'The Voice' (s.6) Recap – Battle Rounds 4th Night

The final battles of the first round are complete. Instead of moving to the Knockout Round as in previous seasons, the advancing artists move on to a second round of Battles. To win the first round, they had to be good... to win the second round, they're going to have to be great. There is only one steal per coach in this round, and the contestants (once they find out with whom they will battling) must both agree on the song choice. This round will definitely be interesting and stressful.


Tuesday's winners battled hard, and for the most part, I agreed with the coaches' decisions.

Cary & Sam - Credit: Tyler Golden / NBC

1. TEAM ADAM: Cary Laine vs. Sam Behymer (“Give Me Love”)

Adam's song choice pulled both Cary and Sam outside of their comfort zones. Cary was strong in her performance and added her country personality and style, which I thought was a great touch. Sam started a little high and pitchy but eventually found her pocket and style. Both did have some problems, but I found Cary to be a little stronger and consistent. Yes, Sam does have a one-of-a-kind style and voice, and I do enjoy her vocals, but I had to disagree with Adam's choice this time.

Winner: Sam Behymer

Steal: No

'The Voice' (s.6) Recap – Battle Rounds 3rd Night

Last night was the next-to-last of the Battle Rounds. The performances were exceptional – the battles were amazing (All winning performances are available on iTunes). Usher completed all his battle pairings and now has his team complete for the Knockout Rounds beginning next week on NBC. One should note that FOUR of his six contestants who did not make his cut were stolen (two by Blake and two by Adam). Shakira used both her Steals to grab two of Adam's artists, and Usher has stolen one of Shakira's... Blake hasn't had any of his artists stolen yet, and Usher is the only one with a Steal left. That's going to make tonight's Battle Rounds even more intense, as only one of the six who don't win the Battle can be 'stolen' and taken to the next round.
The winners of Monday's Battle Rounds were...

'The Voice' (s.6) Recap – Battle Rounds 2nd Night

The second night of battles raged and seven more artists moved on to the upcoming Knockout Rounds. The only thing I don't like about the show on Tuesdays is it being only an hour long and having half the performances kind of mashed into a short montage.

Jeremy & Clarissa - Credit: Tyler Golden / NBC

1. TEAM SHAKIRA: Clarissa Serna vs. Jeremy Briggs (“Cold As Ice”)

Shakira paired her two rockers, and both did very well. Clarissa looked great and definitely had the tone and attitude to command the stage. Jeremy also looked good on stage and showed us he's a rocker to the core. I originally said that Jeremy would win, and the song choice was perfect for him. Even after the performance, I still feel Jeremy was just a touch more 'there' on stage. But both were great, and I'm really surprised that a Steal was not used.

Winner: Clarissa Serna

Steal: No

2nd Battle Round Pairings And Songs – Predictions – ‘The Voice’ (s.6)

The pairings and song choices for Tuesday's Battle Rounds have been released (as reported by People.com). Tune in tonight at 8/7c on NBC.

The pairings, song choices, and my predictions (in no particular order) are listed below.

'The Voice' (s.6) Recap – Battle Rounds 1st Night

Forty-Eight very talented contestants... but only thirty-two will advance.

Last night, the first six (of twenty-four) battles were fought, and for the most part, I wasn't surprised by the outcomes. It was exhilarating. The talent was exceptional. The battles were fought hard by all.

You can download your favorite performances from last night on iTunes here.

Bif & T.J. - Credit: Tyler Golden / NBC

1. TEAM USHER: Biff Gore vs. T.J. Wilkins (“Ain't Too Proud To Beg”)
With a twenty-two year gap between these two, it was sure to be an interesting battle, and it was. Both had great vocals. Bif was a little lower than T.J., and both gave us a great show. However, T.J. was much smoother on the stage and very suave. Technically, they were almost equally great, but the battle was easy to call, and the Steal was no surprise.
Winner: T.J. Wilkens
Steal: Yes – Blake Shelton

The 1st Battle Rounds Pairing Revealed – Predictions – ‘The Voice’ (s.6)

The pairings and song choices for Monday’s Battle Rounds have been revealed by The Voice (as reported in EntertainmentWeekly).

