Eleven artists performed on Monday night’s The Voice, but only 10 will move on. With the Thanksgiving holiday this week, the show featured the Top 11’s families as the contestants prepared for the competition.
Despite being known as a country artist, Team Adam Levine‘s Shelby Brown opened the night with Lady Gaga‘s “You and I.”
Blake Shelton told her, “I think that was my favorite performance from you so far. It was something where you could show your range.” Pharrell Williams agreed with Blake, saying, “You came out here like a cannon. This was definitely one of your most comfortable performances.” Gwen Stefani felt that the song was made for Shelby, but added, “One bit of advice. I would save your growl and make it more special.” Adam told Shelby, “I am so proud. She made me promise to get her a giraffe if she did good. She earned a giraffe because she killed it.”
Next on stage was Team Pharrell’s R&B singer Evan McKeel, who went classic with “Smile” by Nat King Cole.
Gwen told Evan, “That was so beautiful. That was definitely my favorite performance of yours on the show. The tone… it let your voice shine.” Blake felt that Evan did a “great job,” while his coach commented, “You sounded great like you always do. The difference is that today you let people in. It was a super intimate moment where you let people in NBC land connect with you. That is a smart move.”
Team Blake’s country/soul singer Barrett Baber also performed a classic, albeit a country classic, belting out “Delta Dawn” by Tanya Tucker. Before he performed, his wife told the story of how they met at a frat house, but didn’t get together until later on when they were both single at the same time – and at the same frat house again.
Gwen said, “You are amazing. You are manning the stage. You get up there and command the whole room. It is beyond the singing.” Adam told him, “I loved seeing that energetic side of you tonight. It was really fun.” And his coach enthused, “This was the biggest night you’ve had on the show so far. A song that has nothing to do with going to church, you took us all to church.”
Saved by the number of tweets she received last week after the Instant Save, Korin Bukowski chose Mandy Moore‘s “Only Hope” to win voters over this week. At rehearsal, Korin’s dad Steve Bukowski revealed to Gwen that Korin used to sing her songs, especially “Just a Girl” – and they showed a video.
Adam complimented her, “I think one of the hardest things to do as an artist, especially when you are younger, and what I am proud of you for, is you’re making the music you want to do and in your own way. That individuality is 99 percent of this.” Pharrell told her, “After our talk last week, tonight you weren’t nervous. You’ve come into your own and you know this is your moment. Gwen is doing a great job with you.” Coach Gwen said, “I am so happy you get this moment in your life. You are all sparkly and beautiful and that song meant so much to you. To have that message go out through you, that is powerful.”
Team Adam’s singer/songwriter Amy Vachal took on Taylor Swift‘s “Blank Space.” In rehearsal, she told Adam that her dad — a doppelganger for Breaking Bad‘s Walter White — taught her to play guitar.
Blake commented, “I love these flips that you guys are doing. That may be my favorite vocal from you so far. To hear the lower register of your voice … I have never heard it so clear and so loud.” Pharrell, her former coach, said, “The way you are doing these songs, it frames your voice so well.” Coach Adam told her, “I am so proud of you, the way you’ve won this season is taking your own approach to songs. That is the artistry that I love.”
Teen heartthrob Zach Seabaugh, whose mom came to rehearsal with him and Blake, went classic country with “Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not” by Thompson Square.
Gwen said, “I feel that was cheating to do that song because you already have all the cute girls who want to vote for you, and then you go and do that song. It was the perfect song for you. You know I am a fan.” Adam teased, “It’s a shame the girls don’t like you. All the cute stuff aside, you have the chops. You can sing. It kind of pisses me off.” Blake said, “This is a big night for you, buddy. Does he not have some Elvis in him, or is that just me? I am glad to hear what Adam said. Your singing was spot on. That’s the important thing.”
Indie artist Madi Davis brought her mom to meet Pharrell during rehearsal. Madi chose “Love is Blindness” by U2 as her song for the week.
Adam admitted that he had no idea that Madi had that in her. “I am so shocked,” he said. “It is so different than anything you have done. It was so amazing.” Blake went out on a limb, calling it the best performance of the night, because there was “a connection between artist and song.” Pharrell pointed out, “Your parents and family and friends must be so proud of you. That was amazing.”
Braiden Sunshine brought his father to rehearsal with Gwen. Dad was pleased to see that Gwen is maternal toward Braiden, not just his coach. The 15-year-old selected “True” by Spandau Ballet as his song choice.
Blake said, “It is just magic. It is just odd enough of a song choice, but the pairing of you two is one of my favorite things to see on the show. I am glad you went along with Gwen because you took it and made it your own. Pharrell complimented Braiden, saying, “The big note in the middle that you held forever was crazy. I like the subtle small runs that you do. There is so much control.” Gwen said, “I keep doing this mom thing. I am blown away by you. Your tone. Your notes. It was so good. I am shocked because you did so much of your own stuff to that song.
Jordan Smith brought his mom Geri Smith, who gave Adam some scoop on her son. She told him that he hummed before he talked, and that when he was young, he came up with an imaginary band named the Amazing Lizards. After last week’s gospel song, Jordan went pop this week with Jesse J‘s “Who You Are.”
Pharrell told Jordan, “Your attention to detail when you sing is remarkable to watch. It is so effortless when you sing. The people can feel it.” Gwen also complimented him, saying, “It is hard to speak after that. How good does it feel to be as good as you are, and go up there and use your gift? You must feel so incredible.” Adam said he didn’t have enough time for all he wanted to say, but he wanted us to know that “you are one of the best performers I know because you do the impossible. You sing like you do but do it with conviction that keeps people with you.”
Emily Ann Roberts brought her father Tommy Roberts to rehearsal. Tommy told Blake how Emily Ann used to sing along to the radio in the car when she was a little bitty thing. “It was a hoot,” he said. Emily Ann said her dad is the biggest influence in the kind of music she loves. The only female member of Blake’s team showed her bluegrass side on The Judds‘ “Why Not Me.”
Pharrell admitted, “I don’t know country music as well as you. When you sing those songs, you make it clear they are classic songs. Your runs are clean. Who are you? Where do you come from? It is amazing how classic your voice is.” Blake simply said, “You are going to be around for a long, long time.”
Team Gwen’s Jeffrey Austin closed out the night performing a stripped-down version of “Dancing on My Own” by Robun.
Adam told him, “I always look forward to hearing you sing. There is just something about your voice. You can’t teach the unique quality that you have. You have done an incredible job.” Blake said, ” I will be honest with you. Jeffrey could win The Voice this season. Gwen could be the first female coach to win.” Gwen said, “I am blown away. You are so gifted. You move me to tears. I am so grateful to know you and be a part of this.”
The Voice returns on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. on NBC when the Top 11 will become the Top 10. Tune in to find out who goes home.
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