The Voice Season 2-Battle Rounds, Week 1

All right, guys....as people have found out right now, one of my biggest TV "gotta watch" shows recenly has become NBC's NEW #1 hit show "The Voice."  And I'll be glad to find the link to the NY Times that just popped out the news the other day that "American Idol" has been overtaken, but by bit, and fast, for you.  And the fact that this show has gotten bigger, the shows just need to be better as we head to the big finale.

That being said, the Battle Rounds have begun on Season 2 of "The Voice," with the first such battles taking place last night.  For those STILL finding out about it, we've gotten thru the "blind auditions," where the artists were chosen by the coaches to fill the teams.  Now, each coach will start picking songs, and put two acts against each other singing the same song-and the battles are basically two acts compete on stage, but only ONE will win the battle and move onto to the live show quarterfinals.  The coaches will also feature guest "advisers" to help out the artists as they prepare, and like everything else, the talent backing up Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguliera, and Cee-Lo Green has improved tenfold.  I've alluded to the guest stars last blog, but I will refer to them again shortly.  But last year was already impressive, with some memorable twosomes taking the stage, the best that I can remember, being...

----Beverly McClellan and Justin Grennan doing a great rendition of The Who's "Baba O'Reilly (Teenage Wasteland)" (aka the CSI: New York theme), doing Roger Daltry very much justice
----The soulfully smooth Tje Austin and the powerful bluesman Nakia tackling, and blending well, on Ne-Yo's R&B smash "Closer"
----Frenchie Davis and TeraLynn Ramsey going very toe-to-toe on Beyonce's "All The Single Ladies (Put On A Ring On It)" and tearing the house down
----and the most intense of last year....Vicci Martinez and Niki Dawson going to the wire on Pink's "Perfect" and leaving us all exhausted (and I'm still exhausted)

All right...enter last night's start of the Season 2 Battle Rounds.  By no means were they spectacular as a whole, but it was a good start to what could be a very dynamic and surprising season on "The Voice."  But I'm beginning to wonder if the coaches realize this season has to be bigger and badder than last, now with all the hype, and that the contestants HAVE to bear down.  But here's my take...

Battle #1-Tony Lucca and Chris Cauley, Team Adam, singing "Incredible Day" from U2

I gave Tony the edge on this one IF he and Chris were going to battle to move on, and oddly enough, my thought that they were gonna be doing so was confirmed.  (Sorry, Chris.)  Fortunately, they both had some good help-Tony getting some help from (oddly enough) fellow former child star and alternative rock diva Alanis Morissette, who helped Tony ease his voice into place to fit the song; and Chris getting help to bring out his voice, thanks to another former child actor and now R&B/pop performer Robin Thicke (actor Alan Thicke of "Growing Pain"'s son).  Even though Chris had the stronger vocals, I felt that Tony was a bit more polished in his delivery, even though not as loud.    This is a strong battle round that the artists need to take a look at, to see where to go on the show, and not a bad tool for anyone else trying out for the show.

MY PICK:  Tony Lucca
WINNER:   Tony Lucca
 TO THE BATTLE ARTISTS:  Tony, you did come thru with it, although more subtle, but you'll have to make sure that voice is more determined.  Chris, you've got a smooth delivery usually, and I think you've got some good "pipes" (as I call "chops"), I'm sure this isn't the last we'll see of you.


Battle #2-RaeLynn and Adley Stump, Team Blake, singing "Free Fallin'" from Tom Petty

Blake, to be honest, you misstepped on your battle rounds, this one being one of the two I liked least, all because of what some people did and did NOT make the cut on the auditions.  This was a clear case of the song NOT fitting the contestants, although I know both of them did their best.  And it wasn't because of the lack of help-Adley being mentored by former season 1 "American Idol" champ (and Blake's new BFF) Kelly Clarkson (but points for sticking it to Randy and Ryan, though <G>); while RaeLynn got to meet the other half of her idols, none other than Blake Shelton's wife, country spitfire Miranda Lambert (and that was a heartwarming meeting, indeed).  Just the way the battle rang out, RaeLynn had too much country "twang" in her performance, while Adley, although slightly better on the vocal strength, wasn't much better, either.  This one could have gone either way, although I guessed probably Blake would be strategizing who might be better for the live shows, as some have kind of suggested.

MY PICK: RaeLynn (although Adley could have taken this)
WINNER: RaeLynn
TO THE BATTLE ARTISTS:  RaeLynn, you definitely did your best, considering the material, but you might get Blake to get you "closer to home" for the Live Shows.  Adley, you actually do have some power to your vocals, I think this was just the wrong song and the wrong opponent for you-and we will be keeping our eyes to see what happens for our favorite sorority girl this year.  Hugs, m'dear.


Battle #3-Chris Mann vs Monique Benabou, Team Christina, singing "The Power Of Love" by Celine Dion

Monique, I felt, needed some fine tuning on her strength, while Chris (the opera "mann") had to learn control over his delivery.  Forunately, there was some expert help here as well-thanks to Chris working with R&B/funk/pop/adult legend Lionel Richie, and Monique getting some expert help from award winning singer/songwriter Jewel.  Even though there were moments it seemed like the both of them were a little off balance, it was still a good duet (and BTW, that song HAS been done before by both male and female artists-Laura Branigan originally in '80, Air Supply a couple years later in '82, and Celine's version in '92-and if I'm wrong on any of the dates, I apologize).  And this was one that could have gone either way, although I think Chris' voice carried a little better.

