None of the eliminations on Night 3 of The Voice’s Season 26 Battles were as upsetting as Mark Shiiba’s. The bad news: One of them came close. Real close. Read on, and we’ll discuss all of Tuesday’s performances and the cut that hurt the most.
Team Reba: Danny Joseph (Grade: A) defeated Deon Jones (Grade: A+) on “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” — Deon stolen by Gwen | I’ve got one word for this Battle: [Bleeeeep]! As you’d expect him to be on James Brown’s classic, Danny was spectacular, so full of passion, he was practically exploding before our eyes. With his sweeter voice, Deon was at a disadvantage but more than rose to the challenge. Not only did he unleash a rasp that sandpapered my eardrums, he shook on stage as if he was electrified. Close one, but Deon was my winner.
Team Snoop: Jake Tankersley (Grade: B) defeated Brad Sample (Grade: C+) on “Stuck On You” | Although I’d always thought of this Lionel Richie ballad as being so cheesy, it should only be served with crackers, “Jake the Snake” and “Bad Brad’s” version was pretty nice. But from the moment Jake opened his mouth and that rich baritone rolled out, it was game over for Brad, whose lightweight voice is altogether pleasant but not super distinct or memorable. (Mind you, Gwen felt that it was unique to the nth.)
Team Gwen: Felsmere (Grade: C) defeated Cozy Len (Grade: B) on “Summer Breeze” | Oof. Wake me when it’s over. On Seals & Crofts’ oldie, Cozy Len and Felsmere were, at best, fine. Maybe they were just victims of a bad song selection by their coach. If you walked into a beach bar during off season and Cozy Len was at the mic, you’d probably stick around for a second song. Felsmere, though… her performance never came together. Michael Bublé loved the number, though, so much that he gave the duo an enthusiastic standing O.
Team Bublé: Shye (Grade: B) defeated Jamison Puckett (Grade: B+) on “Love Yourself” | I really, really dig Shye — and the 17-year-old’s vocal here was lovely and full of emotion — but I couldn’t help but be drawn to Jamison on their Bieber cover. He sounded equally good and, on top of that, he sang with an oomph that turned my head. It was obviously the finish line for Jamison, though, when his coach reminded him of his advice regarding the song’s rhythm and sighed, “You did the best that you could.”
Team Reba: Lauren-Michael Sellers (Grade: A) defeated Creigh Riepe (Grade: A) on “You Will Be Found” | On an exceptionally well-matched Battle, Lauren-Michael and Creigh slayed Dear Evan Hansen’s big ballad. Some might say he shouted his way through, but man, the control that he maintained kept it on the side of emphatic singing for me. A genuinely tough one to call, because they were both so impressive. But, since Benson Boone is hot right now, I’d probably have gone with Creigh, thinking he could cruise down that lane. Bummed he wasn’t stolen.
Team Gwen: Jose Luis (Grade: B) defeated Austyns Stancil (Grade: A) on “Lay Me Down” — Austyns stolen by TBD | With his ginormous pipes, I figured Jose had the advantage on his and Austyns’ Sam Smith cover. But then Jose was super breathy on the verse, and as the song grew in intensity, Austyns popped the cork on a lower register that was seriously shocking (considering how high he’d already sung). Moreover, Austyns just seemed like the more seasoned, polished — as the coaches like to say, “ready” — contestant.
Whose performance knocked your socks off Monday? Vote in the poll below, then lemme know: Am I the only one who thinks Gwen chose the wrong winners in both of her Battles?
