The Voice: Semi Finals

By Erica

I had an inkling tonight was going to be good, because my phone notifications started blowing up with TT tweeting to me. Always a good sign that we are in for a Monday night treat.

As for the outfits, Adam is wearing one of his best sweater cardigan’s yet, and I think that Miley is wearing my favorite dress that has every appeared on the show. Honestly, who ever designed that needs to design Miley’s wedding dress, if she ever marries that hottie Hemsworth vegan guy. Totally adorable.

THE PERFORMANCES

It is duet night! THESE DUETS COUNT FOR VOTES. Not sure exactly how it works, but the iTunes sales definitely are part of that benefit.

Adam Cunningham, Team Adam.

Song: I’m Already There by Lonestar

Y’all know that Adam C. hasn’t always been my favorite. Last week I mentioned that he doesn’t give me goosebumps or make me cry. Well, he made me cry dammit. I honestly don’t know how you can’t if you hear this song and you’ve ever have a loved one who has to be away from his or her family in order to provide for them. He was feeling every moment. That emotion added an extra something to the performance for me.

DUET: Chloe Kohanski (B) and Noah Mac (J)

Song: Wicked Game by Chris Isaak

I went from tears at Adam’s performance to ALL OVER BODY CHILLS with this one. The pairing of these two is INSPIRED. Chloe is a bit of a chameleon in terms of genres, and perfectly matched up with Noah’s style I can only describe as “modern retro”. It might just be editing, but I think these two are also well matched in their love of arranging their own music and figuring out costumes or stage settings. I loved this song in college, and now I wonder how the HELL it has never been sung as a duet before. They made it seem like it is MEANT to be one.

Davon Fleming, Team Jennifer

Song: Gravity by John Mayer

YES! YES! YES! Both Tamara and I have said we love Davon’s talent, but we were over his singing distinctly diva female songs. Last week’s near miss in going home REALLY lit a fire under Davon, both in his “save” performance and this Monday’s performance. Davon “dialed it back” a bit with this EXCELLENT song choice; in doing so, he allowed to see the real strength of his talents. I think that he has cried after every performance, and I adore him even more for it.

Red Marlow, Team Blake

Song: Go Rest High on that Mountain by Vince Gill

Tamara also tweeted to me about this, saying “Red just won all the southern church crowd who are all crying right now.” Well, I’m neither a church goer or Southern, so no wonder it left me kind of flat. She’s right though. It is trending on iTunes. Overly Christian country and rock genre is NOT my jam, so hard for me to fairly critique it. Red needed to take some bigger risks, showing his diversity (if he actually has some). Having a classic sound is fantastic, especially needed in country right now. But you still need to show that you aren’t DATED or stuck in one very narrow lane if you are going to win The Voice.

DUET: Brooke Simpson (M) and Davon Fleming (J)

Song: Earned It (Fifty Shades of Gray) by the Weeknd

I’m having a hard time reviewing this one. I disliked the song choice immensely, although I understand that it may have been a good strategic choice considering it is by the Weeknd AND is from a popular movie. Brooke and Davon pulled out all the stops. They performed so damn well together, and their personalities shined up on that stage. Brooke especially looked as if she was really into the moment.

Keisha Renee, Team Blake

Song: What Hurts the Most by Rascal Flatts

Brilliant song choice, and not only because Rascal Flatts usually do have a slight thread of pop in their country songs which is perfect for Keisha’s voice and her story. It was also brilliant because it gave a very natural reason for Blake to remind all his country fans, who probably are fans of Rascal Flatts, that they were the guest mentors for Blake this season and they LOOOOOOVED Keisha. At one point, they even suggested that Keisha meet up with them while they are on tour and sing some songs for their crowd. You bet that THAT was mentioned as well, and not only when they had Keisha skype with the head singer! I have a teeny concern about her vocal cords. It was VERY slight, but there was a line or two where her voice sounded a little strained. Perhaps a cold or the smoke from all the fires?

Adam Cunningham (A) and Red Marlow (B)

Song: Can’t You See by the Marshall Tucker Band

A bit of a jaunty song pick that really showed that Adam being on his A game this week wasn’t just a one hit wonder. He showed up Red, although it was lovely to see Red mix it up. Frankly, I think it just highlighted my point that Red hasn’t diversified enough especially in the rounds. Maybe it should have been RED singing Chicken Fried last week instead of Ashland.