MY PICK: Chris Mann
WINNER:  Chris Mann
TO THE BATTLE ARTISTS:  Chris, going from opera to pop can't be an easy task, thankfully, you had a coach that understands how to handle vocal strength.  Monique, I think you developed well with Christina, although not as good as you wanted, don't give up and learn the lessons from all of this, and you will be stronger.


Battle #4-Angie Johnson vs Cheesa, Team Cee-Lo, singing "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" by Bonnie Tyler

Cheesa has some powerful strength in her voice that needed polishing, but I felt Angie Johnson had the stronger voice, enough to make her a stronger pick in my team standings.  Both these ladies also received some serious help-Cheesa got help from producer/artist extraordinaire Kenny "Babyface" Edmunds (YES, the sometime partner of "X Factor" judge LA Reid-Simon and LA, are you watching this? <EG>), while Angie received help from one of the hottest new artist/producers in R&B, Ne-Yo (hmmm, his song featured last year, and he becomes a fan, go fig <G>).  The battle was intense on both sides, but I felt Cheesa kind of fell apart towards the end of the song, while Angie's voice picked up as the song progressed. 

MY PICK: Angie Johnson
WINNER: Cheesa    (DANG, Angie didn't win, but give Cheesa credit <G>)
TO THE BATTLE ARTISTS:  Cheesa, develop your strength and control before you hit the Live Shows, it's gonna be critical if you want to move on.  Angie, our singing Staff Sargeant, like others, I was proud to see you become the "Josh Gracin," kinda, of "The Voice."  You're a credit to the troops and a credit to your talent, you have a VERY powerful voice-I wish you well as you probably head back to military duty.  Cee-Lo, Carson, and the gang were glad to have you around, as I was, stay safe and sing strong!


Battle #5-Jordis Unga vs Brian Fuente, Team Blake, "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette (Ironic, eh? <G>)

Jordis has a uniquely strong voice, but Brian's not terribly far off, either.  But even with the coaching help-Brian with Kelly Clarkson, and Jordis with Miranda Lambert-Blake, I hate to say it AGAIN, but WRONG song choice, buddy.  During the performance, Jordis couldn't keep a firm control on her performance, and she started going to pieces a bit.   And Brian got to a point his vocals went all over the place a bit as well.  What's the line from Star Wars that makes me sound like Yoda right now?  Oh, yeah, "control, control, you must learn control."  <G>  But to say that Jordis did have the better vocal ability, even with this performance.

MY PICK: Jordis Unga
WINNER:  Jordis Unga
TO THE BATTLE ARTISTS:  Brian, it's a matter of making sure the vocals fit the song, and I'm not sure if this one would have made a good impact.  Jordis, at least you gave the better shot, I am glad, but just make sure your nerves DON'T let it get the better of you again.  That can spell some disaster, and as the one I still see as possibly Blake's overall Finalist, again, you gotta learn control. 


Battle #6-Jesse Campbell vs Anthony Evans, Jr., Team Christina, singing "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keyes

Again, I had the feeling THESE two were gonna be battling it out to move on-and that Anthony was in for the fight of his life.  That's two for two, I need to be betting in Vegas here.  <G>  But I saw Jesse getting a little cocky and throwing a little much attitude at Anthony-TOO much gets you off the show in a hurry, my friend, it takes some confidence and making sure it doesn't become arrogance.  But with a little help from Lionel Richie (who helped bring Jesse back to earth, by telling him to work without working too hard) and Anthony Evans, Jr. (who helped bring Anthony bring out the passion), the artists made sure to get themselves ready.  And what developed was the equivalent of both the Frenchie vs TaraLynn AND Vicci vs Niki battles last year COMBINED-try "knock you out of your freakin' chair, it's THAT DAMNED good" type performance.  Anthony's voice was rough, Jesse's being smooth (geez, reminds me of another "collaboration" from last year, too), and they just combined into one powerful, POWERFUL performance.  The fact that these two are gospel singers by bcakground, we can definitely say that they "took us to church," INDEED.  And to say I am now fans of the two of them is an understatement.

MY PICK:  Jesse Campbell  (barely, but yes)
WINNER:   Jesse Campbell
TO THE BATTLE ARTISTS:  Anthony, you have won my respect, your talent shone thru at the right time, it was just the fact that Jesse was just that little bit better, and you were gracious in your defeat, I know this isn't end for you, my friend.  Jesse, GREAT job, but let me state the one thing-DON'T get cocky, even though you are my number one pick to win.  You want it all, but let it come to you and take it easy while doing it, but not where you have to lighten up on your vocals.  But getting to be an egomaniac may hurt you along the way when all is said and done on "The Voice," I know you're fighting for the chance to improve your career.  I promise you that can happen, and you can still wind up being someone that we can like a lot.


WHEW....that's it for this go-around of the blog.  The main thing I will say to all the artists who have made it thru, find your focus, find your heart, find your strength (mentally and in your vocal ability), and make sure that the journey does not get the best of you.  That will carry you thru the competition and the "after life" that awaits.  You've joined a big phenomenom, now the biggest new competition in the country, according to all the magazines, news sites, and on the web.  And trust me, I've seen every article now available, every website possible, and even got the Rolling Stone issue to prove it-and the only thing left on my bucket list concerning The Voice is to finally meet some of these artists and all in person one day.  They've made a lot of people believe artists have talent, passion, and heart again, yours truly now damned included in that mix.

Until I gab next time, this is the "Wolffe," prowling around the North Carolina woods, looking for fun and new friends of all types.  Ya'll take care, be good, God bless, I'm gone, bye-bye, NUFF SAID!   :)