The Voice 2014 - Recap - The Live Shows Premiere - 04/21/2014

Welcome to the live blog and recap of "The Live Shows Premiere" on The Voice 2014 Season 6! The Top 12 hit the stage for the first time! Which contestants will bring the goods?

Add your thoughts in the comments below, and keep refreshing for analysis, thoughts, and videos of the night's big matchups! Videos will be added later. If you can't see them due to being outside the US, Rickey will be posting individual videos later that anyone can see, so check out the individual posts later if you can't see the videos in this post. Let's get this show on the road!

-So I'm not really sure who I'm most stoked to see. I guess if I had to think it out, I'd say Sisaundra, Bria, Christina, and Josh are the ones I'm most interested in seeing tonight, although I'm almost positive there's someone I'm forgetting. This really hasn't been the show's most memorable lineup, although I would argue it's still a pretty good crop of finalists, and all the more so because there's no obvious winner right now. Top 12 shows are generally pretty exciting in that they set the tone and pace for the season ahead. There's a real chance a frontrunner could emerge here, while it's every bit as likely that a frontrunner will fall. So yeah...am I ready for this?

You bet your sweet business I am.

RECAP

-We kick off with a video package in which the contestants talk about how much more they'll have to bring for the lives, while the coaches gloat about their contestants and what an amazing crop of talent the show has. Not that they're necessarily wrong, but Usher's assertion that any one of these contestants could be on the radio today seems a bit premature. Unless it's suddenly 1993 again, or there's some kind of Meredith Brooks/Alannah Myles-esque resurgence in the mainstream, I can't imagine hearing Kristen Merlin there.

-We get right into things...

BRIA KELLY is up first!

-Usher is excited to see her with a guitar in her hands again, and Bria talks about wanting to pick a song that will show off the soulful edge to her voice. Of course, she sends this all to hell by going with "Rolling In the Deep", which is just one of those songs I never need to hear on a singing competition again, even though Bria sounds fairly good on it from what little we hear. In particular, Usher is super impressed by a note she holds at the end for what seems like a small lifetime. He insists she could be on the radio right now, which I'm guessing is going to be something he just says now.

-Bria sounds okay, for the most part. Her lower register is where the good stuff is, but that all goes flying out the window as the song rolls on, as she just gets incredibly screechy and shouty to the point of bordering on hoarse. It was a performance and a vocal with a lot of character to it -- but being distinctive isn't the same as being good. I just didn't enjoy this. And that's disappointing, because Bria is a favorite of mine.

-Shakira says that if anyone could take on the challenge of an Adele song, it'd be Bria, who can get fierce. Adam tries to find a diplomatic way to say he was disappointed, arguing that he wished it had been in a different key. However, he applauds her for making it different and unique. Blake tries to rationalize why Bria might have wanted to tackle the song in a different key, arguing that she needed to start out in a lower key if she was going to hit the big notes of the chorus. Usher says he felt Bria "killed it," saying he heard "fire" in her voice. Honestly, if anything, there was too much fire. I kind of want to give Bria a lozenge.

Non-US residents, watch here: Bria Kelly, "Rolling in the Deep"

DELVIN CHOICE is up next!

-Adam admits he's giving Delvin an ambitious song, a track that's a challenge because everyone knows it: "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers. However, he says Delvin has a big, strong vibratto behind him, making him a really powerful male vocalist. During the studio rehearsal, Adam shows how he thinks Delvin should approach the song, hitting a really impressive note in his own right. He tells Delvin he needs to sing this song like he's dying. For his part, Delvin notes that his parents will be celebrating their 25th anniversary, so he'll be singing this to them.

-I wasn't entirely sold on this when it started. In fact, for most of it, I just wasn't onboard. Not because of Delvin, but because of the weirdness of how the track was arranged, mixing and matching verses instead of just letting him sing it straight through (although I understand time constraints and all). But as he neared the conclusion and it built to a crescendo (with the powerful falsetto note), I was completely roped in. A great performance from Delvin.

