buckybruce

I saw that special, I believe it was on PBS, and it was called "Women of Soul". She sang "Last Dance" by Donna Summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeUiq1ODKz8. She was great. However, I saw her in concert at the Sony Centre in Toronto later that year, and while she was excellent, the local promoters made a big mess of it. Terrible opening acts, terrible sound, terrible lighting...they even had a raffle draw onstage between acts, like it was in a church basement. If an artist as good as her can't get record company support, well, what hope is there for other Voice winners?

Congrats to Jordon...I'm not too sure where his talent will take his career, but, I think if he was strong enough to resist some of Adam's song "choices", and stay true to himself, he will have whatever measure of success he is capable of. I thought Jeffrey would score higher than Baber, but, the country force is strong in this one.... I think Emily Ann might just be the breakthrough artist, at least in country.....she's blond, cute, adorable,way more personable that Danielle, has a decent voice that will only get better, and, if she gets the right material to sing (and that's the really hard part). It must be tough on these kids to go back to "ordinary" life...

JMO, but I think Korin was relieved to be gone. I got that just from her body language. I think she was realizing that Gwen was making her in a "Mini-Me" and, it ultimately made her uncomfortable. I think her problem with remembering her lyrics, were her mind telling her to "run away". Watching this show now, makes me long for the season of Tessanne Chin. I looked forward to hearing her sing every night. This lot....I'm watching more out of "duty" than anything else.

The Winner is.....Zach!!!!!

Well, I called Meaghan to win it, but she just couldn't get past the Sawyer juggernaut (which I still don't understand). He has a unique voice, but his range is limited. and if doesn't write and perform his own music, I can't see him making it singing other peoples material. (he got drowned out singing with Fogerty) Of all the artists, the one that most impressed me with her progress from the start to finish was Koryn. She just exuded confidence, and stage presence, and if she learns to take a bit of the edge off the growl to her voice (or at least not use it so much), she may just be a huge star by the time she's 20. Joshua...I really liked his original tune, but, then again, it just sounds too much like Springsteen or John Mellencamp....it might hit on AOR Rock or Easy Listening stations, but certainly not pop stations.

Well...I didn't call that, as I thought Koryn would be going home, and certainly not Kimberly. Although, maybe Kimberly peaked too early, and maybe Middle Christian America didn't like the "crotch grab" on Dirty Diana. And in the things that make you go "hmmmm"....Koryn is 17, and has a 1 year old "brother".

Koryn goes home. Based on both performances, but "Dream On" was a particularly poor choice. Kimberly is the best all around performer, and except for what I think is an "oversue" of her "raspy" voice, possibly the best all around "singer" in the competition. I still pick Meaghan to win it all, but, I have to say, I wish Blake would stop going for the "Christian" vote to save his singers. And Meaghan has to pick some really great songs for next week, and the finals, to win it. I still really enjoy Joshua's voice....I could see me buying his album, pouring a nice wine, or filling a bowl, and just chillin' for few hours. Sort of see the Sawyer love,,,,,he has ton's of talent, a unique voice, but he's not "The Voice" winner to me. India will be top 3, but that's it. That is all...

I put my money down on Meaghan to win this, but I included the caveat that she needs to sing the right songs....and sadly, "Something" isn't it. She just doesn't get the emotion behind the song. More of the songs like she's sang the last 2 weeks please. Sawyer = Neil Young, Tom Petty, Leonard Cohen....in about 10 years. India...I also love this song, but it needs to be sung simply...at the least 1st verse....then add some of yourself towards the end....but tastefully. India has the chops, but needs more of something to get me to love her. Kimberly....very talented, but not "The Voice". Joshua......if Joshua is a writer, I could see a big career for him after "The Voice". Korn...too raspy, to shouty... Cory....cute, and will get the cute guy votes, but won't go on. Hannah...you know, I liked her last week, and I liked her performance this week as well, but she needs better material. Really strong voice, but it doesn't sound like she's belting, she just seems effortless in all registers.

I called Meaghan a few weeks ago as the eventual winner of the whole "shootin' match", and I'm sticking by that, but she will need three strong songs, and performances, to pull it off. She has a great voice, and connects with her material by having some "life experience". I find her a bit stiff onstage, and last night was a perfect example of that, by comparing her stage presence to Reba's. She needs to keep doing material in what I'm calling "blusey country roots r&b soul". I agree with sending Rob & Deanna home, and saving Josh. I just do not get the "Sawyer luv"....I really liked his blind audition, but nothing he has done since has impressed me. Plus, he never seems to blink, he always looks like a "deer in the headlights". I'm thinking that the singer/songwriter is the niche' for him. Plus, the hat thing is getting old...why not ditch the hat, and wear the hair back in a ponytail for a change. I don't dislike Corey, or like him. He just "is". Dime a dozen new country "bro" singer. I want to like India....I really do....great technical chops, but not a lot of taste. Kimberly Nicole...will need to step it up to win it. Finally....I have to say that I think that a lot of Deanna's "nerves" probably are due to something very common to teenage girls...poor self body image. I'm trying not to sound creepy here (as a 56 year old male), but, I find her "body type" extremely attractive. She is tall, and has a large frame. If she weighed any less, she would look emaciated.That white bell-bottomed outfit would make anyone's hips look "wide". Just a guess, but I think that those who are "sniping" at her appearance, are most likely female. I think it's worth noting that one of the best female voices of the last 50 years, Barbara Streisand, had/has almost crippling stage fright issues. It's been revealed she vomits before nearly all her live performances, due to her "nerves". And yet, once she gets her first song finished, she is all right, and performs the rest of the concert like only "Babs" can. Deanna could, and likely would, have a very good career post-Voice, if she pursues a singing career. She has a unique voice, that would only improve with time, and some voice lessons, Plus, her youth, and her appearance don't hurt. And of course, the right material.

Meaghan (I hope I'm spelling this correctly) Lindsey for the win!!! I almost think her association with Blake has hurt her up to now, but now that she's made the live shows, I think she can win it all, given the correct songs to sing.

Random thoughts - I think the Bruno Mars rollers in the hair is a shout out to the video of this song. I thought Gwen was lip-synching on " Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Chris and Jesse J was a great duet...she seemed really into him, and very generous in sharing the lyrics (more so than Jennifer Hudson and Damien...someone posted above that JH is a little "fierce" for Damien, and that's it exactly).

Man...I get such a grin on my face, thinking of "ole Blake" just lying in the weeds, biding his time, not saying much of anything, and making plans. Except for backing the wrong horse early on (hello David James Carter, that could have been you up there tonight, if you weren't so arrogant, and so "above it all"), he never makes a mistep when it comes to a country artist.

Someone should cut little Jax's hair though....poor wee lad...he kept looking around like.." I just wanna go to sleep...why are you people so noisy?"

Got to love it....Blake is DA Man!!! Adam will jump off a building tonight....3 chances our of 4, and he still comes up empty. Congrats to Craig Wayne Boyd.!!!! Did you see Jennifer Hudson almost "spill" out of dress backstage? She did not look happy. But, wow, she is a curvy girl, and love her short hair. Has Damien always been that short? She towered over him in heels. Agree with above....the girls doing Bang Bang in those hot red dresses. Man, they butchered Fleetwood Mac.....Stevie will never come back to be a mentor after that. Got to love Uptown Funk....but didn't I hear it 20 some years ago? Maybe this generation is getting some musical taste...or what is old is always new again. And CWB and Skynard....that must have been like living in a dream for him.

While I really enjoy "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", it's really more of a "crooner's" standard than someone like Matt. (although he did sing with great emotion, his musical style just doesn't fit).