Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Best performances on Season 9 of ‘The Voice’

Originally published on Dec. 11, 2015.

image

Jordan Smith is one of the show’s four finalists. (Scripps)

The latest season of NBC’s hit singing competition has come down to the final four: Team Adam’s Jordan Smith, Team Gwen’s Jeffrey Austin, and Emily Ann Roberts and Barrett Baber from Team Blake (Pharell has no singers in the finals). The season has been filled with jaw-dropping performances (along with some behind-the-scenes drama over Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s new romance), but here are our picks for the best.

5. Emily Ann Roberts: “In the Garden”
The country chanteuse’s beautiful take on the classic gospel hymn during the show’s first Live Playoff round propelled her into the Top 12.

4. Barrett Baber: “Ghost,” by Halsey
The country singer showed he can also do rock when he opened the Dec. 7 episode with this passionate performance.

3. Madi Davis: “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” by Cyndi Lauper
It’s a shame the 16-year-old, Team Pharrell’s last hope, didn’t make the finals. Her unique spin on every song she sings was in full force when she turned Cyndi Lauper’s famous pop song into a haunting ballad about female empowerment.

2. Jeffery Austin: “Make It Rain,” by Ed Sheeren
Unlike the other three finalists, Austin wasn’t a shoo-in for the finals; he had to go up against Madi Davis and Zach Seabaugh to win the show’s final Instant Save. But Austin’s powerful version of Sheeren’s song had America picking him by a big margin.

1. Jordan Smith: “Somebody to Love,” by Queen
From his first performance, Smith proved he was the one to beat, and he got better week after week. His Queen cover in the semifinals not only received more votes than any other Voice contestant ever, it knocked Adele from the top of the iTunes chart (which she’d been leading for five straight weeks).

HONORABLE MENTION

Amy Vachal: “Hotline Bling,” by Drake
Vachal deserves a nod for her breezy take on Drake’s booty call classic.

—By Pauline Vu

No comments:

My wonderful father has died

Hao Van Vu, who left Vietnam after the war and built a new life in southern California, died on Feb. 20 after a lengthy battle with lun...