Chloe Kohanski, Team Blake

Song: I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner

I didn’t save past episodes, but this definitely isn’t the first time she’s had her practice session on the stage instead of the rehearsal room. I love that they are willing to set up the cameras, etc. and really honor her process if that is the reason (as I now suspect it is). Chloe really seems to have a growing grasp on who she is as an artist and where she fits in. It appears that she really has strong ideas about her musical arrangements and outfits, and she has the skill set to see that happen. Anyone willing to take on Foreigner and KILLS IT has my vote. Week after week, I can’t wait to see her change it up yet again while still giving us a high level vocal performance that would hold its own without all the bells and whistles.

DUET: Addison Agen (A) and Keisha Renee (B)

Song: Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow

This didn’t have all the flash and “WOW” and business of the Chloe/Noah and Davon/Brooke duets. Nor did it have the ease of “we sing in the same genre” that Adam/Red duet had. So I think whomever said “hey, you two should sing a Sheryl Crow song” should be given a bonus. Sheryl Crow herself kind of defies genre labels. Is she folk? Country? Rock? Well, yes, yes, and yes. This song choice allowed Keisha to clearly keep her country vibrato and keep her budding country fans pleased, but didn’t force Addison to match that genre feel and stay in HER lane. Their pre-performance taped interview of why they like and admire each other was so very sweet and sincere sounding too.

Noah Mac, Team Jennifer

Song: River by Bishop Briggs

Jennifer said it best “Noah knows very well who he is”. I’m 46 and there are times I’m still wondering what I’ll be when I grow up. His personal knowledge of music in general is impressive, especially for a kid his age. This week he wanted to mix it up and get back to a harder (alternative) rock style. I’m not familiar with the song that he sang (at least not with this arrangement) but it was fascinating like all his others. Noah’s sets feel very different than the others. I think that he is just as involved in the fine details of planning those and that is why it is often different in feel. Miley said he has a reason for everything he does and sings. Totally sums him up. Do I think he will win? No. Do I think he will still be a great example of how you can benefit from getting to this point on the show without being the winner? Oh hell yes.

Addison Agen, Team Adam

Song: Both Sides, Now by Joni MItchell

I sometimes find it strange if an artist picks the same songwriter/singer more than once. But even though Addison doesn’t sound like her, Joni Mitchell’s songs just fit Addison’s voice and sense of story so damn well how could they not? Her unique vibrato is stunning in this performance. Not every singer can hold their own against a large number of string instruments behind them, when it isn’t a classic or Broadway song, but she OWNS it. Kudos and credit also goes to the musical arranger/leader on the show again. So often, even on the Oscars where everyone is supposedly so professional, I’ve found that the orchestra drowns out the singer. It drives me nuts.

Brooke Simpson, Team Miley

Song: Faithfully by Journey

It takes some serious brass ovaries to take on a Journey favorite, and not everyone succeeds when they do it. Brooke KILLS IT. Her personality and commitment to the stage performance is such a good fit with Miley. I love it when an artist knows they are doing well early on in the song, and then punches it up a notch like she did. She had the crowd in the palm of her hand the moment she sang that first iconic lyric “The road is no place to raise a family”, and she kept them there.

WHO WILL GO ON TO THE FINALE?

I was in no doubt last week about the final four. This week, not so sure. For sure Addison and Chloe. But as of 11:44 PST, the ranking of the Voice songs are as follows: #1 – Chloe, #2 – Addison, #3 – Chloe & Noah, #5 – Red (TT was right), #6 – Brooke, and #8 – Davon. Yes, a full 60 percent of the Voice is dominating the Top 10 (which is when the multiplier kicks in)

But I’m STUNNED that #12 is Noah. Depending on how long it is open, he COULD make it to top 10. Thought he was too alternative for the masses. #14 – Adam & Red, #16 – Adam, #20 – Addison & Keisha, #22 – Keisha, #24 – Brooke & Davon.

I’m hoping for Chloe, Addison, Brooke, and now Davon in the finale.