The Voice kicked off the all-important battle rounds on Monday night (April 15) which also saw the return of the steal, which allows fellow coaches to steal a losing contestant. This year Adam was joined by Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum Shakira was joined by Joel Madden of Good Charlotte, Blake was advised by Sheryl Crow, while Usher had Pharrell Williams with him.
The night kicked off with a great performance of “Try” by Pink from Team Adam’s Amber Carrington and Sasha Allen. Afterwards, Blake said Amber was a bit of a surprise while Shakira said she was impressed and that they’re two of Adam’s best. Adam said he was proud and said it was one of the best battle rounds they’ve had on the show. Adam picked Amber to win.
Usher and Shakira both pressed their steal buttons for Sasha – she went with her gut feeling and went with Shakira.
The night kicked off with a great performance of “Try” by Pink from Team Adam’s Amber Carrington and Sasha Allen. Afterwards, Blake said Amber was a bit of a surprise while Shakira said she was impressed and that they’re two of Adam’s best. Adam said he was proud and said it was one of the best battle rounds they’ve had on the show. Adam picked Amber to win.
Usher and Shakira both pressed their steal buttons for Sasha – she went with her gut feeling and went with Shakira.
Then it was time for Shakira’s first battle round, Garrett Gardner vs. J’Sun with a performance of “How Do You Like Me Now.” Both Adam and Blake complimented Garrett and his improvement from last season to now While Usher would’ve picked J’Sun and Blake said he would pick Garrett, Shakira agreed and decided to go with Garrett.
Team Blake’s Holly Tucker and Michelle Raitzin was up next with “Blown Away” by Carrie Underwood – a performance that got a standing ovation from Blake. Shakira called it a “fierce” battle. One of my favorite moments was when Blake asked Carson if he could keep them both and Carson said that’s not an option to which Blake replied with a very funny “well screw you” – in the end though he decided to go with Holly.
Then we got a taste of Usher’s unique and very serious style of coaching when he had Jess Kellner and Taylor Beckham battle it out to “You Know I’m No Good.” Shakira and Adam said they would’ve picked Taylor while Blake actually enjoyed Jess more, Usher happened to agree crowning Jess the winner of battle.
As soon as Taylor said her teary goodbye, Blake decided to steal her claiming he used reverse psychology toward Usher to land her on his team.
Blake’s second battle of the night was Christian Porter vs. The Swon Brothers with “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty. Shakira said she would’ve picked The Swon Brothers while Adam really loved what Christian did with his presentation. Blake wanted to stick with what he knew and went with The Swon Brothers. This was one of my favorite performances of the night, nothing against The Swon Brothers, I enjoyed their performance, but personally I think Christian should’ve won, what are your thoughts?
Then it was time for the final and possibly one of the best battles when Team Adam’s Judith Hill and Karina Iglesias took on each other with “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by James Brown in an epic performance that had all four coaches on their feet. Blake and Shakira both agreed it was a bad idea to put them both together. Adam called it not a great battle but the greatest battle they’ve ever had on the show. In a tough decision, Adam went with Judith.
Shakira came into steal Karina using up her second and final steal of the competition.
BATTLE ROUNDS: NIGHT 2 (4/16)
The battle of the night was country singers Michael Austin vs. Warren Stone from Team Adam who performed “My Kinda Party” by Jason Aldean. Blake said it felt like Michael captured it well and Warren was a bit smoother. He said he would pick Michael while Usher would lean toward Warren. Adam agreed and decided to take Warren for the diversity of his voice.
Then it was time for Team Usher’s Jeff Lewis and Josiah Hawley who were assigned “Roxanne” by The Police. The studio sessions showed that Usher wasn’t particularly impressed with either of them, especially Jeff who started laughing at the end of the first run through and Usher didn’t take it well. Usher’s tough love paid off because the battle was pretty good. However, Shakira and Adam both agreed that it was the wrong song choice but Blake enjoyed it. In the end, Usher gave it to Josiah. What are your thoughts on Usher's very serious style of coaching?
Then it was time for Team Usher’s Jeff Lewis and Josiah Hawley who were assigned “Roxanne” by The Police. The studio sessions showed that Usher wasn’t particularly impressed with either of them, especially Jeff who started laughing at the end of the first run through and Usher didn’t take it well. Usher’s tough love paid off because the battle was pretty good. However, Shakira and Adam both agreed that it was the wrong song choice but Blake enjoyed it. In the end, Usher gave it to Josiah. What are your thoughts on Usher's very serious style of coaching?
A quick recap would show that in Team Blake’s battle of Trevor Davis vs. Grace Askew that Grace would come out victorious, on Team Usher Audrey Karrasch and Jamila Thompson battled it out to “If I Were A Boy” where Audrey came out the winner. Meanwhile in Shakira’s only battle of the night Tawnya Reynolds proved to be better over Mark Andrew.
The final battle of the night was Team Blake’s Caroline Glaser vs. Danielle Bradbery with “Put Your Records On.” Shakira enjoyed the performance calling it “as refreshing as tangerine ice cream.” Blake decided to go with Danielle.
But Caroline wasn’t sad for long though, Usher and Adam immediately pressed their steal buttons. After both of them pleaded with her to join them, she went with Adam, his first steal of the season.
With the first week of the battle rounds complete, here's a look at where the team's stand:
Team Adam Amber Carrington Judith Hill Warren Stone Caroline Glaser | Team Blake Holly Tucker Taylor Beckham The Swon Brothers Grace Askew Danielle Bradbery | Team Usher Jess Kellner Josiah Hawley Audrey Karrasch | Team Shakira Sasha Allen Garrett Gardner Karina Iglesias Tawnya Reynolds |
The battle rounds continue next Monday and Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC and the promos show that Usher seems to challenge the rules of the show a bit with one of his battles or steals. We’ll have to tune in to find out what happens!
Who was your favorite battle this week? Did your favorite move on to the knockouts yet?
Posted By: Joe
Who was your favorite battle this week? Did your favorite move on to the knockouts yet?
Posted By: Joe
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