‘The Voice’: Jordan Smith Slays Beyoncé’s “Halo”
Think back, if you will, to when you were about eight years old. The playground know-it-alls were getting louder about the Santa Claus myth, and – though the logic of your coupon-clipping parents buying all those presents was shaky at best – the flying sleigh deal seemed even more dubious. You were pretty sure that there was no Santa Claus, because all evidence pointed that way.
Then, your parents confirmed that Santa was a lie, and it basically ruined your life. As we go into the Live Playoffs of The Voice, just remember this: the life-shattering effect of the Santa reveal eventually passed. So will, we can assume, the plaid rock star tears that are falling over the fact that Gwen Stefani is actually dating Blake Shelton. Sure, it still hurts now, about a week after the fashion icon pop princess and the vest-wearing king of dad jokes confirmed music’s worst kept secret, but the several zillion winky comments from Adam Levine and approving looks from Pharrell in store between now and the finale will desensitize us to this massive NBC publicity stunt new relationship.
Besides: If anyone can make cowboy boots look cool, it’s Gwen Stefani. Other than getting ready to shield eyes if at even a hint of PDA, there were some live performances to contend with, and – surprise – more of them than expected. The final 20 completely morphed to the final 24 thanks to a Carson Daly rules twist. In addition to the five contestants on each team that advanced this far, each coach brought an eliminated contestant back to compete.
The two comeback artists and the actual finalists of teams Adam and Gwen performed last night for their shots at the Top 12. Here’s whose vying for a slot:
Team Gwen: Regina Love
After being cut from Team Adam in the Knockouts, Regina Love swings for the fences with Adele’s “Hello.” If you don’t already know this from singing that song in your car over the past two weeks, this song is a tough one for mere mortals. Even the typically impressive Regina hits some flat notes.
“That was moving, the way that you sang that just now, because you have this voice that filled the room,” says Pharrell.
“I’m so honored to be part of this journey with you, because against all odds you’re here,” says Gwen, calling her voice, “so beautiful and so real.”
Team Gwen: Korin Bukowski
Korin Bukowski was basically a fetus when Sarah McLachlan’s “Adia” came out, but it doesn’t prevent her from connecting to the Surfacing single. Her tone is lovely, and she only has minor struggles in the lower register early in the performance.
“It’s so cool when you can discover something new about someone’s voice,” says Adam. “I’ve heard new things about your voice, a lot of strength in your voice, that I had never heard before.”
“To see you tonight really embrace the song and really vocally give it your own twist, your own personality, it was so beautiful and so emotional,” says Gwen.
Team Gwen: Jeffrey Austin
Jeffrey Austin is really finding his niche on the show as the second coming of Sam Smith. Even when he’s covering another artist, his powerful voice with a monster range gives off “Stay With Me” vibes. Jeffrey sings Jessie Ware’s “Say You Love Me,” and it’s as soulful as you’d expect from either him or Sam Smith.
“That was a great performance, but even more importantly than how great that was, you could really win this whole thing,” Says Adam. “I think that you’ve got it all.”
“Easily the best performance of the night,” says Pharrell. “She was totally right to tell you to take an emotional path.”
“You were not like a Voice contestant, you were an artist just purely emoting beautiful talent gifted voice,” says Gwen, adding, “I’m so winning right now, I can’t even believe it.
Team Gwen: Braiden Sunshine
Braiden Sunshine has tugged on Gwen’s heartstrings to make it this far, but her maternal instincts can’t save him anymore. The 15 year-old performs Bread’s “Everything I Own,” and it’s certainly not Top 12 worthy.
“I think that you’re spectacular,“ says Adam, who then says the closest thing a Voice coach can say resembling criticism. “You wanted to do more than the song was doing.”
“I feel so protective over you, and you did a beautiful job tonight,” says Gwen. “I loved the end, I think you got wild and emotional.”
Team Gwen: Viktor Király
Oops! It looks like Adam Levine dropped a real star when he let Viktor Király go to Team Gwen in the Knockouts. The Hungarian pop singer sings Lisa Stansfield’s “All Around the World,” and transitions seamlessly between his full voice and out of this world falsettos.
“How could I be anything other than super proud and happy?” asks Adam. Ummm…you could be disappointed and kicking yourself?
