Meghan Linsey, Koryn Hawthorne, Sawyer Fredericks & Joshua Davis competed during “The Voice: Season Eight!” (Photo property of NBC & United Artists Media Group)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Countless artists auditioned, but only 48 singers were able to catch the ears of Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Pharrell Williams and Christina Aguilera.
After superb Battle and Knockout Rounds, the remaining 20 artists hit the Voice stage for the Live Playoffs and only a few made it to the Live Shows. Over the past couple of weeks, viewers were shocked with surprise eliminations (we wish you were in the finale: Sarah Potenza, Hannah Kirby, Kimberly Nichole and India Carney) and rallied behind four artists-Joshua Davis (Team Adam), Meghan Linsey, Sawyer Fredericks and Koryn Hawthorne (both Team Pharrell).
Tonight, the show’s Final Four dueled for the right to join Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbury, Tessanne Chin, Josh Kaufman and Craig Wayne Boyd in the winner’s circle and recording contract from the Universal Music Group!
Who stole the show? What songs did the Top Four perform? Did Coach Aguilera (whose team was unfairly eliminated before the finale) influence the vote? Read on to find out…
17-year-old Koryn Hawthorne kicked off the first round of the evening with “It’s A Man’s World.” In all honesty, Koryn should not have sung that song! Juliet Simms, Joshua Ledet, Sisaundra & Biff Gore own that track. While she delivered a nice performance, it did not blow my mind like the three covers. C+
Meghan Linsey debuted her new single: “Change My Mind.” This was a Meghan Linsey original and her goal is to empower younger women and I think that she has a hit single on her hands. I received a strong case of the goosies and this was her best performance all season! Brava, Meghan! I finally got you! A
One thing that I look forward to during The Voice finales that I look forward to are the artist-coach collaborations. Up first, Sawyer Fredericks and Pharrell Williams, they tackled Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze.” Sawyer rocked, but Pharrell’s limited range was a huge factor in this boring performance. C+ (I am still jonesing for a Kimberly Nichole & Xtina duet)
Joshua Davis delivered his debut song: “The Workingman’s Hymn.” Joshua talked about the struggles that he faced growing up and living in Detroit. Joshua’s original song reminds me of what happens when Kid Rock’s hard rock sound meets John Fogerty. As much as I knocked Joshua down all season long, Joshua has some sturdy original material that could give Dave Matthews a run for his money. A-
Sawyer got a thrill of a lifetime when his idol, Ray LaMontagne, gave him an original song for him to perform at the finale. “Please” showcased Sawyer at his best. Every lyric stabbed me in the gut and I believe that Mr. LaMontagne just handed Sawyer a show-winning victory. A+
Koryn and Pharrell returned to the stage with a funky riff of Stevie Wonder’s interpretation of “We Can Work It Out.” While Koryn soared on the vocals, Pharrell needed some to improve on the vocals because his own pupil sang him off stage! B+
I am very particular on who sings Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” While Branden James and Matthew Schuler soared when they tackled the iconic hit, Joshua stumbled greatly. I did not even feel something from Joshua—sorry Joshua you lost this round. D+
Meghan Linsey joined forces with Blake to deliver a fiery cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Freeway of Love.” From the word “Go,” Meghan slayed the Queen of Soul hit and Blake did not disappoint his artist like the “Get Lucky” singer did with both of his duets. This was not only the best duet of the night, but also one of the best Team Blake duets of the entire series! A
For the first time in the history of The Voice, Adam did not sing a Beatles or Elton John song with his remaining artist! The Maroon 5 frontman teamed up with Joshua on Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.” The duo transported the entire audience to the African Sahara and had vocal assist from Ladysmith Black Mambazo. That performance was a great way to close out the artists-coach duets round. A-
Pharrell Williams penned Koryn’s original song: “Bright Fire.” I loved the vibe of the entire track and Koryn’s vocals were like editable pieces of ear candy. I could see this song go all the way to the Top 10 on multiple Billboard and iTunes charts in the near future. A-
I have never thought that Meghan would be singing Percy Sledge & Michael Bolton’s “When A Man Loves A Woman” for the Voice finale. Her polished vocals shined brighter than a diamond and could be the underdog that might derail a Sawyer Fredericks victory. Congrats, Meghan on having the vocal performance of the night! A+
Sawyer Fredericks closed out the night with a cover of Neil Young’s “Old Man.” Throughout the entire competition, Sawyer summoned the spirits of Pete Seeger, Mary Travers and Bob Dylan and brought folk music back to the forefront of American music. Sawyer’s final performance moved me to pieces and win or lose, he has a future in music! A
Tomorrow night, an all-star group of artists including Kelly Clarkson, Ed Sheeran, John Fogerty, Luke Bryan and Sheryl Crow will provide the entertainment as one artist will be named “The Voice.”
I do not own any of the clips that are sprinkled in the article. All “Voice” & “AGT” clips are property of NBC; Joshua Ledet’s “It’s A Man’s World” performance belongs to FOX & FremantleMedia North America.
