Spoiler Alert! Recap and Review: Knockout Round Night Three 11/3; Full Results, Reviews, & Pictures!
By: Matt Tamanini Nov. 03, 2014
We are halfway through the Taylor Swift experiment on THE VOICE, and the new queen of New York has honestly been killing it. From vocal arrangement to on-stage swagger, T-Swizzle has demonstrated the insight and attention to detail that it takes to make it as a pro in that business.
Tonight, we will get six more Knockout Rounds (or 12 singers), and Blake Shelton is the only coach left with a Steal. So, I would imagine that any knocked out singer that has even the slightest twang in his or her voice might just be on Blake's radar.
On Tuesday night, there will be three more Knockouts, and next week starts the Live Playoffs (even though America still won't get to vote).
I will be live recapping the show all night, so feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below, or tell me how wrong I am on Twitter @BWWMatt. After the show is over, I will add full reviews of each performance.
Below, check out a preview of the battle between Anita Antoinette and Craig Wayne Boyd, as they perform "Rude" and "Can't You See" respectively.
Team Blake
Allison Bray
Song: "Sin Wagon" by The Dixie Chicks
Three-Word Review: Fun, Powerful Performance
Allison's performance was like a really fun rollercoaster, but one of those old wooden ones where you aren't sure is going to actually make it through each turn.
I'm sorry to all of our Southern readers, but I love the Dixie Chicks; so I enjoyed this one because of Allison's commitment to the feel of the original version. She had the funk, the fun, and the sin it takes to really sell it. Also, and her breath-support leading up to that final belting onslaught was intense, but ultimately, there wasn't a whole bunch of chances for her to show her vocal abilities.
Taylor Brashears
Song: "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac (and The Dixie Chicks)
Three-Word Review: Why Do That?
This performance was really interesting, because Taylor sang the first half of the song in the traditional, Stevie Nicks way, but at the end she shook up the arrangement, and that's where she lost me. The whole vibe of this song is the restrained desperation of the melody and lyrics. There are certain songs that lend themselves to showy vocals, but this is not one of them. When Taylor decided to spice it up a bit, she turned the focus squarely on her vocal gymnastics, rather than on the hauntingly beautiful melody, where it belonged.
Should Win: Taylor Brashears
Did Win: Taylor Brashears
Steal: Can't Steal His Own Singer
Despite the fact that I didn't appreciate Taylor's approach to the song, she clearly had the better voice of the two, so I guess this was the right decision.
Team Gwen
Ryan Sill
Song: "Miss Independent" by Ne-Yo
Three-Word Review: Singing Stepford Son
Hey Broadway producers, I have an idea. A musical sequel to THE STEPFORD WIVES. One of the Stepford Sons joins a boy band, and it will star Ryan Sill.
Did he sound good enough to get people to vote for him? Yes. Does he look good enough to get people to vote for him? Yes. Does he have even the slightest shred of stage presence? Not in the least. If my musical pitch doesn't work, perhaps Ryan could fill in down here at Disney if one of the animatronic characters breaks down.
Beth Spangler
Song: "Too Little Too Late" by JoJo
Three-Word Review: Taylor's First Mistake
I think all of the critiques of Beth being a little too vocally abrasive were dead on. Her tone just kind of rubbed me the wrong way, and while there was sure a lot of power, at times, it approached nails on a chalkboard levels. She looked gorgeous, and would greatly benefit from some training, but she wasn't ready, despite the fact that she was paired up against the most boring competitor on the show.
Should Win: Ryan Sill
Did Win: Ryan Sill
Steal: Nope
Team Pharrell
Menlik Zergabachew
Song: "Could You Be Loved" by Bob Marley & the Wailers
Three-Word Review: Great, but Niche
There is something about Menlik's voice that makes me want to listen to him for hours. There is something so confident and cool about him singing reggae, but when was the last time you heard an authentically reggae song on the radio? That is his passion, and he has said that is where he wants his music career to go. So, despite the fact that he has an incredible voice, I just don't see his long-term potential in the competition. But Menlik, send me an email when you release a CD. I will buy one!
