The Voice certainly saved the best for last when it came to season nine's blind auditions, forcing the coaches to get choosy during the final round of tryouts. Though, it was kind of a downer to see so many awesome singers get turned away, the amount of talent packed into two hours was thrilling. Adam, Gwen, Pharrell and Blake all added serious contenders to their already strong lineups. Honestly, I could gush about every single singer, but my top picks are below.
Here are cream-of-the-crop performances from the last night of the blind auditions:
Utah native Dustin Christensen put his own twist on the "blind audition."
The 35-year old has nearly no vision in his right eye, and endured bullying as a kid for the eye-patch he used to wear. His singing chops were crystal clear, though, scoring him the first four-chair turnaround of the night with a rendition of Tom Waits' "Downtown Train."
The 35-year old has nearly no vision in his right eye, and endured bullying as a kid for the eye-patch he used to wear. His singing chops were crystal clear, though, scoring him the first four-chair turnaround of the night with a rendition of Tom Waits' "Downtown Train."
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City Boy Adam vs. Country Boy Blake, Round One.
The bickering frenemies' rivalry came to a head when Dustin Monk took the stage. The former pop-punk singer looked like your typical rocker dude, but gave a soulful performance of Gary Clark Jr.'s "Bright Lights." Adam and Blake both went crazy for his natural vibrato, but Adam nabbed the 27-year-old.
The bickering frenemies' rivalry came to a head when Dustin Monk took the stage. The former pop-punk singer looked like your typical rocker dude, but gave a soulful performance of Gary Clark Jr.'s "Bright Lights." Adam and Blake both went crazy for his natural vibrato, but Adam nabbed the 27-year-old.
Adam vs. Blake, Round Two.
The night's breakout star was undeniably 16-year-old Alabama sweetheart, Shelby Brown. She slayed Grace Potter & The Nocturnals' rock anthem "Stars," bringing the entire room to its feet with her powerful pipes, perfect pitch and country touch. Though Shelby's initial instincts were to join the country mafia, Adam convinced her she was destined to work with him. No, literally. "I couldn't be more sure this [last] spot on my team was made for you Shelby," he said. "I KNOW it!" I mean, could you say no? Adam now has "the greatest and most eclectic team I've ever had on the history of The Voice."
I happen to agree, here — Adam's roster of talent is studded with spectacular vocalists from a wide variety of genres and styles. Expectations are high, Adam!
The night's breakout star was undeniably 16-year-old Alabama sweetheart, Shelby Brown. She slayed Grace Potter & The Nocturnals' rock anthem "Stars," bringing the entire room to its feet with her powerful pipes, perfect pitch and country touch. Though Shelby's initial instincts were to join the country mafia, Adam convinced her she was destined to work with him. No, literally. "I couldn't be more sure this [last] spot on my team was made for you Shelby," he said. "I KNOW it!" I mean, could you say no? Adam now has "the greatest and most eclectic team I've ever had on the history of The Voice."
I happen to agree, here — Adam's roster of talent is studded with spectacular vocalists from a wide variety of genres and styles. Expectations are high, Adam!
Gwen traded a T-shirt for candy — and a pretty sweet voice, too.
The 31-year-old Oklahoma City native, Chase Kerby, who works in his mom's candy store, gave a solemn performance of Coldplay's "The Scientist." (We're still waiting for the day a contestant successfully turns that one into a jolly foot-stomper!) He scored a Team Gwen tee.
The 31-year-old Oklahoma City native, Chase Kerby, who works in his mom's candy store, gave a solemn performance of Coldplay's "The Scientist." (We're still waiting for the day a contestant successfully turns that one into a jolly foot-stomper!) He scored a Team Gwen tee.
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Gwen got the beautiful "princess" she was waiting for.
Amy Vachal, the 26-year-old Brooklynite — and kickasss artist and econ major — got the three remaining coaches to spin their seats only a few seconds into "Dream A Little Dream Of Me." You can hear her professed influences — old-style crooners like Ella Fitzgerald and Sam Cooke — in her warm voice. The gal could give Billie Holiday a run for her money — definitely one to watch.
Amy Vachal, the 26-year-old Brooklynite — and kickasss artist and econ major — got the three remaining coaches to spin their seats only a few seconds into "Dream A Little Dream Of Me." You can hear her professed influences — old-style crooners like Ella Fitzgerald and Sam Cooke — in her warm voice. The gal could give Billie Holiday a run for her money — definitely one to watch.
One last thing: I just can't let the blind auditions end without pointing out the entertaining (if not relevant or noteworthy) fact that our host Carson Daly has pretty much only said five different words since the season started: "Let's meet our next artist." Maybe Carson will get a few more lines in the battle rounds, which begin next Monday. We're ready.