Dec 17, 2017
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Contestant Bear Hugs
The Voice Season 13: Finale
The top four took to the stage one last time for your votes. Each artist sang three times: a cover, an original song, and a duet with their coach. Addison, Chloe, Brooke, and Red gave their all and made this an even closer competition than originally thought. Here’s how I thought they did:
TEAM ADAM’S ADDISON AGEN:
COVER- “HUMBLE AND KIND”
It was interesting seeing Addison do a country song, but I felt this was a good fit for her storytelling ability. She sounded beautiful as always, but faltered at the end due to her emotions getting the best of her. She was really in the moment, especially with dedicating the song to her grandfather.
ORIGINAL- “TENNESSEE RAIN”
I thought this original song was beautifully melodic and captivating. It was a good fit for her voice. She emoted well. This is definitely a song that I’d listen to.
DUET- “FALLING SLOWLY”
I love this song and am so happy that Addison and Adam sang it. They sounded great together, especially with the harmonies at the beginning.
TEAM BLAKE’S CHLOE KOHANSKI:
COVER- “BETTE DAVIS EYES”
I thought this was a great song choice for Chloe’s voice and overall sound. I really liked the production on this and felt that Chloe sounded amazing.
ORIGINAL- “WISH I DIDN’T LOVE YOU”
This song sounds liike something you’d find on Gaga’s Joanne. Though not her best vocal performance, it was still captivating and haunting both vocally and melodically. It is definitely something I would listen to.
DUET- “YOU GOT IT”
This song was perfect for the both of them. They blended well together even though musically they are vastly different.
TEAM BLAKE’S RED MARLOW:
COVER- “MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE”
I had never heard this version before, but I felt it worked well for Red. It was a solid and vulnerable performance.
ORIGINAL- “I PRAY”
I appreciate that he wrote his own song. It was a very spiritual country song right up Red’s ally. It’s not my cup of tea, but I can totally see a lot of people loving this.
DUET- “I’M GONNA MISS HER”
Blake and Red sounded great together. I thought this was a fun choice for the both of them.
TEAM MILEY’S BROOKE SIMPSON:
COVER- “O HOLY NIGHT”
I felt like this was cheating a little bit doing a Christmas song the week before Christmas, but I don’t blame them for making a choice that will likely chart big. Plus, how could I be mad when Brooke absolutely slayed (or should I say sleighed) it.
ORIGINAL- “WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL”
This song was PERFECT for Brooke. It was truly made for her. She delivered a vocal performance that was both captivating and emotional. She sang with conviction. This is definitely a song that I would sing along to.
DUET- “WRECKING BALL”
I found it hilarious that Miley and Brooke sang this song considering how Miley feels about it. It wasn’t my favorite duet, but they did crush the chorus and seemed to have fun on stage.
Now for predictions! Before last night, I would have told you that without a doubt the order would have been Chloe in first, Addison second, Brooke third, and Red fourth. BUT with Chloe not being as strong as usual, Addison charting so well, and both Brooke and Red bringing their A game, I’m not so sure. At the close of voting, Addison’s original was #1 on the iTunes top 100 chart with her cover and duet also in the top 10. Chloe had two song in the top 10 (her original and cover) with her original being the highest at #2. Brooke’s original and cover were also in the top 10 with her cover being the highest at #4. Red’s original song was the only one of his performances to be in the top 10 at #3. Considering these chart numbers, it is highly possible that Addison (my choice since day one) may pull off the victory. However, Chloe’s Voice catalog still remaining in various spots in the top 100 on iTunes may prove that her fanbase is still strong enough to help her win it all. I still feel that though they did incredible last night and gave a great run this season, both Brooke and Red will finish in third and fourth place.
BUT, that’s just this Voice superfan’s opinion. What’s yours?
Find out why Red Marlow’s “country runs” have Blake Shelton on the edge of his seat.
The Voice Season 13 Finale: Final Thoughts
What a season! It seems that each season steps it up a bit talent wise from the last. I definitely had a few favorites like Davon Fleming and Keisha Renee who did not make it to the finale, but Addison, Brooke, and Chloe were all top picks for me since I first heard them sing in their blind auditions.
I will be honest, I did not expect Chloe Kohanski to have quite the trajectory that she did. It has absolutely nothing to do with her talent and everything to do with the fact that 9 times out of 10, the unique artists that I love and gravitate toward don’t usually go over well with the audience despite their talent. BUT, with her record setting Knockout performance and the fact that her songs practically lived in the iTunes Top 100 chart the entire season (much like Alisan Porter’s did in season 10), there was no question that Chloe Kohanski was going to make it all the way to the very end.
