standing in front of him. Christina asks him for a hug. They make him promise not to give up. He leaves the stage crying. Cee Lo heads backstage to comfort him. Aw.
Shelbie Z – “I’m Here for the Party” – This southern belle was a pageant kid, but she stopped at 10 when kids began teasing her about her weight. Now she devotes herself to music. A powerful voice, she’s feisty and has stage presence. Miss Moxie! When she hits the stage, she has a confidence that was missing from her video package. Blake turns right away and is singing along. He battles it out with Christina for her affection. And of course, Shelbie chooses Team Blake. Check out this Loretta Lynn cover she posted pre-Voice.
Josh Logan – “Too Close” – He’s 33. He was a teen father at 16. He had to step it up to help raise him, so he worked construction for a few years. His voice has an appealing rasp and is very soulful. OK. I like this guy. Everyone turns for Josh, except for Cee Lo. Adam thought he sounded like the original performer. Blake digs his runs. He has a man crush on Josh. Josh admits that he likes Stevie Wonder. Blake and Adam snark at each other, but it ends in a bro hug. Josh chooses Team Christina. Josh was a contestant on Rockstar: Supernova in 2006. Here he is covering “She Talks to Angels.” Yeah. That was a Mark Burnett production too.
Delvin Choice – “Closer” – Right off the bat, this guy is a character. He’s a “tall dark glass of chocolate.” Oh. He works for The Voice sponsor, Starbucks. He sings his orders. he studied classical music and has done some musicals. Unfortunately, he’s got more personality than singing chops. Nobody turns around for him. The chorus was better than the wonky verse. He’s got some pitch problems. He needs to develop some vocal dynamics–take the song someplace. Adam suggest he comes back.
James Wolpert – “Love Interruption” – He’s from Lancaster, PA. But he’s not Amish! He studied art at Carnegie Mellon. An excellent college in case you didn’t know. He put school on hold to do follow his dreams. He worked at an Apple store. This guy, is like a male Michelle Chamuel. He’s got an interesting vibe. His phrasing is fantastic. Dude can really tell a story with his voice. Really great dynamics and unexpected twists. When he hits the chorus, buttons are hit. Christina finally pushes her button after he wails the last note. Adam loves the character in his voice. He wasn’t expecting a nerdy guy. Christina and James bond over their Pittsburgh roots. HOLLAH HOOLAH HOLLAH. Christina says he’s the reason why she’s glad she came back to the show. The coaches fight hard for James, but eventually James chooses Team Adam. James competed on the ABC High School Musical series, Get In The Picture in 2008. Watch him perform. He earned a spot in the chorus. Youtube channel.