-Some silliness with Blake that eventually ends with him telling Delvin he did a great job. Usher calls him a vocal threat and argues he may have just gotten himself a girlfriend with that song. He adds it was a more joyful take on the song, and while it doesn't know if that's a good or a bad thing, he enjoyed it. Shakira thought Delvin did not disappoint, and praises his command of falsetto and runs, in addition to the silkiness of his voice. Lastly, Adam says he got goosebumps and was proud with how Delvin performed the song. Can't disagree there.

Non-US residents, watch here: Delvin Choice, "Unchained Melody"

DANI MOZ is up next!

-Shakira talks about how she and Dani need to keep the momentum going from last week's performance. And so she's given Dani "Just Give Me A Reason" by Pink and Nate Ruess, since she feels it could give Dani a real moment. However, Shakira warns against Dani's overly theatrical vocal stylings, arguing for a bit more subtlety. Dani admits her theater background causes her to indulge in some bad habits, but she really connects with pop music as well. I should note that during the rehearsal, Dani sounds pretty amazing. Well, mostly just for the big note they let us hear.

-And the big note is nearly as good in the live performance. But ultimately, this was...actually kind of disappointing. She kept falling out of pitch, which didn't happen last week, and hasn't really happened before, period. And I don't think it could be the ear monitors, since she's used them before. Yet there was just a lot of shakiness in her voice in addition to the pitch problems, and it felt towards the end that she was using power to compensate. She has a powerful voice, but it all just felt like too much.

-Adam likes Dani and loves her voice, but ends up getting into a quarrel with Shakira over his belief that Dani should have relied less on power. He just wanted a more dynamic vocal. Blake, however, says that her big note in the song (which he tries to mimic, drawing humorous comparisons to a fire engine) changed the game. For some reason, we skip Usher and go straight to Shakira, who is all sunshine and happiness about her contestant. I really wish this had been something more than it was, but this in no way compared to last week's performance. Still, I don't think Dani will be at risk for elimination, even having gone this early. I mean, even if by some fluke she winds up in the bottom 3, I believe the Instant Save will keep her around, provided she's in the bottom with two singers of lesser vocal ability (which isn't always a guarantee, admittedly).

Non-US residents, watch here: Dani Moz, "Just Give Me A Reason"

AUDRA MCLAUGHLIN is up next!

-Blake argues that there may not be a more distinctive country voice in the history of this show, which -- I mean, poor Danielle Bradbery. That said, there are some cute moments in this video package, such as Audra geeking out over hearing from Martina McBride. She's also a total doll in her rehearsals with Blake, as she performs "Angel of the Morning" by Merrilee Rush/Juice Newton. She basically comes across like a nervous niece performing for her goofy uncle for the first time. I can't really explain it in words, but it's a cute coach/contestant dynamic. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention that Audra sounds quite lovely here with the sparseness of the rehearsal arrangement.

-However, that minimalist arrangement doesn't carry over into the live performance, as Audra gets full band backing. Luckily, Audra delivers the best vocal of the night so far. She has a few sharp notes, but I can't front on her tone. Nor can I find fault with her control, as she's fairly remarkable in how she uses her voice almost like a weapon, directing it exactly the ways she wants it to go. And it was a perfect song choice for her, honestly. Really loved this.

-Usher is impressed that Audra could hold out notes for that long, arguing he'd have to pee if he held out a note for that long. This leads to a weird hodge-podge of silliness among the coaches, who all talk over one another as this devolves into a 1930s screwball comedy. Usher is impressed with Audra's ability, and the character and tone of her voice, while Adam more or less echoes the sentiments, telling Audra he loves her and wishes she were on his team. Blake takes umbrage, like a protective father, and it's a pretty cute moment amid all the praise. Shakira and Blake add their plaudits to the chorus, and Audra looks like she's walking on air. So adorable.

Non-US residents, watch here: Audra McLaughlin, "Angel of the Morning"

TJ WILKINS is up next!

