By Erica
I was a crying mess after the performances. There were so many beautiful, heartfelt songs (in the best of ways). I’m not religious, but I am spiritual. The best performances tapped into spirituality, and so many beautiful, uplifting messages that I lost it several times. I typically write notes during each performance. I didn’t do that this time, partly because the fuzzy bastard that is my cat kept stealing the spot where my laptop lives and partly because I simply needed to sit and listen tonight. Just soak it in and feel uplifted.
THE COACHES
Now is the time when the coaches are becoming more and more emotionally invested in their remaining artists. Adam and Blake have been through this wringer time and time again, but it is going to be HARD for Alicia and Miley. Some of Adam and Blake’s performers had ‘fireworks’ which appeared to surprise Miley and Alicia. Not sure if they weren’t paying attention to their options, because one of Miley’s performers used the fog machines to pretty awesome effect! On a side note, I adored both Miley’s and Alicia’s tops this week. I probably couldn’t pull of Miley’s top – big boobs and glitter only work if you are actually Dolly Parton – but I might be able to pull off Alicia’s vertical school marm stripes. Oh, I was so focused on the artist performances I almost forgot to mention that Maroon 5 performed on Monday as well!
THE PERFORMANCES
Before I go ANY further, a HUGE HUGE shoutout to the band. There was a major use of string instruments this week, among other things, from classical to bluegrass to the blues. MAD PROPS to those musicians. I played the violin from grade school to the end of my senior year in high school. I wasn’t very good; I hardly ever practiced and could not tell you about ¾ time versus ¼ time even though I can still read the notes. As far as tempo, I played by ear by listening to my stand partner and the rest of the group. Yup, faked it for 8 years. But 27 years later, I still have such admiration for orchestras, and the beauty of a bow dancing across a violin or a fiddle.
I listened to some of the performances a second time via YouTube, but didn’t watch. Some are even weaker than I thought, and some are definitely stronger than my initial impressions. It is still hard to pick my top 3. They were just. that. good! Honorable mentions this week include Josh Gallagher, Austin Allsup, Brendan Fletcher, and Ali Caldwell. I could gush about all of them, but I am TRYING to keep this blog a reasonable length! Josh: He was clearly having a good time on the stage. So fun to watch. Austin: Love how he mixes it up every week. I LOVED his song choice, but it won’t appeal to other generations (my mom was proof of that). Some people don’t appreciate the 80s. Brendan: His performance was one of the ones that made me cry. But, in full confession not hard to do when you pick True Colors as your song – it usually makes me cry, sometimes at inopportune moments!
MY TOP THREE
Team Adam: Billy Gilman
Song: Anyway by Martina McBride
In a very smart move, Billy went back to his country roots. I don’t recall ever hearing this song, but the lyrics are touching, and he just killed it. His song choice range has been pretty amazing, from Queen to Martina. My first cry of the night.
Team Alicia: We McDonald
Song: God Bless the Child by Billie Holliday
As a former teacher, there has been an extra something wonderful in watching We visibly gain confidence in herself. There has sometimes been a ‘hesitant’ quality to her body language, both in practices and in performances. Something must have clicked tonight, because I really didn’t notice it. When at the end of the song she sings a final “God Bless this Child” and points to herself in almost a chest pounding move, I got chills and another teary moment. Billie Holliday was a brilliant choice.
Team Blake: Sundance Head
Song: Me and Jesus
Probably my favorite Sundance performance ever. He definitely should do more bluegrass! The staging was phenomenal, and the best word I can think of for both Sundance and his performance? Joyful. He was clearly feeling the moment and it showed. I am not a particularly religious person, but this was one of the best spiritual songs I’ve ever heard on the Voice or really any other musical competition show.
FAILED TO IMPRESS
Team Miley: Aaron Gibson
Song: Rocket Man by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Very good song choice for Aaron! Finally a more upbeat song choice NOT in the elimination round. However, listening again, he felt a little off tempo. It might have been his arrangement, but I thought it felt too slow for such an extremely well known song that already isn’t the fastest of Elton’s songs.
Team Blake: Courtney Harrell
Song: If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher
I didn’t mind her performance at first. But then I started to listen to it again via YouTube while I looked at something else. I was SHOCKED on how bad I thought it sounded. Her voice was almost trembly. That can be a nice quality, but not on a Cher song, and especially not on If I Could Turn Back Time! Cher is a confident woman, and she never kicked ass in a song more than in the video for this song. I don’t know if it was nerves or if that is just a quality of her voice, but she deserves to go for this one.
