After last week’s politically tinged top 12 performances The Voice season 11 top 11 performances opted for a more personal focus on the artists. One device they used for this were periodic split screen formats that featured little moments of the singers preparing for their big number. (There was a lot about the clothes they wore.) It also seemed like everyone who had a romantic relationship in their lives was talking about it.
Musically, some artists chose to delve into songs that revealed more of their history. Others made the policial personal by doing music that reflected their feelings about the current state of affairs in the U.S. A few also seemed to decide this was a good time to explore musical genres that they normally wouldn’t.
As you’ll see the results of all of these things made some of The Voice season 11 top 11 performances pretty darn awesome! Below are my top five standouts – for this week.
The Whitney Houston Tributes: Ali & Courtney
No, there were no official tributes to the iconic songstress Whitney Houston – although coach song Blake Shelton did make sure to name-drop the singer during in reference the rehearsal of his artist Courtney Harrell. Nor is this about these singers being just like Whitney. First of all, there is only one Whitney Houston! Secondly, both woman have their own vocal signatures and sound. However, like all things, music grows even as it borrows from the past. Perhaps a better word than tribute would be tradition?
Ali Caldwell: “9 to 5”
Coach Miley Cyrus gave Ali Caldwell the 1980 Dolly Parton cross-over mega hit song “9 to 5” noting to Ali that she wouldn’t give just anyone her godmother’s song. Ali quickly added some her own little spin on it, asking to turn up the bass so they could make it a little more funky.
For Ali the song “9 to 5” resonated because it’s about female empowerment, which is then a cue for her to introduce her boyfriend and manager who “totally respects” her as a woman who makes her own money and is completely supportive. Ali also decides that something about the song needs some “Tina Turner shimmy” which you’ll see her wearing with great effect in the video. Incidentally, this was the show’s first number! opener. Keep an eye out for coach Alicia Keys dancing in her chair!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmWIoGZVxUE?rel=0]
So, why did I call this a Whitney Houston tribute. Two words: The Bodyguard! Watching Ali prance around that stage, I couldn’t stop thinking about Whitney’s big rock/pop number “The Queen of the Night.” It’s not the song or outfit – they have nothing in common – it’s the movement and energy.
Miley and Coach Adam Levine both talked about how this showed Ali could do country music. Yes and no. I mean, Whitney also sang a Dolly Parton country song – and no one would say she was a country artist. “9-5” crossed over to become a number one pop song because it was to big to be locked into a genre. Miley mentioned not wanting Al to be locked in either.
In that way, yes, Ali can do country. That’s because with big voiced country divas, r&b divas, gospel divas, there are similarities in their stage performances. That’s because the key word here is diva!
In The Bodyguard, Whitney’s character, Rachel Marion, was meant to be the ultimate diva and Whitney channeled her performance self in every number. There were many moments where it felt like Ali was channeling Whitney! Maybe it’s just that there’s a diva essence that is mark of a true star – because Ali wasn’t the only one giving memories of Whitney.
However, just like “Queen of the Night” wasn’t the biggest song off the Bodyguard soundtrack, This wasn’t the best performer for Ali on iTunes. In fact, she didn’t even chart.
Courtney Harrell, “What I did for Love”
Courtney took this Broadway tune from A Chorus Line and made it a pop/r&b anthem in the vein of Whitney’s verison of “I Will Always Love You”! In the rehearsal, Blake did tell her to go more Whitney, and we see her make some deliberate vocal changes to evoke Whitney’s style. It works!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKI9ODJFs4M?rel=0]
Courtney told Blake that she sang the song in high school – and hadn’t done it since. Her connection to the song’s meaning is about having her son. Despite things not working out the child’s father and having to give up pursuing a singing career in order to raise him, she has no regrets. She’s talked before about what a gift her child is to her. Here she simply states, “My son was born in love.” It’s what she did for love and those emotions pour through her performance.
Courtney charted on iTunes this week and was at number 73 as of noon today. Being that last week she didn’t chart and was still saved by America, it’s probable that she’s made the cut this week as well.
Doing Some Music Makeovers: Sundance, Christian, Austin
These guys took some famous songs and remolded them into new versions that can stand proudly in comparison!
Sundance Head: “No One”
Oh, yes he did! Sundance Head took that song by Alicia and successfully turned into a soulful country ballad!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z5oR_CJhxk?rel=0&w=640&h=360]
For Sundance, the song wasn’t a strict love song. Instead, he told Blake it was about his wife and kids – what they mean to him. However, it was also a way to show Alicia that when he came on the show and said he’d grown up listening to and loving her music it wasn’t just lip-service. Despite the different styling of the song, the soulful essence of it that is Alicia remains intake.
As of noon on 11/22/16 Sundance was at number 9 on iTunes so he will be getting that times five multiplier to his votes. He is the only one that made the top 10 – so it’s safe to say he will definitely not be going home!
Christian Cuevas: “Rosanna”
Creatively, this was another great re-imagining of a classic. It keeps the song’s basic tempo, melody and structure – and yet with those conga drums and his moments of breakout phrasing Christian has totally made it his.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0nYPuGY1Sg?rel=0]
Why did Christian pick this song? Because last week he proposed to his girlfriend of three years and she said yes! Congratulations, Christian! What was also good, this was a bit more uptempo than his usual stuff. We know he can do those mega power ballads that will leave people sobbing on the floor. This was slightly out of his comfort zone, but he was great! (After seeing him do this, I’m ready for him to tackle The Red Hot Chili Peppers! Then he can go throw down some more Luther Vandross.)