-Usher notes that TJ is pulling a gutsy move with John Mayer's "Waiting On the World to Change," since he's more of a classic R&B vocalist. This is one of his first attempts at something more modern. However, TJ is confident, saying he sees himself as a mix of R&B with a little rock (um...what?), pop, jazz, "you name it." He says he needs to just go out there and kill it, and I find myself wondering if he might not have been better served just staying in his wheelhouse. He could really bring it with a classic soul track, and I don't think he's done it often enough for people to start complaining that he's not taking risks yet. I dunno, this just seems like an unnecessary risk.

-Well, that shut me up. Well, mostly. I was pretty impressed with the light reggae arrangement, and I actually wish he'd have gone full-on Bob Marley with it, as this was one of TJ's best vocals so far. I still don't think he's much of a threat to last beyond this week (or even next, if he somehow makes it through), but this was one of the best of the night so far. Yes, it's still early in the evening, but I feel that needs to be said, given that we had two frontrunners (of a sort) go already.

-Shakira and Adam loved it, and Blake thought it was "incredible." Usher, meanwhile, notes that the ideology of his team tonight was to do a modern record. No classics. Now, he feels America knows what his team is all about, particularly since TJ delivered such a great performance. He says that this is what being a leader is all about, and calls him an "incredible artist." I really can't take issue with TJ's vocals, as the guy has a seriously good voice. But I just don't see any star quality in him. But who knows? Maybe he'll be one of those suspiciously popular contestants whose continued success in a crowded field is inexplicable. Like Terry McDermott. (I still don't get how Terry McDermott happened)

Non-US residents, watch here: TJ Wilkins, "Waiting On the World to Change"

CHRISTINA GRIMMIE is up next!

-Christina says that everyone in the competition is so good that it makes her want to be a better artist. Adam thinks she has what it takes to be a huge pop star, and I can't say I disagree, really. I say this, yet I can't think of any YouTubers other than Justin Bieber who've really made a massive splash in the industry just yet. That said, no reason it can't be Grimmie. During rehearsal, Adam notes she needs to be careful about how she paces herself in her performance of "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry. As with everyone tonight, the rehearsal vocal sounds terrific, which makes me wonder just how many of the underwhelming performances are simply the victim of acoustics in the arena.

-There's something weird about seeing Christina in leather shorts. Just doesn't seem entirely like her, as if the process has already begun to mold her into a certain idea of what a pop star should be. With that said, she absolutely sounds the part. This is my favorite performance of hers this season. She's quite good at connecting to songs, as she really gets into it towards the end, even ending the performance on one knee. And throughout, she was able to hit the falsetto and all the power notes. Solid stuff.

-Blake repeats his praise that Christina is proof that dynamite comes in small packages. Shakira loves Christina's control, praising her falsetto. Usher adds his praise, seeming vaguely unsettled at just how well Christina did, as if viewing her as a threat to the stability of his entire team. Adam says he felt like he was watching the VMAs, and it's a comment that thrills Christina to a surprising degree. Seriously, the only time I've seen a contestant this thrilled about something a coach/judge has said was when Blake called Christina a "mini-Celine Dion." Still, I'd argue she deserves the praise. This was damn solid.

Non-US residents, watch here: Christina Grimmie, "Dark Horse"

-And we apparently keep things moving...

SISAUNDRA LEWIS is up next!

-SISAUNDRA! Blake mentions his manager is married to Kelly Clarkson, and notes that it's all quiet in their household when Sisaundra is on. She notes that she has to deliver big since everything is different now. "This is live, baby." Her song is "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" by Elton John, which doesn't immediately strike me as a good song choice for her. But then, Sisaundra can pretty much sing anything. At least, that's what I'll continue to believe until she proves me otherwise.

-Best of the night, and I'll be shocked if my opinion changes by the end of the night, although I'm 100% open to having that opinion changed, since it means a better show. Just the way she eases off of runs and instead just does a straight rendition of the song, infused with all the customary power of a Sisaundra Lewis vocal, made me really enjoy this performance. It made me enjoy "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" in a way I haven't in a really long time.

