Tonight on NBC the Emmy award winning music competition The Voice is back with yet another round of completion. Tonight the battles continue with team members dueling in duets and the coaches enlisting help from fellow artists Aloe Blacc, Jill Scott, Miranda Lambert and the Band Perry to prepare their artists for battle.
On last week’s episode the battles premièred. On night two of the battles six pairs of artists sang for their survival in head to head duets. The battles continued to be as tough on the coaches as well as the artists. As heavy as the crown may rest on the coaches’ heads, Blake, Shakira, Adam and Usher know that their artists’ trials by fire now will strengthen them for the pressure cooker known as the live shows. Did you watch last week’s battle round premiere? If you missed them we have Night 1 and Night 2 for your enjoyment.
On tonight’s episode the “battle rounds” continue and the coaches enlist the help of the music industry’s top recording artists to offer their knowledge and skills as advisers. Adam Levine teams up with Aloe Blacc, Blake Shelton with The Band Perry, Shakira with Miranda Lambert and Usher with Jill Scott. In this phase, the coaches pit two of their own team members against each other in a dueling duet. After the vocal face-off, each coach must choose which artist from their team is the strongest, and has the option of stealing losing artists from an opposing coach. Each coach has two steals during the battle rounds. Look for more dramatic do-or-die duets over the next few weeks as the cream rises to the top.
Tonight’s Battles are going to be just as exciting as last week’s were. It will give viewers a good idea of who may actually be in serious contention to win THE VOICE this season so you’re not going to want to miss even a minute of the fun. We’ll be blogging it right here for you. In the meantime hit up the comments section and tell us your thoughts on part one and two of the Battle!
RECAP: First up tonight is is Austin Ellis and Josh Kaufman from team Adam; Austin came to The Voice wanting to achieve his dreams and believed that it was his only chance at succes. Josh questioned his career as a singer having two kids; it made him wonder if he should leave his music career behind but got all 4 chairs to turn. Austin was so happy to see Aloe Blac; Adam chose the song “Happy” by Pharell and felt like it would be perfect for their voices. Aloe says they are battling against their old selves and should make sure they beat the; Aloe believes that their voices are perfect being different and show the many sides of soul. Adam says they would love to do a bunch of James Brown thing in it; Adam wants them to engage the crowd. Aloe wants Josh to make more eye contact with the audience and Austin has to make sure he hits his notes much harder.
Blake says that there was so much energy and that they were having fun; he feels Austin is a solid singer and Josh had an amazing falceto. Usher says that Austin had a few rythmic issues but he is such a beast with his upper range; but gives the edge to Josh. Shakira feels like it was one of the best battle and kept debating who was better; she felt Josh grabbed her than Austin started so playful and it drew her in. Adam says they have such amazing energy and felt Austin that her overcame so much to make it an equal battle; Adam feels like what Josh does is super special. Adam decides that he is going to choose Josh as the winner of the battle. Austin says thank you to Adam and is a fan of Josh and is so glad that they did such an amazing performance; no one steals him.
Now it’s team Blake with Alaska & Maddie against Audra MCLaughlin; Audra has a learning disability and struggled in school but wanted to pursue music as her dream. Alaska & Maddie are from Blake’s home state and their harmonies are what got him. Blake believes they were an easy pairing since they are all country; they are singing “When Will I Be Loved”. Audra feels it’s hard since they are both powerful with singing; they are going to give Alaska & Maddie solos to make the harmonies more special. At their rehearsal they find out that Audra has to really focus and decide what kind of note she wants to use; Blake believes that it’s hard for Alaska & Maddie since one slip up can ruin them both.
Usher says that it was a phenominal battle and felt that Audra held her own perfectly against two powerful singers; he believes that Audra has control her power more. Alaska & Maddie sing well together but need them to focus on their solo abilities. Shakira felt Alaska & Maddie were a little over the top; she goes neutral on her personal choice. Adam says that Alaska & Maddie were powerful and harmonize well though Audra had done easily better with a different song. Blake says it is the toughest choice for them; they are so good and has no idea who to choose; Blake decides the winner of the battle is Audra. Maddie says thank you for the experience and Maddie says they are grateful to meet them; Adam was so upset he could not steal them.