Jean Kelley
Song: "Chandelier" by Sia
Three-Word Review: Vocally, Emotionally Powerful
Jean does not have the range and tone of Sia, who I think is one of the most incredible (and weirdest) vocalists that we have right now. However, what she does have is an incredible command of all aspects of herself. This performance showed that she can tap into a well of emotion and musical creativity. While she mostly stuck to a version of the song that we all know, she made subtle changes that made my ears perk up; for example, when she played with the extremely familiar "1, 2, 3" melody in different ways each time. I don't think that she has the vocals to win the competition, but she is incredibly interesting to watch perform.
Should Win: Jean Kelley
Did Win: Jean Kelley
Steal: Nyet
Team Adam
Chris Jamison
Song: "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
Three-Word Review: Unassuming, Super Talent
I am officially rooting for Chris, and not just because he goes to college just down the street from where I went to high school, but because he is the kind of guy that is insanely talented, but doesn't know it. That falsetto is one heck of a weapon. We have heard a lot of guys try to flip up like that this season, and none have done it well, other than Chris. What's interesting about him is that he is still very early on in his musical career. He seems to approach this opportunity like an athlete; train, work, improve. Go Chris! Go Crusaders!
Blessing Offor
Song: "Your Body Is a Wonderland" by John Mayer
Three-Word Review: Didn't Hate It
Surprisingly, I didn't hate Blessing's complete reinvention of this song as much as I thought I would. As corny as it sounds, this is one of my favorite songs (I blame that on a life-long crush on Jennifer Love Hewitt), so I was prepared to be turned off by the rearrangement. The choices were shocking, but they felt organic and true to Blessing as an artist. That being said, I have always thought that his musicianship was stronger than his vocal ability.
Should Win: Chris Jamison
Did Win: Chris Jamison
Steal: Nada
Team Adam
Matt McAndrew
Song: "Drops of Jupiter" by Train
Three-Word Review: Got No Idea
Rebekah Samarin
Song: "You Give Me Something" by James Morrison
Three-Word Review: Didn't See It
Did Win: Matt McAndrew
Team Blake
Reagan James
Song: "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" by Blu Cantrell
Three-Word Review: Oops is Right!
I really liked Reagan in the Blinds and Battle Rounds; I really like this song (I actually owned this CD a decade and a half ago), but this was not my favorite performance. The song did not seem to favor her unique voical style, and there just really weren't that many opportunities to show off. The runs she added didn't seem to hit, and I just felt like this song choice was a missed opportunity from a performer that I had high hopes for.
Grant Ganzer
Song: "Apologize" by One Republic
Three-Word Review: Whoa, that's strong!
One of the things that Taylor Swift told Grant to do is to really connect to the lyrics and message of the song, but I think that he took that a bit too far. It looked like he had been backstage crying before the Knockouts; he had really conspicuous bags under his bloodshot eyes. While his commitment to the story of the song might have impacted his nerves, I thought that he should a tremendous amount of potential. He showed great range, and the ability to be subtle as well as belt. While he's not moving on, I think that he is very talented, and could be the first big str to come out of Iowa since Professor Harold Hill.
Should Win: Grant Ganzer
Did Win: Reagan James
Steal: Can't Steal You're Own
Team Gwen
Anita Antoinette
Song: "Rude" by Magic!
Three-Word Review: Get it Girl!
I know I said I was rooting for Chris Jamison earlier, but I think I am rooting for Anita now. That was such a cool performance. She showed so much swag and character, it didn't matter that there was very little actual singing in the song. In between the powerful, confident moments of the song, she found moments to show some softness and sexuality. Girl was cool.
Craig Wayne Boyd
Song: "Can't You See" by The Marshall Tucker Band
Three-Word Review: Authentic American Bad*$$
Despite the fact that Gwen convinced him to cut his hair and lose the jacket with the fringe on the arms, there is absolutely nothing fake or phony about him. He is completely confident and authentic in who he is; if Lynard Skynard or .38 Special (have they combined yet?) needs a new lead singer, he would be perfect. His voice was rough, it was ragged, and it was powerful. If he and Kid Rock did an album, I would buy it. I know I just said that I was rooting for Anita, but I think she actually got beat here.
If I had to describe Craig's makeover, I would say that he went from looking like a 80's WWF wrestler to looking like a 2014 WWE wrestler.
Check out their performances before you find out what happened:
Should Win: Craig Wayne Boyd
Did Win: Anita Antoinette
Steal: Blake Shelton
New Team: Team Blake
Photo Credit: Trae Patton
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