-Usher compares her to Patti Labelle, saying he kept expecting her to kick her shoes off and get comfortable. He says Patti is the only person in the world with a voice like hers. Adam is stunned by the restraint she showed, calling it the most beautiful part of her performance. He knows she likes to "sing for the fences" (which the judges all find clever, in a cute moment), but he really appreciated the seasoned, restrained quality of her voice here. Blake felt Sisaundra stood up to what the song was about, and says to her, "I hope you're taking all this in. You left the music industry for ten years. You've always been in the shadows. I hope you're enjoying all this. People love you." I'm happily one of those people.

Non-US residents watch here: Sisaundra Lewis, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me"

KRISTEN MERLIN is up next!

-Kristen feels it's kind of daunting being a country artist while looking the way she does. But she's out to prove that you can be different and succeed in country music. She'll be singing "Stay" by Sugarland, and Shakira notes that when she sings the word "cryin'", she sounds like she's trying to hide. I don't disagree, but I think that kind of helps the performance, in a way. Although Shakira might have been agreeing there, I'm not sure. She's just stoked to have the only country artist not on Team Blake. I admit I like Kristen's voice on this far more than I thought I would when I saw the song spoilers on iTunes.

-I was really impressed by this. It wasn't a showstopper or anything, but it was a perfectly fine vocal improved by a lovely little moment at the end, where her microphone dies but she keeps singing anyway. The stagehands bring out a new mic, and she finishes the song, and it was so graceful that it almost didn't seem like anything went wrong. And from the sounds of the applause she gets at the end of the performance, she just might have a bigger fanbase than people are expecting. Seriously, nobody tonight got that kind of reaction, and I don't think it was solely because of the moment with the microphone.

-Carson makes note of the flub and praises her for being as professional as any of the coaches would have been if something similar had happened to them. Adam notes he would have been a puddle on the floor if that had happened to him. He gives Kristen props not only for her grace in recovering from the tech mishap, but also from the quality of her vocal. Blake is jealous that Kristen isn't on his team, noting "I hate Shakira so much right now." Meanwhile, Shakira calls Kristen "unbelievable," and notes how beautiful she is, both inside and out. This might end up being the most memorable performance of the night before it's all said and done, actually, which I wouldn't have expected from Kristen Merlin, going in.

Non-US residents, watch here: Kristen Merlin, "Stay"

KAT PERKINS is up next!

-Adam says that Kat has had the most consistent journey so far, and that she's a force. She'll be singing "Magic Man" by Heart, which is her favorite band of all time. Adam can't imagine giving the song to anybody else, since she has a voice that's able to cut through big arrangements. During rehearsal, Adam gives her tips on the "Try to understand" portion, and it's that kind of stuff I love about this show. Just down-to-Earth coaching, like he's advising a friend on her next gig. Kat says she plans on "killing it."

-Man, this is kind of becoming a real race. Definitely one of the best of the night, just a really confident, powerful rock vocal that puts Kat near the head of the pack. Female rockers don't always have the best track record on the show, but I think Kat has real potential to go far. Or, at the very least, farther than last season's rocker Kat.

-Blake is floored that Kat is a nanny, since she delivered such an intense performance. Usher calls Kat's voice "dope," saying it's really powerful and steady. "You really have what it takes to be on radio right now," and it's the first time he's said it tonight that I actually agree. Adam says Kat goes after some of the best singers in the world, and does it with the same power and charisma and soul that all the other artists have achieved. High praise, but absolutely fitting, in this case. At least in my opinion.

Non-US residents, watch here: Kat Perkins, "Magic Man"

JAKE WORTHINGTON is up next!

-Jake says his passion is to keep country music alive. He says that while there will never be another George Strait or George Jones, he wants to be part of keeping that sound around. He'll be singing "Anymore" by Travis Tritt, and he and Blake rehearse it together. I feel it doesn't get said enough just what a lovely voice Blake has. It sounds awfully close to his speaking voice too, which I find weirdly charming, since that isn't true for every singer. Not even most, really. Not even for Jake, who has a deeper baritone. But it matches this song quite well.

