The Voice Semi Finals: Nakia & Vicci Martinez Shine Again
I love the fact that things are moving quickly on The Voice. That is to say the competition as a whole is whittling down contestants fast. The show itself seems to drag on with the coaches even running out of things to say most of the time. Carson Daly is no help at stalling, but then he can barely get out the phone numbers to vote correctly.
Tonight we saw two leave from Team CeeLo and Team Adam after last week’s performances. Then there were ten performances to watch, including the coaches. Maroon 5 premiered “Moves Like Jagger” with Christina Aguilera (for some reason). Later Blake Shelton sang “Honey Bee” just for fun.
First were the good-byes on Team CeeLo. America saved Vicci Martinez and Coach CeeLo saved Nakia. Those were both strong picks for his team semi final. America voted for Javier Colon on Team Adam and Levine used his Coach’s save on Casey Weston. I saw that one coming. He likes her youth I think.
Frenchie Davis started things off with her assigned song (by Coach Christina Aguilera), “Like A Prayer” by Madonna. It was the wrong song choice and Frenchie knew it. She told Aguilera she was a little uncomfortable with it, to no avail. Frenchie looked nervous throughout the song. She sang it like a pro, but not like a star. Blake Shelton told her that performance was a “giant middle finger” to those who thought Christina made the wrong decision last week in choosing her to stay. You gotta love Blake Shelton.
Nakia took over the stage with his version of Adam Lambert’s song “Whataya Want From Me.” I was completely impressed with Nakia again this week. He took over the whole stage and it really felt like a concert.
Dia Frampton had another weird song choice tonight, “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. It was good, and it was different. It was not as strong as last week’s performance, but I did sort of enjoy it. Dia is going to be hit or miss on most songs I think, That’s what happens when you do weird things with music.
Casey Weston was assigned “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton. I wish she would have locked herself in a room and listened to the Dolly Parton version over and over until she really heard it. Adam Levine told her to stay away from the Whitney Huston version, but it kept sneaking in there. By the end of the song it felt like she was doing all she could to not sound like Whitney. Note: Check out this video or better yet, watch the movie “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and listen to Dolly sing that song.
Beverly McClellan came with her full voice back this week. Boy, does that make a difference! I was much happier with Bev’s performance this week on The Voice. Singing “The Thrill Is Gone” by BB King, was the perfect song choice. Well done. She’s not my favorite, but I think she’s good.
Javier Colon sang “Fix You” by Cold Play. It was not even close to my favorite performance. It was not bad, but it was forgettable for some reason. In the rock part of the song I could hardly hear Javier. I did like the end of the song though. It may have been a sound issue in the middle.
Xenia took the stage, still looking scared to death, and still not dressed comfortably, to sing “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” by The Script. I bet it will sound amazing on iTunes, but it was boring on stage again. I feel bad for Xenia, since she looks so uncomfortable. At least let her dress comfortably and maybe she will lighten up a little.
Vicci Martinez closed the show with an entertaining performance of “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine. Beating two large drums and huge drum sticks throughout the song, Vicci ran around, then brought it home big, back on the drums. It started a little shaky, but she took off so well I really enjoyed it by the end.
It’s between Nakia and Vicci Martinez for me tonight. Who was your favorite tonight on The Voice (or was it too tough to choose for you too!)? I’ll get the videos up as soon as they are available! Let me know who you voted for tonight on The Voice!
Like a Prayer sounded awful, I thought she had the voice to bring it but for some reason she sounded shaky throughout.
Nakia sounds good copying others and mimicking but I’d love to hear HIS sound not how he sounds singing others songs.
Dia really takes a song and puts a spin on it, sometimes that spin works, other times it doesn’t. She was singing words last night but did she really understand their meaning? It didn’t seem so, that being said she finished a lot stronger than she started in my opinion.
Casey, I really blame Adam for this one. I could have gone the rest of my life without ever hearing this damn song again and yes she should have listen to the Dolly Parton version over and over and over again. I found it amusing that the words were flashing karaoke style in the background behind her because it felt like a karaoke performance…a very good karaoke performance but Adam…wrong song and if you wanted her to sing it you should have beaten the Whitney out of her! But I still love Adam <3 and Maroon5
Beverly had me until she threw in her trademark howl. Really ruined the song and cheapened the performance to cheap rock club.
Javier has a lot of talent and people keep raving about his talent but I think he has yet to really bring it. I think he has HUGE potential to be super star but its like he knows it and just isn’t giving it his all.
I really do love Xenia’s voice but as a stage performer I just want to be her Mom standing off stage doing the SMILE SMILE signal, she looks petrified. That being said, she’s the one artist up there who I could see myself enjoying the whole CD and just enjoying her voice the whole way through.
Vicci started shaky but brought it in the end, I like her but don’t love her.
As a side note: at first Blake rubbed me the wrong way, I had no idea who he was but watching him watch over those two young girls like a father, its touching. I was shocked to hear Adam say he'd never heard two of the songs tonight by two of the performers, one was Xenia and I can't recall the other, maybe Nakia? Dude you need to get out more!
Hi Diana, totally agree with your assessment. I feel like I’m seeing a younger Nora Jones blossoming from Xenia. She has that voice that forces you to listen to songs you would never think you’d like. Maybe also a little like Alanis Morissette. I don’t know what it is, but it’s different and I like it. I’m sure she’s not ready for prime time yet, but she’s getting a huge jump start from The Voice!
Thanks for the comment!
Meucci
I hope Xenia blossoms, she’s so young, there is still plenty of time and now her name is known so things are probably looking up for her. I was sort of surprised to find that Dia has released several albums as half of a duo with her sister, she seemed so shy on stage, with that much experience…but who am I to say? I’ve never been a singer, not an ounce of vocal ability, just a love of good music.
I think the other thing that struck me with Casey is that she isn’t anywhere near the same level as Javier and maybe Adam tanked her with that song consciously or unconsciously knowing that Javier is going to BRING it big time tonight and in the finals. Starts soon here, can’t wait to watch!