"Don't
cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
~Dr.
Seuss
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| NBCUniversal |
The first live Elimination Show came
and went but not without a few surprises and much talk. The show’s
Top 20 needed to become the Top 12. America voted and bought the
music, and these votes and purchases saved two artists on each
team. The third artist was chosen by his or her respective
judge. I nailed who America would choose from each team, but I missed
the coaches’ choices (with the exception of Ceelo). Blake,
Christina, and Adam left me really scratching my head.
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| NBCUniversal |
Before the results were given, each
team performed as a group. Team Blake took the stage first and sang
“Free Ride.” There’s not much to say about the performance.
It was alright. For the most part, they sang well together, but it
was nothing spectacular.
The results came and America saved
Austin Jenckes and Cole Vosbery. Both are very talented and have
connected rather well with the viewers, so it was no surprise
America’s votes put them in the Top 12.
It’s what came next that surprised
me. Blake made his decision and picked Ray Boudreaux as the third member
of his Team. Blake said that he picked Ray because he believed Ray
was the one he could “move forward with and have the most success
with.” Huh?
It’s not that Ray isn’t a great
singer... he is. I just figured Blake, one of the biggest country
superstars in the industry right now (he won Male Vocalist and Album
of the Year at the CMA Awards the night before), would have taken his
Country powerhouse Shelbie Z to the Top 12... especially after her
live performance last week when Blake said to her, “If I had
been in a coma and woke up and saw that, I would think that’s one
of the biggest stars in country music.” So what happened?
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| NBCUniversal |
Team CeeLo was up next, and their group
song was “Give a Little Bit.” I’m not sure if they all skipped
rehearsals, or maybe it was because they're all very different
vocally, but their performance was the worst I’ve seen on any show.
Individually, they are all established singers and talented vocalists, but together... The
four girls were singing in different keys (and none was the right
key). They all missed notes and were pitchy, and pretty much all of them missed
their cues leading into the harmonies. I actually felt embarrassed for
them, because they are all better than what that performance showed.
Whatever the reasons, I think it might have sealed
Team CeeLo’s fate.
In the end, America saved Caroline
Pennell and Jonny Gray, and with no real reasons given by CeeLo, he
saved Kat Robichaud... none of which was surprising.
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| NBCUniversal |
Christina’s team took their turn on
the stage singing “Love Somebody.” For how strong her artists
are, I was a little disappointed with the group performance. It was
strong, and they all sang well together and looked absolutely amazing, but it lacked the ‘flair’
I was expecting from Christina.
When the results were given, America
obviously saved Jacquie Lee and Matthew Schuler. Christina didn’t
really show any expressions during the reveal, so it’s hard to tell
if she was happy with the results, or like the rest of us, just knew
it would be those two. One of the biggest surprises of the night came when
she announced her choice for the remaining spot on her team. She
choose based on where her “heart is invested” and went with Josh
Logan. While Josh is a wonderful singer, Olivia Henken definitely
out-sang him during the live show. Even Christina made the
observation that Olivia “can do it all.” So, again, a country
singer is sent packing, and I’m starting to notice a pattern here.
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| NBCUniversal |
Rounding out the night was Team Adam
and their rendition of “Safe and Sound.” This was, by far, the
best performance of the night... in fact, I would say one of the best
group performances I’ve ever seen. The whole group harmonized
perfectly. Each one was on key and never missed a cue. If I were
Adam, I would seriously consider taking the entire group, name them
Maroon 6, and just go from there... it was that good.
The results came, and America saved
James Wolpert and Tessanne Chin. Both were expected, as James topped
at number three on iTunes, and Tessanne has over seventy thousand
followers on Twitter. It was, however, Adam’s decision that threw
everyone for a loop. He praised all his artists but said he had to
pick the one who he thinks he has the most potential with. He looked at
the audience and the other coaches and added that his decision “may
be surprising,” and announced that he was taking Will Champlin to
the Top 12. I don’t get it. Beginning with the Blind Auditions,
Grey has continually proven herself as an amazing vocalist. She has
grown each week with leaps and bounds over Will, and in my opinion, she would
be the one to give Adam the most potential to take a win. But I’m
not Adam...
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| NBCUniversal |
Last season was won by a country
singer. The season before that was won by a country singer... maybe
production was worried that a country singer would win this year and
gently ‘nudged’ the coaches in their decisions. Christina made a
comment during the Knockout Round between Olivia and Destinee that
she doesn’t have room on her team for two country artists. What if
production decided that there isn’t room for any country artists
this year. A third win in a row by a country singer could attach a
label to the show that it’s all about country music. Would that
bring down ratings? Maybe. This first elimination was the final
chance before America becomes solely responsible for who goes home
and who moves on. Who knows? It is just a theory.
All in all, Olivia Henken will no doubt
have an amazing career, and I look forward to her first post-Voice
album. Shelbie Z will definitely leave her mark on the country music
scene, and Grey will be headlining shows in no time... so, maybe they
were sent home because the coaches knew they didn’t need the
show to make it big and be successful... maybe they kept the artists who they think may need just a little more
of a boost. This makes a little more sense, because Grey wasn't country. Just another theory...
Looking at the Top 12, as long as bad
song choices don’t mess it up, The Voice will inevitably come down to Jacquie
Lee and James Wolpert, with James currently having a slight edge over
Jacquie. Even though I’m a little upset with the decisions on who didn't make it through, I still
look forward to the weeks to come. Monday the Top 12 perform, and
Tuesday two more artists will be sent home by America’s vote... my
guess is it will be Josh Logan and Will Champlin.
See you next week.
Watch The Voice every Monday and Tuesday on NBC! Check your local listings for times.
Go to nbc.com/the-voice for all the great info on the judges and artists.
Who caught your ear? Who’s your favorite? What do you think? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
Excellent article...Totally Ageee
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