ELIMINATIONS
I had a wicked migraine all day today, and I needed a little Dolly to make me feel better. Aaaah. I would have been a little happier to see her in some behind the scenes interactions, but I’ll take what I can get. I wasn’t sure we’d see her, as I heard that her home is part of the evacuation area of Tennessee. I also love hearing Miley and Dolly sing together, but would have loved seeing the other coaches’ reactions.
For the first time I missed the app warning me it was time to do the twitter save, and I didn’t spoil it for myself. I really wasn’t surprised that Austin Allsup, Courtney Harrell, and Aaron Gibson were in the bottom three. I enjoyed Austin’s performance, but I did worry that it wasn’t the right song choice. Once again, song choice is everything! For their “save me” performances, Austin sang “Tennessee Whiskey,” Courtney sang “Bless the Broken Road,” and Aaron sang “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”
Austin did a great job, but there was something in his face that said to me that he knew his time was up. He made a point of walking to the side of the stage where his family was sitting to say I love you. I wonder if he had picked something a bit more upbeat and fun it would have been better. Courtney was shaky again. Has she been this way the whole time and I have ignored it? I feel that she was slightly off key a couple of times even! Aaron straight up gave one of his best performances, which had Miley crying. That and plea from ADAM that Aaron needs to be the person to move forward helped Aaron win the Instant Save for a THIRD time, sending Austin and Courtney home in a double whammy for Team Blake.
Next week, the semi-finals!
Erica, great job! Love Miley’s look! Thanks
Good job on the recap. I havent been watching, but I did see Miley and Dolly perform. Miley is actually a very good singer.
Check out some of her performances on the Tonight show’s youtube – especially Its My Party with the Roots. It is one of my favorite.
Love this Recap, since I did not have time to watch.
The song “Anyway” by Martine McBride is so powerful. When I first heard it a few years ago, I ran out to buy the CD “Waking up Laughing”. I so love all her songs – number ONE fan -.
I always get emotional when I hear this song. It’s a song about Hope, Love, Perseverance and mostly Faith!
Billy Gillman did an amazing job with the rendition of this song (After your Recap, watched it on YouTube).
Finals? – Hopefully -.
I live this show! I watched the beginning this year then skipped a few weeks.
The opening number with Dolly and Nettles had me hooked. Miley and Alicia’s addition to the Voice this year had been a gold mine for music lovers.
These two women especially Miley’s knowledge of song, performance and arrangement is top hat, a part of Miley we don’t see often.
Maroon 5 was a great addition.
I don’t have a favorite, I watch for the music and interactions between judges.
We are given a full musical production.
Another good recap! I also want Christian to get a shout out for his heart wrenching performance! Brendan finally found his lane and shined. Just don’t care for Billy. He can sing well no doubt but he never seems like he connects with his songs, he just sings. Martina McBride’s “Anyway” is one of my FAVORITE songs. He gave no emotion to it so I wanted him to go but then heard Aaron and Courtney perform and was ready to pay for both their cab fare home. I loved Austin’s song because it was pure country so I was hoping the country voters would pull him through. Disliked We’s arrangement with the opera at end. Weird. Sundance…amazing performance. Aaron should have gone not Austin IMO.
I was sad to see Austin go – but honestly, I have never thought he would be the last one standing when Josh and Sundance also sing country- and Josh killed his performance.
I totally agree Erica! They both have been my favs from the beginning.
Loved everyone’s performances this week! Did not like Aaron’s Rocket Man but LOVED the song he sang for the instant save.
Sundance totally stole the show last night and I got chills during the 2nd half of Cristians performance!
Austin and Courtney both had me crying during eliminations: Austin when they tried to make him cry on tv for asking a tough question and Courtney for her graciousness to Blake and how she faced her fears.
Christian and We had best songs for me this week. I really enjoyed Sundance and love the song. He is in my top 3 but I think the other 2 had songs with an impact and those are the type that will win the show. All in all I really relate with all the music that was done. That being said if you don’t do it really well when it’s really relatable songs like Cher it stands out like a sore thumb.
