Music superstar Pink brought her attitude and advice as she mentored the Top Eight. (Graphic property of NBC & photo property of Walt Disney Records)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
“Raise Your Glass,” Voice fans! The one and only Pink was the season’s final mentor.
The 3-time Grammy and 5-time American Music Award-winning singer-songwriter assisted Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Pharrell Williams and longtime “Lady Marmalade” collaborator/rival Christina Aguilera with getting their remaining artists ready for tonight’s Top Eight performances.
The stakes could not be higher as FOUR artists will be eliminated from the competition tomorrow night.
Who rose to the occasion and might become a finalist? Read on to find out!
Before we get started with the recap, I am very disappointed with the song selection from both artists and coaches. FIVE of the eight solo songs were sung on several other Reality TV talent competitions. For the only remaining singing competition on TV, SHOW SOME ORIGINALITY PLEASE!
Team Adam’s Shalyah Fearing freaked out when she saw Pink sitting next to Adam. She tackled Dreamgirls’ “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” Singing this song is a tall order because she opened up comparisons to other big-voiced singers including Jessica Sanchez, Sam Bailey and Nicole Scherzinger. I have to be blunt and honest, but the three ladies that I just mentioned ran circles her. I could not connect with her, and I believed that she shouted the song. B-
The artists also teamed up to perform duets. Up first, frontrunners Team Blake’s Adam Wakefield and Team Christina’s Alisan Porter. They tackled Bonnie Raitt’s “Angel from Montgomery.” From the first note, I got chills from their combined vocals. I hope that both of them are the last two standing next Tuesday. A+
Team Blake’s Paxton Ingram defeated Team Xtina’s Nick Hagelin last week, and now, he is gunning for the finals. However, he might be eliminated tomorrow night because of his extra cheesy song choice—Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything For Love.” While Pink stated that Paxton has one of the most beautiful voices in the world, it was the wrong performance at the worst possible time of the competition. If Paxton is eliminated tomorrow night, it will be his own fault. He should have done an epic song such as Whitney’s “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” or Prince’s “Take Me With U.” C-
Laith Al-Saadi tackled Adele’s “One and Only.” Before the performance, I thought it was going to be hard for Laith to match American Idol alum Elise Testone’s interpretation of the Adele tune. His haunting bluesy voice hypnotized me from the get-go, and I believe that if The Voice voters put everything that Laith did this season into consideration, then he deserves a spot in next week’s finale. A
Team Christina’s Bryan Bautista and Team Blake’s Mary Sarah tackled Ariana Grande & Zedd’s “Break Free.” I thought that this song was going through both of them in a loop, and my instincts were right. They butchered the track, and I believe that Ariana screamed at the top of her lungs in fury while she watched this train wreck. F
Team Xtina’s Alisan Porter tackled “Desperado” for her Semi-Final performance. Pink geeked out when she met Alisan for the first time, and Alisan revealed that she auditioned Pink’s “Try” during her first round of auditions. I thought no one would touch Melanie Amaro’s version of the song, but Alisan tied with the inaugural X Factor USA winner. Between her phrasing and subtle-yet-mighty vocals, Alisan proved to me that she deserved a place in the finale. A+
Team Pharrell’s Hannah Huston joined Laith in a fiery cover of Disco and rock classic “Knock on Wood.” Their voices beautifully blended and it made get up from my chair and dance in my apartment. Overall, it was a great feel-good performance that made up from the lackadaisical vocal performances from some of their fellow finalists. A-
Adam returned to the stage and tackled one of his coaches’ songs—“ I’m Sorry.” It was amazing to learn that some of his former vocal students were Pink fans and that he helped them prepare for their respective recitals. I am so glad that Blake and Pink suggested that Adam take the Chris Stapleton-penned tune up a step because this was one of Adam’s best vocals of the season. I hope to see Adam in next week’s finale. A+
Bryan tackled Xtina’s “Hurt” and used this song as the conduit for reconnecting with his absent father. Last year, his fellow Team Xtina alum India Carney performed the track and cemented her place in Season Eight’s Top Five. I give him a lot of credit for performing one of Xtina’s songs, but this was not my cup of tea. The band drowned him out during several parts of the track, and his voice blew out multiple times. Worst performance of the night! F
The final duet of the evening was Paxton and Shalyah’s cover of Jessie J’s “Masterpiece.” I liked the idea of having the two underdogs being paired together, but at the same time…viewers could tell why they were the Weakest Links of this season’s Top Eight. Sometimes, their vocals were shaky, and Shalyah screeched her lines. This was an utter mess! F
Mary Sarah chose Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis’ “I Told You So.” I love Mary, but this performance felt like I was listening to excruciating bad Carrie Underwood karaoke. The show is called The Voice, not The Impersonator. If Mary Sarah is lucky to make it to next week’s finale, she needs to show off her real voice and try extremely hard not to impersonate her fellow country artists. F
Hannah closed out the night with her interpretation of “When A Man Loves A Woman.” It was very hard not to listening to this performance and not reminiscing about Idol alum Joshua Ledet’s outstanding, show-stopping performance of this soul anthem. However, the Midwestern school teacher captivated me at the beginning with her a cappella opening and fiery raspy vocals. If we need another girl to join Alisan in the finale, I really hope that girl is Hannah. She has killed it all season long and I believe that this performance will help her get into next week’s finale. A-
Tomorrow night, “The Voice: Season 10” Final Four are revealed!
I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article. They belong to FOX, FremantleMedia, iTV, 19 Entertainment & Syco Entertainment.
