Jake’s Take: The Top 12 Performances from The Voice-Season 12

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

It is hard to believe that The Voice wraps up its 12^th season in the next few hours.

As Chris Blue, Lauren Duski, Jesse Larson, and Aliyah Moulden prepare to fight for a recording contract and the right to join Cassadee Pope, Sawyer Fredericks, Jordan Smith, Alisan Porter, and Sundance Head in The Voice’s winners’ circle, Jake’s Take is looking back at 12 of the most impeccable and talked about performances from this season.

 

#12: Casi Joy- “Parachute” (Team Blake, Live Playoffs)

My fellow Kansas Citian Casi Joy kicks off this countdown with her excellent cover of Chris Stapleton’s “Parachute.” This strong Live Playoff performance that showed why Casi has a bright future in country music and why many fans were upset with her coach when she did not advance to the Top 12.

#11: Lauren Duski- “Tell Me Why” (Team Blake, Top 10)

Throughout her Voice journey, Lauren Duski has delivered continuously good vocal performances. But it was her cover of Wynonna Judd’s hit that might have brought her to the Season 12 finale. No matter what happens on Tuesday night, Lauren has the tools necessary to succeed in the music industry.

#10: Quizz Swanigan versus Felicia Temple- “Titanium” (Team Alicia, Battle Rounds)

The Sia-penned hit “Titanium” has been performed countless times on The Voice, but this Team Alicia battle featured two of the seasons’ most inspirational artists: 13-year-old Quizz Swanigan (the youngest person to have ever auditioned for the NBC hit) and 28-year-old Felicia Temple (whose personal story touched a lot of fans). This was the only battle this season that moved me and made me smile.

 

#9: Brennley Brown- “River” (Team Gwen, Top 11)

To be honest with you, I had a hard time connecting with Brennley in the early stages of the competition. However, she proved her worthiness to be in the Top 11 when she covered Joni Mitchell’s iconic “River.” I believe that Joni Mitchell would have been impressed with Brennley’s cover and I am deeply disappointed that Ms. Brown is not in the finale.

#8: Jesse Larson: “Jungle Love” (Team Adam, Top 10)

Jesse Larson kept a low profile during the first half of the season, but in these last few weeks of the competition, Jesse blossomed as an artist and proved that he was a force to be reckoned with. The remaining Team Adam artist peaked at Top 10 when he successfully covered The Time’s “Jungle Love.” Jesse successfully brought funk to the Universal Studios Hollywood soundstage and made his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota very proud.

 

#7: Johnny Gates- “Million Reasons” (Team Gwen, Knockout Rounds)

I fell in love with rocker Johnny Gates as a performer when he covered “Maggie May” in the Blind Auditions. But, I became a fan for life of the Team Gwen alum when he performed a haunting cover of Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons.” His two minutes and eight-second performance screamed superstar potential all across the screen. I hope that someone signs this incredible rocker soon because Johnny has the potential to be the show’s Chris Daughtry.

#6: Lilli Passero: “Town Without Pity” (Team Adam, Top 11)

Team Adam’s resident Jazz singer reached the peak of her run on the show when she tackled the classic Jazz standard: “Town Without Pity.” Lilli reminded me of the legendary singer, Edith Piaf, and I believe that she could be my generation’s “La Vie En Rose” performer. Thank you, Lilli, for finally bringing Jazz music to the forefront of performance-based Reality TV competitions.

#5: Chris Blue- “Love & Happiness” (Team Alicia, Top 12)

Ever since his Blind Audition, I believed that Chris Blue would be one of the last artists left standing. His outstanding interpretation of the Reverend Al Green’s signature song: “Love & Happiness” was filled with crazy vocal gymnastics and it truly deserved the first five coach standing ovation in series history.

#4: Stephanie Rice- “Piece by Piece” (Team Gwen, Blind Auditions)

Stephanie Rice’s Blind Audition broke my heart. She made it to The Voice after being abandoned by her Catholic parents because of her sexuality. Stephanie brought one of Kelly Clarkson’s most emotional tracks to a whole another level of excellence, and her vocal delivery tugged at my heart strings.

 

#3: Felicia Temple- “My Heart Will Go On” (Team Blake, Knockout Rounds)

Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” is considered one of the world’s most difficult songs to cover. Both X Factor UK champion Sam Bailey and friends to the blog and America’s Got Talent alums Forte delivered out-of-this-world renditions that would make it difficult for any singer to cover this song. However, Felicia Temple broke down that wall and gave a pitch-perfect performance that delighted the audience and earned her—Team Blake’s coach comeback award.

#2: Chris Blue & Vanessa Ferguson- “If I Ain’t Got You” (Team Alicia, Semifinals)

It is hard to believe that five years ago, Team Christina’s Jesse Campbell and Anthony Evans, took The Voice stage by storm with their show-stopping interpretation of “If I Ain’t Got You.” While it is always hard to reach that perfection level, Chris Blue and Vanessa Ferguson delivered a brilliant homage to their proud coach.

 

#1: Vanessa Ferguson- “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (Team Alicia, Top 10)

If I had to crown the season’s best female singer, it would probably go to Team Alicia’s Vanessa Ferguson. Each week, she blew me away with her amazing performances, so it was hard for me to pick out a single performance. But, the performance that kept speaking to me was Vanessa’s cover of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing).” Vanessa took the biggest risk and blended rapping and singing together in a performance that not only stole the night but earned this coveted spot in the countdown.

I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article. They belong to NBC, MGM Television, and Talpa Holding.