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).

I felt it was very honest.....and it was nothing like Will Champlain. Will was "vote for me, I have a family that needs this". CWB was more about his own absent father (long haul trucker), and what's going to happen to his father/son relationship if he achieves even a measure of the success of someone like Blake Shelton. (do Blake and Miranda have kids together?)

I think we are seeing an amazing shift here with The Voice, as this final "sing-off" becomes more about who gets to sing the "best" song. If I had to rate this night, I would make it a "tie" between Craig Wayne Boyd & Chris (since they are completely different genres), with Damien a very, very, close 2nd, and Matt a distant fourth. (I've never liked his voice, and I thought the song was weak). To be honest, this (original songs tailored to each artist) makes way more sense than someone trying to write a "one-size-fits-all" song. It's been at least 36 minutes since I've heard these songs, and I can still sing the choruses to myself, Craig's song, Chris's song, and Damien's song. And this approach, may just be what "breaks" a Voice winner into the mainstream. I often thought Tessanne would have made it, with a better single/song, as she certainly had the 'chops".

They all do it...Adam with his "most favourite song ever"....Gwen with "that brought tears to my eyes", and Pharrel with "you know what kind of artist you are". To be honest, with virtually no time to really listen and critique, what do you expect? It's not the Kiwana's Music Festival...

Country music alway has had a Gospel component to it...every big country act pulls one out of their pocket when it's needed. Still, it was a chilling performance...Praise the Lord.

I'm really, really, surprised at how poorly Pharrell did. I guess you can only catch so much "lightning in a bottle" in one year. I was also surprised that Chris got through on the Twitter Save instead of Danica. I hate the Twitter Save concept. But then again, maybe not so surprised. The demographic that would support Chris probably is completely comfortable with social media...the people that would support Danica, maybe not so much. Luke....choked again. And what's with all the eye blinking? Would it be because of his glass eye, and possibly his good eye tearing up? Craig Wayne Boyd....no more coasting next week....time to bring "the heat".

Off all The Eagles song's, why that old chestnut for CWB? it's old, even in the Eagles catalogue (1972). And it's a deceptively hard song to sing, with lots of long held notes. That's so the Eagles classic harmonies can shine, and that's what made it a hit. if Craig/Blake wanted fast song, that Glenn Fry sang, why not "Heartache Tonight"?(1979). Ryan has to be bottom three again this week.Props tho, for trying to sing Steve Perry, but it just didn't happen. Your voice is just too thin sounding in the upper register. When Steve Perry sings the softer parts of the song, you just know there's a raging beast of a voice banging the bars trying to get out and soar to the clouds. Ryan just doesn't have the chops for that song. Danica...again...props for attempting to sing Heart, she nearly landed it. Damian....have to admit you had the best performance tonight. Matt....like Blake, I'm not familiar with the song, but it was a good (but not great) performance. Taylor 3 Names...bottom three Chris....white guys can't jump, and you just can't bring it to a Marvin Gay classic. Although, you be cute. (I say that in a totally hetro way as well) Time to go home and deliver some more mail. Luke...time to go home. You've had too many squandered opportunities.

I don't think Taylor Swift lip-synched, but, she might have been singing along into a live mic, with a track of herself, which is quite common, especially during the parts of the performance where they was a lot of physical movement on her part. Gwen, on the other hand, lip-synced her entire performance with her team last week. I also, have been impressed with TS, especially the way she blew Adam off when he started going on about his "cyborg parts" during the mentor rehearsals. What was her response?...."yeah, like thats a subject we need to talk about, like...never.". "The Douche" just didn't know how to handle that, and when asked by Carson how he like working with TS, he said something about her "busting his chops". I had pretty much written off Taylor Swift after her performance with Stevie Nicks at the 2011(?) Grammy awards. She was so out of tune, Stevie kept looking over at her, wondering what the hell was wrong with her. I thought at the time, "pretty girl, she writes songs that seem to touch people in the country genre, and she could be a model", but, girl, take some singing lessons. I'm not unhappy to be proven wrong on this.

America got it right. Reagan & Anita were just awful. With Ryan just marginally better in terms of performance. Gwen will be happy her little boy toy will still be around for another week to crush on. It will be between CWB and Harry Potter for the final two, and, like most elections, it will be who gets out to vote. I can't vote up here in the Great White North, and am too tech phobic to try and figure out how to get around the out of country voter blocking, but, would vote for CWB for the win. Just like I would have voted for Tessanne, had I been able. It was nice to see The Voice treated all the Top Ten, and their families to a Thanksgiving dinner. Interesting to see CWB take the lead as the "elder statesman" of the group when making a toast. He just seems so genuine as a person. He alluded to once to making "bad choices". I wonder what they were?

Craig Wayne Boyd for the win!!! Blake so called it during rehearsal when he said the only difference between him and Craig was he had a couple of lucky breaks, and CWB hadn't. I could hear CWB on any country radio station tomorrow, see him on the charts, see him opening for a major artist, and winning a CMA award in the next two years. All he needs is "The Song". He has all the tools. I wonder if he writes? He certainly is creative, that rendition of "Walk the Line" was great. Also....Danica's version of Whitney....ok, but, not even up to a Tessanne Chin standard, who did a great job on it. Damien...I like his voice, but not the song choices. Reagan...meh....Chris...I have never heard that song before, but A+ for the song, and C+ for Chris. Taylor...please go home. Luke...go home.Anita...

Luke must have thought his number was up, with his "mistake" last night. IMO, everyone got through who should have, but I thought Sugar should have been saved since she had the best last ditch performance. I guess never underestimate the power of a cute boy singing a love song to give all the teen girls some screamin' thigh sweats...