Tune in Monday at 8/7c on NBC as the Battle Rounds begin!

The winners of the Battle Rounds move on to the Knockouts, but the coaches do have two Steals each, but there will be twenty-four battles, so the coaches will have to use their steals wisely.

The pairings, song choices, and my predictions (in no particular order) are listed below.

The Top 11 Improve Greatly From Last Week – American Idol XXI – Recap

After the many not-so-great reviews from the judges and the surprising vote that sent Emily Piriz home, the remaining eleven contestants stepped up their 'game' quite well.

This week's theme was “Songs From The Cinema,” and most of the artists picked perfect songs to showcase their talents.

Between each act, the Top 11 gave their 'audition' for the artist about to take the stage. While it was amusing to some level, I kind of feel it was an inappropriate message to be sending, especially to the younger viewers. For me, it sent the message that it is okay to make fun of or mock other people. Granted, it was all in fun and harmless, but will the younger, more impressionable viewer understand the difference between 'having fun with' and 'making fun of.'

The Teams Are Full – Let The Battles Ensue – The Voice (s.6) – Recap

Last night was the end of the Blind Auditions, and the coaches' teams are now full. Next Monday at 8/7c on NBC the Battle Rounds begin. Two teammates sing off against each other, with only one emerging victorious and continuing on. All is not lost, however, for the one who does not win the battle... each coach has some “Saves” and can steal the defeated singer.

Each coach had only one spot to fill, and the pressure must have been extreme for the remaining contestants still to perform for a slot. The coaches were picky and wanted the best.

Blake Adds Some Serious Fire-Power – The Voice (s.6) Blind Auditions Night 5 Recap

Last night, the talent was high, and the stakes were even higher as the coaches fought to fill their teams with those they think can bring a win. Shakira added two artists to her team. After turning her chair more than a few times, she finally managed to starting filling her roster. She picked up gospel trained and powerful vocalist Cierra Mickens after her strong rendition of “Crazy” turned three chairs. Also joining Team Shakira was Ddendyl. Trained in opera but now more Blues and Jazz, Ddendyl performance of “Stand By Me” was enough to grab Shakira's attention.

The “Home” Theme For The Top 12 Never Really Hit Home – American Idol 13 Recap

Last night's theme was “Home” for the Top 12. They were to pick a song that represented or reminded them of where they are from. The show should have been filled with powerful and emotional songs, but most fell short of that.

This season, American Idol production spend well over five million dollars on the new set and stage. Its 360° design is meant to immerse us more fully into the feeling and energy of the artists performing... but what happens when some of the artists themselves don't have much feeling or energy?

Adam Gets Shut-Out In Night 4 Of Blind Auditions – The Voice (s.6) Recap

“The Blind Auditions are about one thing and one thing only, and that is finding a voice” ~Shakira

Credit: Tyler Golden / NBC

Well, Adam did not have a very productive night. In fact, he turned his chair for only one artist last night, and he lost her to Blake.

The talent was rather good last night, but Adam just didn't hear what he wanted to add to his already stellar team. Some may say he's being picky... I say he's being selective to find those singers that he will be best able to help achieve their dreams. Isn't that what the show's about?

Blake Continues To Struggle Trying To Fill His Team – The Voice (s.6) Blind Auditions – 3rd Night

“The only thing that matters in Blind Auditions is discovering amazing voices, and that's why we're here.” ~Adam Levine

Going into last night's Blind Auditions, Blake had only two artists on his roster. By the end of night, he managed to acquire two more. I'm not sure why Blake is having such a problem swaying contestants to his team, but at least last night, he picked up two very talented artists.