Next up is team Shakira with Deja Hall and Music Box; Deja was raised in a military family and she is very athletic. She turned three chairs and chose Shakira as her coach. Music Box had to give up singing after he son and belives The Voice can help her pursue what she truly loves; Shakira chose her because she felt that Music was an under dog. Shakira gave them “Eternal Flames” to sing; she wants to see what they can do. Miranda believes that Deja has not found her own voice yet; Music Box believes her age is a bonus since she has been singing for much longer and has realized a lot of her own mistakes when singing. Shakria believes they will both shine on this song. At their final rehearsal Shakira has them walk the stage a little bit with the microphones; Miranda can notice that Deja is struggling on her harmony. Shakira wants them to think less and just let out their full power.
Adam feels they both have special tones and that it’s amazing that Deja has so much power at her young age. Blake feels like Deja has a power that is amazing, though Music has an impressive sound that is all her own. Usher believes that Deja needs help to make her perfect and Music Box has such a powerful voice and believes it was from her age. Shakria loves Music Box’s different voice; she would have loved to see her be more vulnerable. Shakira feels like Deja has a great gift but her lack of experience show; though her voice is so angelic. Shakira decides the winner of the battle is Deja Hall. Usher goes ahead and steals Music Box; Usher chose her because he thinks that her voice is incredible and knows she has potential to go really far from an amazing coach.
Next up is team Usher with Madilyn Page and Tanner James; Madilyn has always been artistic and loves to make short videos, but her love for music brought her to The Voice. Tanner left college after one semester wanting to focus on a music career. They actuall went to the same school and are from Utah; it’s weird they never met each other. They are singing “Change” by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran; Usher feels like they can deliver this love song perfectly. Jill believes that Madilyn’s voice is so fragile and Tanner has a lovely voice too; Usher believes they have to really live into the moment and put on the act that they are in love for the song. Usher wants them to just let go; he wants Tanner to be like Madilyn’s protector. Usher and Jill love it; they want them to be confident in their abilities.
Adam says it was like watching puppies running through fields of wheat; it was a romantic and cute overload. He wants them to do more songs together; he felt it was really well done. Shakira says that it was sweet and believable; she loved it. Blake says that he knows for a fact the Madilyn is adorable and so is Tanner; he had the girls go crazy when he started singing. He felt that he would probably go with Madilyn; Usher says they did exactly what he wanted with the romance in their performance. Usher says the winner of the battle is Madilyn. Tanner thanks Usher for beng an incredible coach and hopes that he made him proud; he is really happy with his performance.
Next up is Dawn & Hawke‘s and Josh Murley; Dawn & Hawke’s gave a soulful performance that won Adam’s heart and made his day getting them on his team. Josh is a father and can’t find much success in music where he lives and won Adam over with his unique voice. Adam gave them the song “Stuck In The Middle With You”, Adam tells Josh that he needs to stand out against a duo. During the last rehearsal Adam tells Josh that he needs to play the guitar; he doesn’t want him to look like the third wheel and Darwn & Hawke’s need to get their harmony perfect.
Blake says that it was a solid performance, no moment was bad; he feels like it’s a hard choice. Usher says they did give a great performance and was really looking for their individuality to show more; he give it to Josh. Shakira says that it was a great choice of song and it was a feel good performance and enjoyed it. Adam says that they did an excellent job and wanted to see how well they could handle it on their own; he feels like he got a clear view of them as singer. Adam decides the winner of the battle is Dawn & Hawke’s. Josh says that it has a pleasant experience and thanks Adam for everything; right before he leaves Shakira steals him and he is completely shocked. Shakira says that Josh is way too talented to walk away from this competition.
Next up is Bria Kelly and Tess Boyer from team Usher; Bria got through a hard time of her life where she almost lost her mother and going into The Voice she really wanted to pursue a music career. Tess wants to be a role model for little girls and believes that The Voice could help her get that dream. Jill wants Tess to be less of a cheerleader because Bria is a rocket; she needs to really work on it more. Usher feels like the great the commitment gives them a greater chance to make it; at the final rehearsal Tess really worked hard and came back much better though wants her to get lost in the music.
Shakira says that it was awesome and thought Tess played with more dynamics though Bria has an amazing voice. Adam says it kills him that Bria went with Usher, though he has a soft spot for her; though Tess was absolutely amazing. Blake says that Tess came out of nowhere on the song; he knew what Bria would do but believes that Tess took it for him. Usher decides that the winner of the battle is Bria. Tess thanks Usher so much to make him proud; she gave it all she could and Blake steals her. Blake says that he so happy to have stole Tess because she put in a lot of effort and saw that she learns well.