The Top 12 took to The Voice stage on Monday night for their next live performance after last week’s big elimination which cut the number of artists from 20 down to 12.
The coaches – Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Pharrell Williams were on their own this week – no guest coaches allowed — as they prepared each of their three artists for the next step in the competition.
Team Blake’s classic country singer Mary Sarah was the first performer of the night. She went contemporary for her Top 12 performance, singing Carrie Underwood‘s “So Small.”
Christina told her, “That was a beautiful song. I wasn’t too familiar with it. You did a great job. It was a solid performance.” Pharrell agreed and asked her if she ever thought when she was working at Boot Barn that she would be hitting those high notes in front of Blake Shelton. Adam felt it was so cool that she did that song, adding, “We thought you were an old-school singer but with a contemporary song, you did your own thing and didn’t copy Carrie Underwood.” Blake said he knew she did her job because he completely got wrapped up in the lyrics of the song, something he hadn’t done before. She delivered the message to him. Plus, she figured out a way to walk the fine line of traditional country feeling with a contemporary touch.
Next, Laith Al-Saadi from Team Adam belted out the blues with “Born Under a Bad Sign” by Albert King.
Blake admitted he didn’t know that much about the blues. He doesn’t know the good from the bad, but his feeling was that Laith has to be to be as good as it gets with his big voice and big beard. It is definitely working for him. Pharrell pointed out that Laith is the real thing. He has the real spirit. He is a real guitar player. Plus, the guitar solo at the end was amazing. Adam said he was so proud to have Laith on his team because he is so different. Having him on The Voice is refreshing because he broadens the spectrum of what the music is. There hasn’t been anyone like him on the show before. Adam said was beyond proud of him.
The last male standing on Team Pharrell and the comeback artist who made it through to the Top 12 — Daniel Passino — was up next. He chose Michael Jackson‘s “Human Nature” because the origin of everything he loves about pop music started with Michael.
Adam declared that he was amazed at what confidence does for a person. He felt that Daniel had turned into this different human being. He was so comfortable on stage, so smooth and he looked as if he was having fun. He was impressed by that. Christina said, “Damn, Daniel that was awesome. Pharrell has definitely built up your confidence.” Pharrell modestly stated that he really couldn’t accept any praise from the transition. It was all up to Daniel. Pharrell thought that in his brain, Daniel must have said when he went home, “If I could just do it again!” And he came back and he did!
Singing third was Emily Keener, who was saved last week by Pharrell after not getting enough votes from America. With the pressure on – there are no more saves – she chose to sing Jeff Buckley‘s “Lilac Wine.”
Adam said he has been wanting that song on the show. He was so happy she did it – and did it perfectly. He felt it was a beautiful version of a song that he’s wanted to see out in the world. Christina told Emily that that performance was what she had been waiting for from her all this time. She knew that she was capable of taping into that magic. Her performance touched on so many emotions. She was tender and aggressive and more. It was a really, really solid job. She added, “So far, it’s my favorite performance of the night. Pharrell said, “Amazing. Not only are you a songwriter, but you are a beautiful vocalist.”
Team Christina’s comeback artist Nick Hagelin, who only joined her team last week but got voted through to the Top 12, picked a song to dedicate to his wife: Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You.”
Pharell said, “Dude, this is like a whole new thing. Blake should write more songs for you. You embodied it in a different way and gave it a different life.” Blake said when he saw that Nick was going to do “Mine Would Be You,” he thought, “What the hell is he doing?” Now thanks to Nick, when he goes to perform the song, people will ask, “Do the Nick Haeglin version.” Great job. Christina added that working with Nick has let her know what a good guy he is. Plus, he has such great charisma on stage.
Team Blake’s Adam Wakefield chose a song that his late brother used to play all the time: “Soul Shine” by The Allman Brothers. He got a standing ovation.
Pharrell asked, “Is that what we’re doing? Taking people to church on television and setting them free? You talked about setting the groundwork for your career. You came in with a sick gospel intro and such vocal intention. I know a lot of people felt that. You delivered it.” Adam told him he was a fan, but more importantly, that performance demonstrated that Adam is going to be able to do so many things. He is so far beyond the real deal. He is ridiculous. Blake pointed out that Adam is going to be around for a long, long time. He is doing what he was meant to be doing, plus he looked cool as hell when he did it. He’s a star.
Bryan Bautista chose the ’90s Seal hit “Kiss From a Rose.”
Pharrell said, “Dude, there is a deal for you on the other end of the show. Your accuracy was crazy, the way you walked through the notes in the middle was sick, and you were singing the girls to sleep with this lullaby.” Christina agreed, saying, “Every girl needs to buy that and be lulled to sleep by Bryan. He is so sweet. He does such a great job in rehearsals, and then he came out here and shined. Beautiful job.”
Last week’s save by Adam, Owen Danoff, selected current hit “7 Years” by Lukas Graham. Adam told him he needed him to blast through to make it to next week.
Pharrell said it was awesome to see someone who considers himself shy come out and sing the way he did with a tender tone. He felt like that performance packed such a mean punch, and it showed people another side to Owen. He is a great storyteller. Adam said the best part of the performance was watching Owen bust out of his shell and see everybody rally behind him. He came alive tonight.
Four-chair-turn artist Alisan Porter went with the big, bold, and bluesy contemporary song “Stone Cold” by Demi Lovato.
Adam admitted he wasn’t even sure what to say. Every year there is one person who epitomizes what the show is about. He wished she was on his team. He is so blown away every time he hears her sing. Blake joked, “Can’t you suck sometimes? You are too good. At the end of the season, we are going to have to try to figure out which was your best performance. Christina said she can’t wait for the Alisan album to come out. Alisan is like the highlight at the end of a concert. When Alisan opens her mouth, the energy in the room changes.
Team Blake’s coach’s save Paxton Ingram followed Alisan’s Demi Lovato number with one by Selena Gomez, “Hands to Myself.”
Pharrell complimented Paxton by saying Miami should be very proud. There were some interesting parts to that performance. Paxton not only hit the high note in the middle but held it for a long time. Pharrell could tell that Paxton likes lifting people. He recommended he sing something inspirational. He will light these people up. Blake agreed with Pharrell about Paxton singing something inspirational. He predicted that Paxton is going to be around, so let’s do it next week.
Team Pharrell’s pre-school teacher Hannah Huston went bluesy with Etta James‘ “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” which Christina has also recorded.
Adam joked that he thinks Hannah has created a new genre of music — alien soul — because what she does is so not of this earth, but it is rooted in something we understand. She is awesome. Blake told her that it is hard to not get wrapped up in her performances. He isn’t sure who is picking her songs, but they are surprising. He’s a fan. Pharrell said Hannah is doing Nebraska proud. Her talent is innate. She is a natural. She has a mountain range of notes. She doesn’t leave anything out.
The final performance of the night was Shalyah Fearing from Team Adam who selected her song based on the fact that she needs to have faith. She performed Patty Griffin‘s contemporary folk song “Up to the Mountain.”
Christina said the thing she loves is Shalyah is a fearless singer. She goes to the edge of the cliff and she jumps off. She feels her heart when she sings. Pharrell told her he was happy to have shared in her journey. He felt her performance was natural. Adam said it is hard to wrap his mind around the fact that she just turned 16. He thanked Christina because she was the first one to push her button for Shalyah.
The Voice returns tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC when one of the Top 12 will be eliminated.
View the original at Parade or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Google+