-While it starts out a bit shaky, Jake quickly takes command of the performance and delivers something that just might knock Sisaundra out of my top spot. Seriously, his runs here are BEAUTIFUL and so on-point. And he has a wonderful knack for truly connecting with a performance. It could just be a Team Blake finale, if he and Sisaundra keep it up. Just such a gorgeous vocal, and unflinchingly honest in its portrayal of the song's emotion.

-Shakira says Jake has such wonderful honesty to his performances, adding that she believes every word he sings. Jake notes he got a little choked up seeing his mother in the audience, which is endearing. Blake makes a neat point about how Jake is like the cowboys of old, who keep their emotions bottled up for so long that they eventually erupt in a torrent of feeling. And that's sort of what this performance evoked. It's a salient point, and well-made. Loved this.

Non-US residents, watch here: Jake Worthington, "Anymore"

TESS BOYER is up next!

-Shakira gave Tess "I'll Be There For You" by Bon Jovi. She says it'll be a big challenge since female vocalists have such a different register from male vocalists, but Tess loves that it's a power ballad, since it allows her to draw on past relationships. Shakira tells her there are certain words in the song that are key, since Bon Jovi is so emphatic with the emotion of the song. Tess seems more than up to the challenge though.

-Tess sounds amazing, although I have no idea what the precious hell she's wearing. It's this really awkward-fitting pair of white pants that simultaneously seem too tight and too loose. But the camera doesn't really linger on her torso, since it's all about her voice. I generally liked the performance, even though her voice broke in parts. She's a solid performer, and she really seemed to connect with the song in a big way.

-Blake says she's the one to beat on Team Shakira, and feels she'll go far. Usher says there was never a question she would go this far, but notes that "we, as a collective, celebrate you." But not before throwing some shade at Adam's coaching ("That's not NICE!" Adam responds). Shakira praises Tess for digesting every note (buh?) and delivering onstage. She also applauds Tess's work ethic, noting that she's working her way through college, a drive that shines through in her performance. We're in total rush mode now, as there are just ten minutes left in the show, meaning Carson has to rush everyone along.

Non-US residents, watch here: Tess Boyer, "I'll Be There For You"

JOSH KAUFMAN closes the show!

-Usher chose "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith for Josh, since it's older but still sounds very current. He knows that the song is very intimate, but he wants Josh to take control of the space. And so he wants Josh to jog around the stage, which Josh feels is indicative of Usher's "unique coaching style." Usher feels that while Josh is an incredible vocalist, it needs to be about his presence now. In Usher's eyes, this could be a great way for Josh to formally introduce himself to America.

-Gorgeous. Truly. Just SUCH a beautiful performance, equal parts tender and powerful. It built and built, from the softness of the opening to the desperate, pleading excellence of the conclusion. It told a wonderful story, and sounded outstanding, to boot. Josh has a soul voice but colored with alt-rock stylings that make him arguably the versatile performer in the competition. I'm thoroughly convinced this man can sing anything.

-Shakira loved it, praising Josh's subtlety and restraint in the early going, and giving him props for how the song built. Adam admits he's stupid, and feels even stupider every time Josh sings, although he says he gets a minor panic attack when the crowd claps along out of time. Either way, he thinks Josh did a great job and deserves to be here. Blake feels Josh is the guy to beat on Team Usher. Usher feels Josh is so poised, prepared, and ready. "You have completely made this my night," he says. Possibly mine, as well.

Non-US residents, watch here: Josh Kaufman, "Stay With Me"

-And that's a wrap! So who'll be sticking around? Which contestants will land in the bottom 3? I'm off to write my Top 12 post-show power rankings, but I'll be adding videos to this post, so keep refreshing! Thanks for hanging out, everyone!

GOODNIGHT!