I am a little concerned about Christian…he was only 114 on iTunes.
Austin Allsup: “Turn The Page”
For me, this was the best performance Austin Allsup has done all season. You know someone’s done a good job when you can’t remember what the original sounded like when their done. When done by Bob Segar this song has prettiness to it and is about resignation.
There’s none of this in Austin’s version. Austin’s rough growl in his singing and overall intensity give the song real anger, bitterness, a touch of despair. He’s wicked on that guitar as well!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytSihLlVWU4?rel=0]
Austin told Blake he could relate to this song because he’s been living it. He’s tired of being away from his family. This performance reflected that reality. I think many people felt that as he charted at 44 on iTunes.
The Other Performances
It’s not that any of these were bad, but for me, they weren’t memorable. I’m sure you’re surprised by who wasn’t in the top for me, so I’ll start with those.
Billy Gilman: “All I Ask”
The first thing coach Adam says to is to not worry about this being another Adele song. Frankly, that comment was more likely the audience. This is his third one. Adam talks about how this time will be a chance for him to be more intimate and emotional with the audience – as opposed to just great vocals.
Adam: “You’re so talented, that you run the risk of, when something’s easy for you, it can sound like you’re phoning it in.”
That kind of insight is what makes Adam a great coach. However, I’m not sure that doing another Adele song is the answer. As for it being “stripped down” with just piano – that’s how Adele sings it, so I didn’t see it as being innovative.
I still feel like Billy’s best performance was his blind audition of “When We Were Young.” There it felt like Billy had a real connection to the lyrics he was singing. He truly revealed a part of his soul. As much as I love Billy’s voice, I don’t feel like he’s done that since. Don’t get me wrong, his vocals here are gorgeous, but during the blinds I got chills when he sang. for this performance I did get glimpses of his emotions behind the words, but I didn’t get chills.
Also, doing the arrangement basically the way Adele does didn’t help the situation. Unlike his blind audition I did find myself comparing his version to Adele’s. Adele won. Billy and Adam need to find a song that he can dig into emotionally – not just vocally.
At the same time, it’s not like Billy’s ever done anything like a bad performance. There’s no denying his sheer vocal talent. On iTunes he was at number 11 at noon – just missing getting the times five multiplier bonus. There is no way this favorite it going home anytime soon! However, when we get down to the top six…well, the ones that makes people feel the most are the ones who will stay. At that point, everyone left can’t be called anything but stellar in terms of vocals.
We McDonald: “Love on the Brain”
Basically, the issue I had with We is the same one I had with Billy, The difference is that it’s the first time I’ve had it come up with We.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hy23gRgPRY?rel=0]
Now, in that adorable pantsuit We looks amazing! (There was definitely some Alicia style coming through!) Furthermore, her vocals were great – as usual. I mean, some of the notes she does are just crazy. The problem? I didn’t for one moment believe her in terms of what she was singing about.
“Love on the Brain” is a Rihanna song. It is a straight-up song about love and sex. It oozes with hot sensuality in every note. We is a young 17. She can’t pull it off, no matter how deep or high her voice gets. Maybe if she’s gone for a different interpretation of the song from her own perspective it would have worked. We’ doing all those staged little “whoo’s”? She has no idea – and that showed.
No worries about We’ going home though. She was number 34 on iTunes! She and Billy are the most likely to be in the top 3, so the fact that I didn’t love either of them this week – not a big deal.
Aaron Gibson: Hurt
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuePHK4M3-o?rel=0]
Aaron was fine on this, although some of the really low notes weren’t there. He shared with Miley that since he’s dealt with depression the song was easy for him to relate to. This classic by Nine-Inch Nails is firmly in his alternative rock wheelhouse. Whether he makes the top three or not, this guy’s gonna get a deal somewhere. For now, he charted at 39, so, barring any backlash from last week’s eliminations, he should be safe.
Brendan Fletcher: “The River”
Covering Bruce Springsteen was a good song choice for Brendan Fletcher. “The River” isn’t my favorite by The Boss, but it’s still, you know, The Boss.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV7qmh16eDw?rel=0]
Josh Gallagher: “Drunk on Your Love”
Josh feels like the truest country artist on The Voice – even with a baseball cap. He doesn’t always have the strongest vocals but it’s not about that for him. It’s the way he just feels so genuine that puts him over the top. factor.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1pv8IRWDV8?rel=0]
Darby Walker: You Don’t Own Me
Does anyone remember season 3 of The Voice and a teenager named Melanie Martinez? She didn’t have the strongest or purest vocals, but she was riveting to watch. Basically you either loved or hated her. Darby reminds me of her.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RFsn49Do6E?rel=0]
Melanie made it to the top 8 before she was eliminated. (Also, just an FYI: Melanie is currently poised to become one of biggest stars to come out of The Voice.) I wonder how far Darby will go on the show. She charted well on iTunes – she went to number 45 which should hold her. I really don’t like the idea of Ali being on the bottom though…. Guess we’ll have to wait for the elimination rounds on Tuesday.
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