Adam Levine has a pose down with key advisor Taylor Swift during a taping of “The Voice: Season Seven” Knockout Rounds. (Photo property of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
It seems like bring in a fresh face to The Voice was a good idea!
Key advisor Taylor Swift helped eight artists deliver some of their best performances so far this season!
Tonight, 12 more artists will have their chance to perform for their lives to earn a spot on their coaches’ teams. But, with Pharrell’s acquisition of Sugar Joans and Adam stealing Taylor Phelan, there are only steals left to play! Did Gwen or Blake use their steal? Read on to find out…
Our first Knockout of the night belonged to Team Gwen! She paired Troy Ritchie and Taylor John Williams together. Troy revealed that he was going to tackle Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” (he wanted to show his animated character persona). Gwen wanted him to leave the original and flip the song around. Meanwhile, Taylor tackled Tears for Fears’ “Mad World.” During his battle, Adam called him out for playing close to the vest. Gwen advised Taylor told him to go for the original route.
Troy started out with the acoustic version of the show and once, he put his guitar down…he definitely put on a show! Troy also looked like he was having the time of his life. But, Troy needs to be careful that he does not lose his breath while jumping on stage. This is The Voice…not The Entertainer!
As for Taylor John Williams, he had a tall order to follow! Six years ago, a certain singer named Adam Lambert transformed the 1980s classic into a modern-day anthem that received critical acclaim from fans, judges and critics alike. I liked Taylor’s storyteller approach to the song and I finally understood him as an artist.
It was time for Gwen to choose between energy versus storytelling! During the Coaches’ Comments, Adam and Blake disagreed about who won the battle as the stalwarts chose Troy and Taylor each. But, Pharrell praised Taylor’s hypnotic runs. At the end of the commentary, Gwen chose Taylor and Troy was eliminated.
Blake praised Mia’s song selection, but thought Alessandra won the battle! Pharrell loved Mia’s moment and thought Alessandra pulled people into the performance. Gwen called Alessandra’s voice “effortless,” but was part of the minority and would choose Mia. Adam chose the minority and I did not like his decision! Alessandra would have won the show!
Pharrell closed the night with Elyjuh Rene and Ricky Manning! Elyjuh tried to keep it cool when Taylor showed up at his rehearsal. For his Knockout round performance, he chose Chris Brown’s “With You.” Pharrell wanted Elyjuh to show his tender side with the track; Taylor added that Elyjuh should loosen up!
Ricky decided to pick out with a very familiar tune to The Voice viewers: Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball.” Both Matthew Schuler and Christina Grimmie tore this song up in their respective seasons, so he had to man up and deliver! Taylor and Pharrell added that he needed to act like a star.
During the Knockout, Elyjuh’s pleasant tone was a nice treat to my ears and his falsetto was cool, but I thought I was watching a show choir audition. There was a lot of theatricality and there are only certain singers that can deliver it well. He needs to work on his stage presence.
Ricky ended the night with his performance of Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball.” I loved that he gave an R&B-Rock hybrid twist to the infamous song. Ricky’s vocals were crystal and I loved the fact that he commanded the stage and soared above the challenge!
Pharrell made a hard decision…. which landed with a steal! He chose Elyjuh to move on and the rest of the coaches were shocked! Gwen rectified Pharrell’s blunder and stole Ricky!
Next week, the Knockouts continue and one singer will land Blake’s steal!