I totally forgot to point out that Blake went from having a full team of 3, down to 1… he’s lucky his remaining person is Sundance! Adam can gloat – he still has his 3!
I think Miley is the designated winning coach this year even though she doesn’t have the strongest singers.
I was hoping Austin would not be voted off, but have felt all along his 80’s look just doesn’t resonate with many people. When it came to a country artist, I actually prefered Austin to Sundance. Aaron mumbles his way through a song making him difficult to understand and I felt it was his time. If I hadn’t known the words to Rocket Man I would have never understood what he was singing. Oh well, saved again. Relieved Courtney finally got the boot. She has been terrible and I wondered why Blake continued to allow her to perform so badly. Flat, off key and shaky every performance. I am still not a fan of Billy. The above commenter, Rita, hit the nail on the head when she mentioned that he doesn’t connect with the music. He has a good singing voice but he lacks the emotion that gives music life.
Another wonderful recap, Erica. I have enjoyed all of your recaps. Thank you.
Thanks for the recap Erica. I was thrilled that Aaron was saved again, but said to see Austing go. I thought Sundance had the performance of the night. I thought Allie had her best performance however my DVR was cutting in and out, so perhaps I missed something since there isn’t much discussion of her this week. It was weird not being able to vote this week since I had other stuff going on that had me away from my technology! GASP! Thank God Adam told his people to vote for Aaron, which I think he mostly did to piss off Blake. Blake was at a disadvantage with his followers having to vote for two people.
I know Aaron won’t win, but I like having diffeernt genres at the end. I still am not feeling BIlly. I guess I’m the only one.
Thanks, TT! I’m kind of regretting not having more than the top three – Ali and that dress and the smoke, it was a complete performance!! Christian was also really good, and Brendan was #2 on the iTunes sales.
Really, everyone was good except for Courtney and Aaron’s first performance. I loved his save performance though. Had a hard time picking who to profile this week, period! I blame the migraine.
I totally agree about the different genres, it will make for a fun finale.
I liked your recap, Erica.
Here are my rankings after the top 10 performances. I was a little surprised that Austin left the show but … he wasn’t going to be on the show much longer because the other singers are so good and getting better. I’m not connecting with the females this season. Wé and Ali are so talented but I haven’t been stumping for them.
Billy Gilman – Anyway flawless, he’s good at everything but country seemed to relax him and he needs that.
Christian Cuevas – Million Reasons, his voice is flawless, he connected to the song and that is great to watch. (when it isn’t forced)
Brendan Fletcher – True Colors, this was his best performance, I can tell that Adam is in awe of him and now I really see why
Josh Gallagher – Real Good Man, great performance and I enjoy watching him, he is enjoying every moment
Sundance Head – Me and Jesus, I’m not a big bluegrass country fan but he can sing and he is likable
Wé McDonald – God Bless the Child, great as always, I didn’t like adding opera to the last note but aside from that she is great
Austin Allsup – Missing You, really good, the others are out singing him
Ali Caldwell – Without You, she over-sings and I am over that
Aaron Gibson – Rocket Man, it was good and I like his voice, but the others are stepping it up
Courtney Harrell – If I Could Turn Back Time, she hasn’t been good for a few weeks, she is ultra talented but not as good as the others.
I think Aaron and Courtney will go. Ali needs better song choices. Adding after the elimination: Aaron’s safe song was really good.
OK… if I get another migraine while trying to recap, I know who to contact as a backup!!!
Had to come back over and listen to me some Sundance again. Also gave Brendan another listen. I peeked at the Youtube hits and Billy has over a million. Twice as many as everyone else. I’m trying to remember, I think it comes down to a final two. I suppose it will be Billy and either Sundance or We. I’d love Sundance to win but while it is possible, he’s a long shot. The good news is he will now how ALL of Blakes fans, and probably Gwen’s too. That’s a big social media push.
Sundance makes me feel better. If I actually listened to music at home, I would buy his stuff.
Aaron will probably be the next to do unless someone really screws up next week. I guess we could lose Brandon. Brandon and Aaron probably have a similiar following since I like them both. Then again, I’m weird so who knows.
My least favorites are Aaron and the guy with no expression.. don’t even remember his name
Both put me to sleep.
We has consistently amazed me. Her voice is fantastic and I hope she has a long career. Sundance and Cuevas also get me to pay attention.