“That was crazy. It wasn’t just singing, it was a whole thing. It was the stage, it was the moves, it was your outfit,” says his coach.
Team Gwen Comeback Artist: Ellie Lawrence
Saved by the twist, pop rocker Ellie Lawrence returns as Gwen’s comeback artist. Her performance of Elle King’s “Ex’s And Oh’s” is much better than both her Battle and Knockout, and she has fun owning the stage with her original Blind Audition swagger.
“You picked a really great time to have your best performance,” says Adam. “It finally feels like you found something that you do that’s your thing.”
“You came out and you gave your personality,” says Gwen “It felt like your show.”
Team Adam: Blaine Mitchell
Hopefully Blaine Mitchell’s honeymoon was swell, because it was only two days. The newlywed, who just got married on Friday, gets back to work singing INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart.” Though there aren’t any standout mistakes, there also aren’t any standout moments. It’s all pretty bland. ‘Tis the season for compliments, though!
“That was the right song choice for you,” says Pharrell. “It was a song that gave you all the room for everybody to see that you’re a great performer.”
“You are exactly where you need to be and I couldn’t be prouder as a coach,” says Adam.
Team Adam: Keith Semple
It’s no surprise that Irish dad rocker Keith Semple sings a classic rock ballad from the early ’90s. Why leave the wheelhouse, right? His performance of Mr. Big’s “To Be With You” is a straightforward crowd pleaser, and will probably even advance him to the next round. Let’s just hope for a really unexpected cover of Rihanna or someone similar soon.
“The tone of your voice is so beautiful,” says Gwen. “That is a lot of pressure to have those gaps, and still have to man the stage, and still be interesting, and I think you did a really good job.”
“This is the moment for you to step out and do your thing, and at least represent what your thing is,” says Adam. “You really kind of showed people tonight who you are.”
Team Adam: Shelby Brown
Seventeen-year-old country singer Shelby Brown has had so many powerhouse moments thus far. Though this isn’t one of her blow-the-roof-off ballads, she demonstrates a ton of confidence performing Linda Rondstadt’s “You’re No Good.” At the very least, it should earn her a first class ticket to the Top 12.
“If Tricia’s Yearwood’s voice and Carrie Underwood’s voice had a voice together, that’s what it would be like,” says Blake.
“You just crushed it so hard tonight,” says Adam. “The fact that you’ve got even more amazing is a testament to how special you are.”
Team Adam: Amy Vachal
Amy Vachal, a Knockout Round steal from Team Pharrell, keeps squarely in her wheelhouse by singing Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.” She’s got a beautiful tone, but it doesn’t elevate her role far beyond lounge singer. Top 12 is likely in her future, but she’s going to eventually have to take more risks to move into later rounds.
“That was just effortless. The way that you just sang your way around stage in those beautiful super colorful runs,” says Pharrell. “I feel like you could win.”
“That was not The Voice. That was watching an artist perform on the show,” says Adam. “You absolutely did the best job you could possibly do, and I’m so, so thrilled.”
Team Adam: Jordan Smith
It didn’t seem possible to be more impressed with Jordan Smith…until he ends the night with Beyoncé’s “Halo.” It’s standing ovation-worthy, and the audience’s reaction is almost too loud for the coaches to get any comments in.
“Literally, I have nothing to say other than it’s totally true that God has signed your voice,” says Pharrell.
“You’re not a singer. You’re a figure,” says Adam. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever, ever, ever experienced in my life.”
Team Adam Comeback Artist: Chance Peña
Man, it seemed like Andi & Alex would be a shoo-in – or a pair of shoes in – for Adam’s comeback slot, but he pulled a bit of a surprise with Chance Peña. Chance sings – or really bleats – “Barton Hollow” by The Civil Wars. In the moments when he doesn’t sound part goat, his range is impressive.
Former coach Blake tells Chance, “You dump 150 percent of yourself into your performance.”
Adam’s review doesn’t have anyone believing Chance will be advancing any further than his comeback. “Moving forward, whether it’s on the show or not, who cares? You’ve received a wonderful education,” says Adam. Ouch.
Pharrell and Blake are up tonight with 12 more contestants performing live. Any guesses as to who the two comebacks will be tonight?
