Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC
7. Team Alicia – Chris Blue
Coach Alicia Keys definitely has a front-runner in Chris Blue. However, he’s the opposite of Team Adam’s Jesse Larson. It’s more about the performance than the vocals – which are good, no question. His falsetto vocals on the classic Al Green tune “Love and Happiness” reminded me of Prince as well, while at other times there were touches of James Brown.
However, the best thing about this performance was the staging! Because of it, viewers finally got to see what all the fuss was about in terms of Chris’s dancing. He really does have “the moves like Jagger” – literally! He prances around the stage with moves that are reminiscent of both Mick Jagger and to a lesser extent, Prince!
8. Team Blake – Lauren Duski
Lauren Duski is a classic country artist, and her song “Lord, I Hope this Day Is Good” by Lee Ann Womack is that kind of song. It’s not my cup of tea within the country genre, but she did it flawlessly. She’s definitely in for top four!
I might have appreciated Lauren’s performance more if we hadn’t had four older songs in a row prior. Despite them being from different genres the feel of them blend together – even with all of Chris’s shenanigans on stage. In fact, just for fun, I played all five videos at the same time. They really do kind of blend – although, it’s Aliyah’s vocals that cuts through all of them!
9. Team Adam – Lilli Passero
Lilli Passero got sick enough to have to urgent care and be on an IV to replace fluids. They actually videoed her doing a video call with Adam and Shania just so we’d know it was real. She immediately gets a handicap on her vocals for that. Then she gets another one, because “Man, I Feel Like a Women” by Shania Twain has to be one of the top drunk Karaoke songs for women in existence. Plus, it’s yet another country song. sure it’s a cross-over pop piece, but there’s just been too much of that feel tonight.
Anyway, what makes Lilli a dark horse to make the top four is that despite having been sick she was able to show up on stage and give this song the kind of sparkle and sass required. Even more impressive was the way she changed up chorus. She does the first one exactly like the record – just to show that she can. For a song as well known as this, that was necessary. After that though she put her own spin on the iconic chorus, and it totally worked! Yes, there was one very noticeable vocal crack near the end, but the handicap for being sick covers it.
10. Team Gwen – Brennley Brown
If Lauren is being set up to be the new queen of country, Brennley Brown is being positioned as the princess. Her spin on the 1969 song “Long, Long Time” by the at the time country artist Linda Ronstadt has all the wailing of modern country ballads. However, Brennley’s Achilles heel – enunciation – is back in full during this performance. At least half of what she sings is intelligible. I’m sure she’ll do fine, because the sound of her voice is pretty and can be powerful. Now, if she could get some consistency on articulating the words of the songs she does she’d be golden.
10. Team Blake – TSoul
This guy has a close kinship with country music. He’s soulful, and has a cool tone.
Blake Shelton talking about TSoul
Once again we hear a singer getting notes about their “technical ability” and “vocal gymnastics.” Shania tells him that when he holds a note, your voice is beautiful.” She advises him to cut back on that and do more of holding out the notes. Blake agrees.
Blake is clearly attempting to move TSoul into the country artist lane. That explains giving TSoul the Willie Nelson classic, “You Were Always On My Mind.” Here’s the thing, though, it just might work.
11. Team Gwen – Hunter Plake
Did anyone else say, “Oh, thank God!” when Hunter Plake started his unique version of “Somebody That I Used to Know”? Vocally I kept hearing touches of Sting in his voice, and it’s also in the vibe of how he did this entire piece. Finally, something not remotely connected to country music!
This is another song where Hunter got to show us his incredible artistry. His arrangement and staging of the Grammy-winning Gotye song featuring Kimbra was the perfect marriage of vocals and performance. Gwen admitted that Hunter produced this outing himself. Letting him do so is her best coaching decision yet!
12. Vanessa Ferguson – Team Alicia
The coaching session Vanessa had with Alicia and Shania was by far the best of the night. Alicia showed real insight into how Vanessa could connect with the classic “A Song For You.” This gave Vanessa some confidence that she could do the Donnie Hathaway piece justice.
Shania also was able to key into the kind of singer Vanessa is. She nailed it when she said Vanessa Ferguson reminded her of Gladys Knight. Yes, vocally she’s that good! She commands the stage in similar way as well. Every time this woman performs she has a different look – but always looks fierce!
The Voice Season 12 Top 12 Performances Wrap Up
If we had to pick a top four from this group it would be super hard! I personally would go with Hunter, Chris, Vanessa and Stephanie. My bottom two would be Troy and either Mark or Brenneley. However, having watched the voice long enough and knowing the country music skew, I know Brenneley is going nowhere.
The good news is that Tuesday night we’ll find out which of The Voice Season 12 Top 12 Performances America saved and who are the bottom two. Then it’s instant save time – sorry West Coast voters!
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