‘The Voice’: Blake Shelton Steals His Former Opening Act, Meghan Linsey
After Monday night’s rapid-fire round switch, when the Blind Auditions magically transformed into the Battle Round on The Voice, Tuesday night’s Battles were comparatively tame. Sure, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and Pharrell Williams all tried to use their steals, including some major coach-on-coach shade-throwing, but without a jarring transition, it was almost too easy to watch.
Nevertheless, the Battles waged on, with half of them resulting in steal attempts. Here’s who won, who switched, and who managed to be one of the few eliminated from the Battle Round on Tuesday:
Team Pharrell: Anthony Riley vs. Travis Ewing
Street performer Anthony Riley set a “Voice record” when he got the fastest four-chair turn ever with his performance of a “I Feel Good” in the Blind Auditions. Now he tries to continue his all but historic legacy against soul artist Travis Ewing, the one-man band who destroyed Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name.” Travis is in need of some redemption.
The two men sing “Get Ready” by The Temptations, chosen by Pharrell to illustrate their dynamic voices. Taking Lionel Richie’s advice, they stay in character even when they’re not singing, and impress the coaches with a high-energy Battle.
“Anthony, you literally have stepped right into The Temptations, even with your moves and all that stuff,” says Blake. “Travis, I can’t say enough about you. You made that a true Battle.”
“Your credibility definitely shone through on that,” Christina tells Anthony. “Travis, you weren’t going to let him get away with anything. You were right there with him.”
“You did make it a tough decision,” agrees Pharrell. He advances street performer Anthony, but Blake jumps right in to steal Travis.
“That was a sink or swim moment for you, and he was swimming,” explains Blake.
Team Christina: Ameera Delandro vs. Sonic
Nick Jonas makes his Voice mentoring premiere in the battle of Ameera Delandro vs. Sonic. Sonic’s hearing loss initially causes her to struggle with the harmonies in Jessie J’s “Masterpiece,” but after following Christina’s homework to practice in front of a blasting TV, she masters it. Sonic stands out as the clear Battle winner against a pitchy and out-of-breath Ameera.
“I felt like there were a couple of moments, Ameera, where it got a little pitchy, but I can’t fault you for it because I saw you going for the jugular,” says Pharrell.
“The potential is equal in both of you. That makes the choice nearly impossible,” says Adam, who gives a slight favor to Sonic.
“I know nerves has been an issue and for you I like how you almost had a calm sense about you,” Christina says to Ameera. “You came out here like a champ and totally nailed it,” she tells Sonic.
Christina goes for the tone she finds more “accurate,” and advances Sonic. Ameera absolutely breaks down on her way out of the competition.
Team Blake: Hannah Kirby vs. Sarah Potenza
Punk rock enthusiast Hannah Kirby goes up against blues powerhouse Sarah Potenza in Blake’s next battle. The four-chair turn earner Sarah comes in with an apparent advantage, but Hannah steps up to (almost) her level.
The two perform the Rolling Stones’ “Give Me Shelter,” greeting one another with a big hug when they enter the stage. They are at their best when they’re harmonizing, and all four coaches give the performance a standing ovation.
“This was, to me, by far the best dual,” says Pharrell. “Hannah came out here swinging her purse like a southern church lady!”
“Sarah, I think you blew us away even more than we originally expected,” says Adam.
“I watched you tame the beast a couple of times,” Blake tells Sarah. “Hannah, you did what you needed to do which was to use that range.” Blake advances Sarah, and Adam and Pharrell fight to steal Hannah.
“I can’t believe what I just witnessed. It was almost like she was Janis Joplin and you were Stevie Nicks,” Adam tells her.
“I saw something on that stage. I’m willing to listen to it, and see where it wants to go,” says Pharrell. “I just want the opportunity to work with someone like you.”
Hannah grants Pharrell the opportunity to work with her.
Team Adam: Blaze Johnson vs. Michael Leer
Bahama native Blaze Johnson squares off with Eddie Vedder sound-alike Michael Leer in the next Team Adam Battle. Adam’s choice of “Rude” by MAGIC! is much better suited to Blaze, and you can almost see the annoyance in Michael’s eyes as he tries to get through the performance with a number of glaring voice cracks. Unsurprisingly, Adam looks right past that to give a standing ovation.
“This was an interesting one,” says Christina. “I could feel a lot of the angst of pushing out the notes and wanting it so badly and not wanting the other person to be louder. I kind of wished you guys would have relaxed a little more into it.”
“I think Christina really hit all of the things I would say, because I think it did become a very intense performance by the end,” says Pharrell.
“I, as a coach, couldn’t be happier,” says Adam. “You really stayed on course with really trying to make it your own thing,” he tells Blaze.
Adam advances Blaze, and the other unimpressed coaches give Michael a solid Bye Felicia.
Team Blake: Cody Wickline vs. Matt Snook
The tide shifts to country when Team Blake’s cowboy hat-wearing singers Cody Wickline and the previously-untelevised Matt Snook go head to head. Naturally, the country crooners sing Randy Houser’s “How Country Feels.” They both manage to turn on the charm and connect with the audience — as per the spunky Meghan Trainor’s advice — delivering a high-energy performance.
“Matt you came out here with so much heart,” says Christina. “Cody, I was reminded today of why I pushed my button for you.”
“I enjoyed both of these guys equally,” says Adam. “I think if I’m judging solely on what I saw today, Matt gave the better vocal.”
“Great job coming out of your shell and having some fun up there. The singing is perfect,” Blake tells Cody. “Matt you have so much energy. It’s infectious.” He struggles to choose between the two, but sees more long-term potential in Cody.
Team Pharrell: Meghan Linsey vs. Paul Pfau
Pharrell puts Blake Shelton’s former opening act Meghan Linsey against recent acquisition Paul Pfau in the last Battle of the night. The two give the performance of the evening with a powerful and emotional duet of “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Beatles.
“I want you both, so I’m just going to keep my mouth shut,” says Adam.
“Meghan, you’ve sounded better than you ever had,” says Blake Shelton, #1 fan.
“What you guys both definitely achieved is that you came out here and proven that you definitely deserve to stay on this show,” says their coach, who then picks Paul.
Don’t worry, Meghan: Blake, Adam and Christina are hear to save the day. Blake has the clear advantage in this steal competition, but that doesn’t stop him from fighting dirty with Adam.
“Last year, he had three out of the four contestants in the finale of The Voice and managed to screw the pooch in such an epic way,” says Blake of Adam’s Season 7 shortcomings.
“I think that from the beginning of this I’ve just wanted you more than he has,” retorts Adam, who is probably wondering what happened to his bromance.
Offering no surprises, Meghan (obviously) chooses Blake.
Untelevised: It’s not a Battle Round without a solid montage, and Tuesday night offered just that. In untelevised Battles, Team Christina’s Joe Tolo advances over Gabriel Wolfchild and Team Adam’s Josh Batstone advances over Nathan Hermida. Sadly, everyone’s favorite returner, Deanna Johnson, didn’t get her win over Nicolette Maré televised, but we’ll see her fighting to stay on Team Adam in Round 3.
Adam and Blake at odds! A favorite returner untelevised! Christina’s hair getting bigger by the moment! A seemingly never-ending supply of steals! And it’s only the Battles! More ridiculous drama unfolds when The Voice returns on Monday.