Chloe, though a Team Miley original, really found her place on Team Blake. Blake Shelton is a great coach in the sense that he lets his artists truly be who they are musically. He lets them take the wheel, but is always there to help guide them in the right direction. Blake’s seasoned coaching along with Chloe’s sultry rasp, vocal control, and commanding stage presence allowed for Chloe to thrive this season with every 80′s rock driven performance. As Blake says, Chloe is “a superstar” and more than deserved to become the winner of The Voice Season 13.
Second place went to Addison Agen who truly has talent beyond her years. She showcases so much poise and control on stage. Addison has the same storytelling/emoting quality that Adele possesses which allows her to really move you with each performance.
Brooke Simpson took third place. Brooke arguably had the best vocal this season. She always sings with conviction and has a strong stage presence. She is a powerhouse, for sure!
Red Marlow came in fourth place. Red has a heart of gold and a pure country spirit. He is a storyteller when he sings. Though I am not a huge country music fan, I do appreciate that he brought the classic country style to the Voice stage.
Overall, this was a pretty amazing season. I can’t wait to see how next season unfolds with the addition of the incredibly talented Kelly Clarkson.
The Voice Season 13: Top 11
This week was all about the fans as they got to pick the songs each artist sang during last night’s live show. Did the fans choose wisely? Did the top 11 crush it on stage? Let’s break it down below:
TEAM ADAM:
ADAM CUNNINGHAM- “AMERICAN GIRL”
This song, as compared to last week, was more in Adam’s wheelhouse. He brought infectious energy to the stage and you could tell he was having fun. I think he still has more to give, but this was a pretty solid performance.
ADDISON AGEN- “A CASE OF YOU”
Addison never fails to kill it on stage. This was such a beautiful performance with her emoting and great use of her head voice.
TEAM BLAKE:
RED MARLOW- “THE DANCE”
I thought this was a good choice for Red. It allowed us to see a softer side to the country singer. He did well with this one, but there weren’t really any stand out moments.
KEISHA RENEE- “IT MATTERS TO ME”
This was amazing! Keisha did a great job emoting and provided a beautiful vocal performance throughout. She really made this Faith Hill song her own.
CHLOE KOHANSKI- “TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART”
Fans have been begging for Chloe to do this song since the beginning of the season and man, did Chloe deliver! She sounded incredible as always displaying the vulnerability this song requires.
TEAM JHUD:
SHI’ANN JONES- “LISTEN”
I thought this was going to be a great song choice, but I unfortunately was wrong. I don’t know if it was nerves or if the song was just too big for her, but Shi’ann was pitchy at parts and the runs weren’t as smooth as they usually are. It was still a decent performance though.
DAVON FLEMING- “I HAVE NOTHING”
Davon had big shoes to fill with this one, but he has done Whitney Houston songs before, so I wasn’t too worried. Davon displayed excellent vocal prowess as he navigated the song effortlessly from falsetto to the power notes.
NOAH MAC- “ELECTRIC LOVE”
I enjoyed the arrangement with the string quartet. The really low notes weren’t as strong as they needed to be, but Noah did crush the choruses. Overall, it was a solid performance.
TEAM MILEY:
JANICE FREEMAN- “SHINE”
I wasn’t really a fan of this performance as it lacked the fierceness that Janice normally brings to the stage. I did enjoy the chill rock vibe and Janice did sound good vocally. I just was left wanting more.
BROOKE SIMPSON- “WHAT ABOUT US”
I loved the arrangement on this. Brooke delivered with a nice, rich tone. As always, a great performance!
ASHLAND CRAFT- “CHICKEN FRIED”
Last week, Miley couldn’t pick between two songs, but ultimately went with “Delta Dawn”. This week we got to hear what the other choice would’ve sounded like. Ashland had a good vocal performance adding her usual grit. You could tell she had fun on.stage. In my opinion, this was the most memorable performance of the country artists.
The night started out slow, in my opinion. The first four artists (Janice, Red, Shi’ann, and Adam) gave decent, yet potentially forgettable performances. The latter half was much better with notable performances from Addison, Keisha, and Chloe. As I am writing this, Chloe Kohanski and Addison Agen sit deservedly at the top of the iTunes Top 100 Chart at #1 and #2 respectively. Red sits just outside the top 10 at #11. Shi’ann Jones is the only artist to not make it onto the Top 100. This makes the second week in a row where she failed to chart. Last week she was safe, but I’m afraid she won’t be as lucky this time. I believe Adam Cunningham will join her in the bottom two since he was in the bottom last week and did not chart high this week. Surviving the Instant Save multiple weeks in a row, though not impossible, is no easy feat. Depending on how well Shi’ann performs under the Instant Save pressure, I think she will make it to the next round.
BUT, that’s just this Voice Superfan’s opinion. What’s Yours?
Red Marlow is pure country and everyone can see it.
Get down and boogie with Red Marlow’s spin on this country classic.
Bring it in!