‘The Voice’: DaNica Shirey and Toia Jones Belt Out Beyonce’s “Halo”

Caila Ball-Dionne | October 21, 2014 7:09 am

Though Pharrell is undoubtedly the lyrical genius on the Voice panel, it is Gwen Stefani who had the quote of the night/Battles/season when speaking of bringing in her husband, Gavin Rossdale, to mentor her team. “I was kind of nervous about it, because we’ve never done anything outside of make out and have kids,” she said.

Take note, newlywed Adam Levine: making out and having kids have brought the Stefani-Rossdales through 12 years of marriage. Whatever it takes to spark the fire, as they say.

Besides making out and having kids, there was work to be done as The Battles continued. Going into the evening, Pharrell was out of steals, Adam had yet to use one successfully and Blake Shelton and Gwen still each had one steal to drop in this final week.

So who benefitted from these steals, you ask?

Team Adam: Damien vs. Kelli Douglas

Adam goes old school with his first Battle of the night, assigning Otis Redding’s “Knock on Wood” to Damien (no last name needed) and powerhouse Kelli Douglas. The duo actually impress Stevie Nicks so much during the rehearsals that she vows to personally come back and steal one of them if they don’t make it. She might not completely understand the powers that come with being a Voice mentor, but she gets definite enthusiasm points!

Speaking of enthusiastic, the coaches have nothing but rave reviews for the evenly-matched performance.

“Damien has this explosive voice,” says Blake. “Kelli has this very smooth, very warm voice that’s not as explosive.”

“I was so distracted by your body,” Gwen tells Kelli in a #yesallwomen moment.

“You are so gorgeous, but maybe it’s not the most perfect song for you.”

“This song was all pocket, and there was not one moment that either of you were off,” says their coach.

Adam chooses Damien, and unfortunately, not even Stevie Nicks comes in for a steal.

Team Gwen: Jessie Pitts vs. Ryan Sill

What an odd pairing Gwen puts together with a cappella enthusiast Ryan Sill and sweet singer Jessie Pitts (who Blake described as “a bowl of lucky charms: marshmallows only”). Neither is particularly suited for Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s “I Need Your Love.” Ryan’s voice is fine, but his self-described “aca-bopping” dance moves wreak havoc on the stage presence, and Jessie’s ethereal voice gets lost in the fast-paced song. Lucky for Ryan, the coaches can see past his unfortunate dance moves.

“The pocket just cuts through like a razor,” Blake says to Ryan.

“That’s like the most dramatic performance we’ve seen thus far in the season,” says Pharrell. “For a song like this, Ryan’s voice was super cutting through.”

“Working with you two really touched my heart, and it really inspired me because both of you were open to trying anything,” says Coach Gwen.

Gwen picks Ryan, and Blake uses his last steal on Jessie. “You’re so unique, I think you can win this freaking thing,” says her new coach.

Team Pharrell: Blessing Offor vs. Katriz Trinidad

It’s youth vs. experience when Pharrell pairs working musician Blessing Offor and 15-year old Katriz Trinidad to cover Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do.” The song is much more suited to Blessing, who sang a Bill Withers song in the Blind Auditions. Katriz, however, overcomes her unfamiliarity with the song, throws in some impressive runs and really impresses the coaches.

‘You did such a good job rising to this challenge,” Adam tells Katriz.

“You guys did it incredibly well,” says Blake. “It was pretty damn equal.”

“I feel like they both rose to the occasion,” says Pharrell. “You guys are both winners.”

…but technically there can only be one winner, so Pharrell picks Katriz. Adam quickly jumps in for the steal. “My wife’s name is Behati ,which means Blessing, and it makes me love you more,” he says. “I don’t know how I can not have you on my team.”

As if on cue, Gwen jumps in to challenge his steal. “I love your voice, and just being around someone as talented as you is going to be inspiring,” she says.

The “you remind me of my wife” argument prevails, and Blessing joins Team Adam.

Team Adam: Ethan Butler vs. Matt McAndrew

Adam consciously couples soulful singers Ethan Butler and Matt McAndrew to sing Coldplay’s “Yellow.” The two give it an unplugged spin, and both accompany with acoustic guitar. The result is a pretty perfect duo that should just skip the rest of the season and start a group…or continue as one super contestant together: this season really is missing a token duo.

“I don’t know the last time we’ve seen people just get lost in the moment like that,” says Blake. “You could be a duo, you guys work that well together.”

“The way you sang the song, Matt, was so amazing,” says Pharrell. “It would obviously be you because it’s in your wheelhouse.”

“Matt, dude, there’s something about what you do that kind of goes beyond having a great voice,” says Coach Adam. “Ethan, you are an accomplished, soulful, skillful singer.”

Adam advances Matt, and sadly, no one steals Ethan. Here’s hoping for a reunion tour.

Team Blake: Bree Fondacaro vs. Taylor Brashears

Up next is indie rocker Bree Fondacaro and classic country singer Taylor Brashears for Team Blake. Bree is a bit of an underdog in this one, as all the coaches raved about Taylor’s amazing tone in her Blind Audition (despite it’s overpowering essence of goat).

Bree and Taylor sing Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good,” and it goes to the extremes. Taylor has extreme goat moments in the upper register, Bree is extremely breathy and they both sound extremely similar to cartoons. Don’t worry: the coaches love it anyway.

“Bree, I would love to have seen you just lose yourself a little more in it,” says Pharrell, adding, “Taylor you’re just so damn confident.”

“The problem I had with the performance with both of you guys was that I love the song so much, and neither of you did the original melody,” says Gwen, in a rare critique.

“Bree has this lower register. She is so good at that,” says their coach. “Taylor’s upper register and just the strength of her voice will suck you in just as much.”

Blake picks the self-assured Taylor, who is ready for the Knockouts “like right now.”

Team Pharrell: DaNica Shirey vs. Toia Jones

Closing out the night is an emotional performance by DaNica Shirey and Toia Jones. Pharrell doesn’t mess around when he challenges his two powerhouses with Beyonce’s “Halo,” a tough one for even the lithest vocal acrobat. Both of them are so overwhelmed with emotion and pressure that they even cry during rehearsals — in front of Alicia Keys, no less!

The big performance is lights-out for both, and leaves Pharrell with an impossible decision.

“Your voices are both so beautiful and powerful,” says Gwen. “It’s so inspiring to sit here and watch you do it.”

“Singing a Beyonce song is literally like trying to slay a dragon,” says Adam. “You guys slayed the dragon, and then slapped it in the face to make sure it knew it was dead.” Vivid.

“Both of you guys let go,” says Pharrell, proudly. “I wish I could choose both of you.”

Not all wishes come true, so he chooses DaNica. It’s not over for Toia, yet: both Gwen and Adam buzz in to steal. With no time to make their arguments, Toia is forced to choose without debate. She chooses Adam, his second steal from Team Pharrell.

Explosive, right? Well that’s apparently nothing compared to the “startling” events in store for Tuesday night. Contestants missing rehearsals! A Battle that might not even happen! One last steal! Agony! Defeat! Carson Daly just trying to keep these people in line! Too much to handle when The Battles conclude tonight!