Pharrell posed with his advisor, Missy Elliott, before taping his “Voice: Season Nine” Battle Round rehearsals with his team. (Graphic property of NBC & United Artists Media Group)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Does The Voice need a fifth coach that has the power to save five singers and automatically advance them to the Live Playoffs after the Battle Rounds? After watching last night’s show—the answer: “ABSOULTELY Yes!”
If you missed last night’s episode, Adam and Blake used their steals for average artists Blaine Mitchell and Chance Pena and left outstanding vocalists Cassandra Robinson and Lyndsey Elm with plane tickets home, I think having a fifth (and particularly a female-either Xtina, Shakira, Missy Elliott, Jill Scott, Cher, Reba, Stevie Nicks, Kylie Minogue, Kelly Rowland, Pink or Gloria Estefan would be great candidates) coach would greatly benefit the show. Sadly, I believe that Mark Burnett and Carson Daly would laugh at that suggestion before going back to the show’s Universal Studios Hollywood compound for a meeting with the coaches.
While we do not have a fifth coach, we have last season’s champion mentor: Pharrell Williams. For the second season in a row, all eyes were on the 10-time Grammy winner and fans hoped that he would “Get Lucky” and nab an artist that has the potential to go deep into the Live Rounds with his final steal.
Did Pharrell make the right choice? Read on to find out…
Team Adam kicked off the final night of Battle Rounds with a battle between Amanda Ayala and Shelby Brown. The Maroon 5 front man chose former advisor Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” for them to perform. This is not “Edge of Seventeen’s” first go-around in the Voice arena. Team Blake alum Hannah Kirby performed the tune during last season’s Top 12 and set the standard for artists. Both girls were evenly matched throughout the performance and I was worried that the audience’s offbeat clapping would interfere with their battle. Luckily, the girls did their coach (and if she watched Stevie Nicks) very proud. At the end of the battle, Adam chose to advance country singer Shelby Brown to the next round.
Pharrell’s best battle of the season was a trio! Brooklyn based artist Amy Vachal tackled newly engaged couple Jubal and Amanda in his final battle of the night. He chose Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody” for the boundary less group. I am glad that Pharrell and Missy made them put down the guitars. They definitely improved their vocals and both artists delivered an impeccable performance that gave me chills. While Jubal and Amanda definitely improved and deserved a steal, Pharrell listened to his fellow coaches and picked Amy to represent him in the Knockout Rounds.
The final battle of the night belonged to Team Blake’s Emily Ann Roberts and Morgan Frazier. Blake stated in his final rehearsal with the girls that this would be the masterpiece of this year’s battles. I definitely think that he was right as the girls showcased their future star power in their take of “I’m That Kind of Girl.” Their voices reminded me so much of younger versions of Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, I did not want their battle to end. While Blake chose Emily Ann, Pharrell grabbed Morgan and she became the final member of Team Pharrell!
Next week, the Knockout Rounds begin and the coaches’ overall advisor for this round joins the show! Oh, her name is Rihanna!
