The Voice, Season 2-Battle Rounds, Week 2

All right, folks, I hope you've not watched the show tonight just yet, because here we go with the latest round up reagarding the Battle Rounds, which determine who make the Live Shows coming up in April.  BTW, NBC has announced there will be a second show per week as well, a one hour wrap up of the Live Shows, as well as special surprises on Tuesdays, starting April 3rd, in between NBC's "Biggest Loser" and the new reality competition "Fashion Star."  Anyway, if you're up for it, here's tonight's Rounds, blow by blow, along with my own observations...

Battle #1--Geoff McBride vs Sera Hill, Team Christina, singing "Chain Of Fools" by Aretha Franklin

This would prove to be a battle that either one could win, actually, thanks to the vocal strength of Sera Hill and the experience of Geoff McBride.  With a little coaching from R&B legend Lionel Richie (who helped Geoff) and folk pop/country artist Jewel (who assisted Sera), they were able to perfect their techniques, with Geoff learning how to temper his powerful delivery, and Sera being taught how to project her voice to meet his.  Even though I felt Geoff did the better job delivering the tune during the performance, I felt Sera building up the strength she needed.

MY PICK: Sera (again, either one could have taken this)
WINNER:  Sera
TO THE BATTLERS:  Geoff, you proved that age is NOT a weakness when it comes to performing or talent, I am sure that you still made your late father proud.  Sera, you did fine enough to move on, but I would definitely improve on the vocal strength heading into the Live Shows.  Christina believes enough in your talent to do the impromptu duet, now you just need to take that experience and grow.



Battle #2--Charlotte Sometimes vs Lex Land, Team Blake, singing "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster The People

I knew that Lex Land, even with her sultry voice (and I admit, I like her as a singer, as a person, and as a friend to two of my favorite "Voice"-ers, Tje Austin and Nakia), would have a fight on her hands with alternative rocker-would-be Charlotte Sometimes, with her "playful personality" and mad vocal skills.  Still, Lex did her best to come out of her shell (with the help of Blake's wife, singer Miranda Lambert), while former "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson did her job to help temper Charlotte's loud style a bit.  But when it came to the battle, Lex had a sultry presence that was great to watch, but once the turn came to Charlotte, the New Jersey girl let it rip.

MY PICK:  Charlotte
WINNER:   Charlotte
TO THE BATTLERS:  Lex, I know you gave it all that you had, just you were outgunned.  I hope that you had a good experience doing the show, and a lot of tales for your Austin buddies.  Charlotte, you are gonna be a strong competitor during the Live Shows, but like Jesse Campbell, I will ask you to remember to temper that feistiness just a bit.  Confident is good, but being too cocky can give you problems.



Battle #3--Sarah Golden vs Juliet Sims, Team Cee-Lo, singing "Stay With Me" by Rod Stewart

Sarah Golden, much like Lex Land in Blake's battle of the night, is a capable artist, and very capable of adapting her folk rock sound to any song she chooses (as she did with Lady GaGa in her audition).  But with her going against the powerful vocals of rocker Juliet Sims, she had an uphill battle on her hands for sure.  Sarah did receive some much needed counsel on trying to make the song fit, thanks to producer/singer Kenny "Babyface" Edmunds, much like Juliet did on voice control from new R&B star singer/producer Ne-Yo.  But as much as Sarah was able to channel a bit of her personality into this Rod Stewart classic, it was Juilet who took this particular match.

MY PICK:  Juliet
WINNER:   Juliet
TO THE BATTLERS:  Sarah, you have an amazing talent for putting your own feel on songs, and that will make you stronger doing your own music.  Juliet, you're picking up, my dear, the key is to learn how to master that control, whatever song you're doing, but you have some incredible power in your vocals, well done.


Battle #4--Kim Yarbrough vs Whitney Myer, Team Adam, singing "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige

Putting one of the youngest contestants against a senior performer was tough for Christina, but I think Adam may have had it even tougher.  Whitney's developing vocal power against the power and experience of Kim was such that it could have gone either way, to be honest, as well.  And they were learning how to temper those strengths, thanks to coaches alternative rock diva Alanis Morissette (who helped Whitney) and R&B/pop producer/singer Robin Thicke (who aided Kim).  Even though I had thought Whitney would win this one (and I hated seeing these two battle), the performance proved that Kim still had-and HAS-what it takes to take a song to the next level.

MY PICK:  Whitney
WINNER:   Kim  (OK, my second "upset" of the tourney, I sound so NCAA here <G>)
TO THE BATTLERS:  Whitney, I think you do have a bright future ahead, as Adam agreed, all it takes is to just develop your style and your vocal talent, and that comes with experience, as you can learn from Adam and Kim.  Kim, big momma, you also proved that age isn't a factor in making sure you can sing and perform, I am glad this "upset" got you into the Live Shows, you certainly deserve a shot.


Battle #5--Lindsey Pavao vs Lee Koch, Team Christina, singing "Heart Shaped Box" by Nirvana

This was one of the more "interesting" sessions of the Battle Rounds so far, with such a left field choice for both singers, and seeing it, there were a couple moments that either could also have won this round.  Still, Lindsey proved to have the talent for this kind of song, while Lee struggled to make sure he could get the feel of the song.  It also took some good coaching from Jewel (for Lee) and Lionel Richie (for Lindsey) to make sure that their strengths came thru.  But as has been the case tonight, it seems that the people I've picked have been the one that really got into the song and made it their night to shine.

MY PICK:  Lindsey
WINNER:   Lindsey
TO THE BATTLERS:  Lee, I don't think you'll have to worry about not being able to make a living other than by baking fresh bread (but I'd love a pumpernickel loaf when we meet <G>).  I think you have a unique way of approaching a tune, and it'll come thru with some time and experience.  Lindsey, I think you're starting to grow into your own experience, and that time you've done with the coffee shops has paid off-and the best to you in the Live Shows.


Battle #6--Jamar Rogers vs Jamie Lono, Team Cee-Lo, performing "I Wanna Know What Love Is" by Foreigner

Cee-Lo, last year, you put two of my favorite artists against each other, this year, it was time to have one battling a new friend, as Jamar battled Jamie for the next spot.  (And don't ya hate stuff like that?  <G>)  Anyway, with Jamar's powerful vocals, Jamie, indeed, had his work cut out for him, as his voice began to shake and crack a bit during rehearsals.  A bit of coaching from "Babyface" helped out Jamie, true, but I don't think Jamar needed too much more coaching from his idol Cee-Lo or his guest Ne-Yo to help him face the battle.  Jamie did his best to make sure he could get thru it, but there wasn't much doubt who prevailed.

MY PICK:  Jamar
WINNER:   Jamar
TO THE BATTLERS:  Jamie, you showed true courage and spirit and gave it your all, and the vocals you gave were good.  But I know it was bittersweet being beaten out by your new friend, but I hope this isn't the last we hear from you.
Jamar, you are blessed with some powerful vocal ability, and to be honest, your spirit has moved a number of us, particularly me, with what you've done, being to your own hell and back, and now chasing your dream.  You and Tony Vincent join a couple other folks I want SO much to win this contest, just to prove you can fight on.

That's it from here, folks, I hope that you've enjoyed these blogs as much as I've enjoyed writing them.  I know the subjects have ranged from topical to personal, but I hope that you take the time to read them, and please let me know what you think.  I'll be back next Monday/Tuesday with another look at "The Voice," and see you down the road otherwise.  From the Wolffe, take care, be good, God bless, I'm gone, bye-bye.  NUFF SAID!