The Voice 26 Recap: Battles 3 Live Blog Results with Videos

The Voice season 26 Battles continues tonight alongside new coaches Michael Buble and Snoop Dogg and returning vets Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani. Carson Daly returns as host.  We’ll be live blogging all the epic Battle performances and RESULTS right here.

The Top 56 artists are divided into four teams of 14. The coaches pair up their team members and pick a song for a duet. After the performance, the coach declares the winner who will move on to the Knockout round. The loser can be stolen by a fellow coach. Each coach gets two steals. If no steal, the artist leaves the competition

Deon Jones vs Danny Joseph – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World by James Brown – Team Reba

Snoop used his block button against Michael Buble for Danny Joseph who turned four chairs. Deon was a one chair turn. Reba teamed up a rock singer (Danny) with a soul singer (Deon). Danny mentions that it’s the first time he’s performed without a guitar. Deon and Danny have a few ideas to make their performance even better.

Deon has a smoother voice than Danny, who makes a ton of “ugly faces” when he sings. Both bring something good to the table, but Danny’s raw power stands out. Nevertheless, by the end of the performance, both singers have completely lost it in the best way.

Gwen calls both singers “characters.” She loves Deon’s “vintage” tone. “Together it just worked so well.” She’d go with the intense Danny. Mike loved watching Deon. Snoop compliments the way both singers sang with conviction. And once again, Snoop jokes about not choosing a winner. Reba felt both did a “magnificent” job. Reba picks Danny, Gwen steals Deon

Brad Sample vs Jake Tankersley – Stuck on You by Lionel Richie – Team Snoop

Both singers–the two country artists on Snoop’s team–admit that they never heard the Lionel Richie classic Snoop chose for them to sing. And both are shocked to learn that Richie wrote “Lady” for Kenny Rogers. “You’re blowing my mind right now,” Heh. Jake was a 4-chair turn, while Brad was a two chair turn. Both singers are married with kids. Snoop encourages both artists not to hold back.

Both singers strum acoustic guitars as they perform a twangy version of the song. The two sing in different registers, which are surprisingly compatible when they sing in harmony. Jake’s deep baritone has it’s moment, but Brad’s beautiful tenor stands out. Also, he’s the more consistent singer of the two.

Reba loves how their voices sound together. Michael compliments the song choice and would lean toward Jake if he had to choose. Gwen reminds Jake that she blocked Reba! Snoop picks Jake, Brad is eliminated. Aw. I would have chosen Brad.

Cozy Len vs Felsmere – Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts – Team Gwen

Felsmere is a first. She returned to The Voice after competing on The Voice season 1. She left the competition at the Battle Rounds last time. She’s hoping to go farther this time. Both singers know this classic hit from the 70’s! Yay. Cozy shares about finding love in his late 30s. Gwen and Reba turned for him. Gwen pushes Felsmere to find her identity. Cozy is feeling like cannon fodder here.

I’m not loving this arrangement. Their voices don’t mesh well together. It’s like neither is accustomed to singing duets. They both sound shouty on the verse. Really, it’s a weird song choice–it doesn’t suit either artist.

Michael calls them “perfect in their own lane.” He compliments Cozy’s range. He’d lean to Cozy, but he also appreciates Felsmere’s pop star sound. Snoop actually picks an artist for once! He’d pick Felsmere. Reb compliments Cozy’s range and Felsmere’s tone. Gwen complements Felsmere’s composure and appreciates that Cozy let loose. Gwen picks Felsmere, Cozy is eliminated.

Jamison Puckett vs Shye – Love Yourself by Justin Bieber – Team Buble

Jamison and his wife are expecting their first child. Shye is a powerhouse singer who turned 4-chairs. He coaches the singers in how to stay in the pocket and also connect to each other. Shye notes that although she turned more charis than Jamison, he has more experience. Shye is only 17.

Shye has an impressive preternatural talent. Her delivery is effortless and confident. That tone is to die for. Too bad she’s up against Jamison, who is also pretty great! But only one can advance. Shye has the potential to compete in the finale.

Snoop feels the song brought out the best in both singers. Reba compliments their camaraderie. Gwen calls the performance “smooth and warm.” Gwen can’t believe how talented young Shye is. She calls it her favorite battle Michael picks Shye, Jamison is eliminated.

Lauren-Michael Sellers vs Creigh Riepe – You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen – Team Reba

Creigh got Reba and Gwen to turn. But his young daughter wanted Team Reba. He grew up on a cattle farm. His dad encouraged him to pursue music. Sadly, he died from lung cancer. Lauren turned 4 chairs. Lauren struggled growing up after her mother lost custody. Musical theater saved her. Reba helps the pair with phrasing, but after rehearsal, she’s moved to tears.

A Broadway song is the perfect pick for these two expressive big-voiced singers. Both are holding their own on stage–impressive vocals and stage presence from both singers.

Gwen calls it a “crazy” battle. She calls Creigh’s tone “insane.” She’d choose him. Michael calls both voices “sweet” he compliments their pitch. He can’t choose. Snoop actually picks a singer–Lauren. He felt she sang with the most control. Reba picks Lauren-Michael, Creigh is eliminated. She compared him to a Beach Boy, like he’s a party boy. Hm. Michael confesses that if Reba had chosen Creigh he would have stolen Lauren-Michael.

Austyns Stancil vs Jose Luis – Lay Me Down by Sam Smith – Team Gwen

NBC previewed this battle last week. Watch it HERE. Both singers were 4-chair turns. Austyns is a soul singer where Luis leans toward pop. Austyns is the father to four girls. Oh. football player Ray Lewis is his cousin! Like Gwen, Jose loves fashion. Gwen suggests they bring more attitude to the song, and to dial back the theatricality. She suggests they film themselves and watch it back.

Austyns starts of confidently, while Jose stands nervously in the shadow. Austyns obviously has more confidence and self assurance. His falsetto is incredible. He knows how to use it without seeming to show off. As the performance progresses, Luis finds his footing. While Austyns can hit those incredible notes, Luis’ unique powerful tone cuts through.

Reba calls “everything so polished and perfect.” She won’t pick a winner. It didn’t feel like a battle to Snoop, and he feels the singers were generous with each other. He vows to steal the loser. And so does Michael. She thanks Austyns for taking her notes and calls Jose’s voice powerful and expressive. “You both could win The Voice,” she says. Gwen picks Jose. Reba, Snoop and Michael all steal Austyns. Austyns picks…

Oh noes. We won’t find out until tomorrow! CLIFFHANGER!