Alexia Jayy and Moses G with Carson Daly, awaiting an outcome on The Voice. (NBC Photo)
Kelly Clarkson waste no time using her Super Steal on The Voice.
But surprisingly, she used the steal not to steal a contestant, but to keep one of her own contestants during a battle round in which there are no saves.
Huh? How is that even allowed?
Well, it was. She did it. And as a result, she still has talented young artist Liv Ciara on her team, who should have won the battle anyway.
Liv was one of two artists stolen as The Voice opened its battle round. The other was Moses G., saved by John Legend after he was pitted against Alexia Jayy.
Alexia, meanwhile, reminded everyone that she’s one of the top singing talents on Season 29 of The Voice.
In addition to Liv, Alexia and Mose G., Grace Humphries, Bay Simpson, Mikenley Brown, J.W. Griffin, Jaali Boyd and Lucas West advanced to the knockouts during Monday’s pre-taped show.
That meant the elimination of Hunter Jordan, Adi Arora, Blaire Elbert, A.J. Robinson and Bijou Belle. Hunter had turned all three coaches’ chairs in the blinds.
Here’s a recap of Monday’s show.
WELL-DESERVED SAVES
TEAM ADAM
The match: Moses G. and Alexia Jayy
The song: “Nightshift” by The Commodores
The background: Moses, 31, of Harlem, N.Y., performed “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart to entice his chair turn from Adam. Alexia, 31, of Mobile, Ala., sang “A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin, turning all three chairs.
The feedback: Both John and Kelly praised Alexia’s vocals, loving the ache in her voice. Both also agreed that Moses G. turned in a superb performance. Adam calls Alexia’s voice a gift. He also praised Moses’ performance.
The outcome: Adam named Alexia the winner of the battle, saying she could definitely win the show. John then stepped in and saved Moses, loving his positive vibes and star power.
My take: Alexia has one of the best voice on Season 29 and showed that off again. But Moses G. turned in an excellent voice and some wonderful state presence. No way Alexia could go home. She was the winner of the battle. But that was a well deserved steal for Moses.
TEAM KELLY
The match: Liv Ciara and Mikenley Brown
The song: “Focus” by H.E.R.
The background: Liv, 16, of St. Peters, Missouri, performed “We Can’t Be Friends” by Ariana Grande. Mikenley, 19, of New Castle, Indiana, performed “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry and turned three chairs.
The feedback: John complimented the singers on their silky smooth harmonies. He gave a slight edge to Liv because of her range. Adam loved the way the singers played off each other. He called it the best battle round match he’s heard, but didn’t voice an opinion. Kelly liked the way they elevated each other instead of competing.
The outcome: Kelly named Mikenley the winner, praising her tone and her angelic head voice. John and Adam both tried to steal Liv. They were mid-pitch when Kelly hit her super steal button to keep Liv. Kelly says Liv reminds her of a young Mariah Carey.
My take: Mikenley showed off nice soul and grit in her voice during her solos. But Liv was vocally impressive too, and someone sprinkled some star dust on that young woman. For that reason, I’d give her a slight edge.
THE COACHES GOT IT WRONG
TEAM KELLY
The match: Blaire Elbert and J.W. Griffin
The song: “Never Again, Again” by Lee Ann Womack
The background: J.W., 25, OF Moultrie, Ga., performed “Long Haired Country Boy” by Charlies Daniels in the blinds, turning all three chairs. Blaire, 28, of Lubbock, Texas, performed the country classic “Wide Rollin’ Plains,” showed off her yodeling skills and turned Kelly’s chair.
The feedback: Adam loved the power in Blaire’s voice. But he loves J.W.’s voice. Kelly loved their version of one of her favorite country song.
The outcome: Kelly awarded the win to J.W. That means Blaire is eliminated. Kelly says J.W.’s voice is “so special.”
My take: Oh, my, Blaire showed off a lovely tone on this. J.W. seemed like her background singer on the harmonies. But when he sang solo, he showed off a distinctive tone as well. I’d give Blaire the edge because she’s the one who brought dynamics to the song.
TEAM ADAM
The match: Hunter Jordan and Bay Simpson
The song: “I’m the Problem” by Morgan Wallen
The background: Hunter, 22, Maysville, Kentucky, performed “Let Me Down Easy” by Billy Currington in the blinds and turned 2 chairs. Bay, 26, of Muscle Shoals, Ala., performed “The Waiting” by Tom Petty and got a last-second turn from Bay.
The feedback: John loves Bay’s really cool voice, but said Hunter’s voice is very strong. John gave a slight edge to Bay. Kelly called them superstars in different ways. She leaned toward Hunter. Adam praised both singers and said he wishes he had a save.
The outcome: John awarded the win to Bay. Hunter was eliminated.
My take: For a while, I wondered if Bay was going to get a chance to sing. Hunter was a three-chair turn; Bay was a one-chair turn. They were very close on this song. I’d give Hunter the edge because his voice is the one that cut through on the harmonies.
THE COACH GOT IT RIGHT
TEAM LEGEND
The match: Adi Arora and Grace Humphries
The song: “Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink
The background: Adi, 21, of Short Hills, New Jersey, performed “It Will Rain,” by Bruno Mars in the blinds, turning 2 chairs. Grace, 18, of Austin, Texas, sang “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell, enticing a chair turn from John.
The feedback: Kelly and Adam praised both singers. John praised John’s range. He called Grace compelling on stage. The comments and the performance on this song were cut short.
The outcome: John awarded the win to Grace, saying she rose to the occasion.
My take: Adi showed off incredible range, but missed one of those high notes badly. I really liked Grace’s vocal on this song. It was so much better than her audition.
TEAM LEGEND
The match: A.J. Robinson and Lucas West
The song: “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes
The background: Lucas, 20, of Fairport, N.Y., performed “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John in the blinds, turning 2 chairs. A.J. Robinson, 14, of Cataula, Ga., sang “Watermelon Moonshine” by Lainey Wilson. John was his only chair turn. A.J.’s the youngest singer on Season 29.
The feedback: Kelly loves A.J.’s enormous voice at 14. And he loves Lucas’s falsetto. Adam praised Lucas’s soulful tone and gave him the edge. John says A.J. has a lovely tone. And praised the soul and texture in Lucas’s voice.
The outcome: John awarded the win to Lucas, calling his approach to the song “flawless.”
My take: Just 14, A.J. does well, showing off a better vocal than in the blinds. But Lucas nailed a high note and displayed a much more mature and textured singer-songwriter tone. He was the clear winner of this battle.
TEAM ADAM
The match: Bijou Belle and Jaali Boyd
The song: “Die for You” by The Weeknd
The background: Jaali, 25, OF Baltimore, Md., sang “No Air” by Jordin Sparks, turning 2 chairs. Bijou Belle, 17, OF Rapid City, S.D., performed “Wildflower” by Billie Eilish; only Adam turned.
The feedback: John loved Bijou’s connection to the song. John liked Jaali’s understated performance. Adam like their believability. If Kelly said anything about the battle, it wound up on the cutting room floor.
The outcome: Adam awarded the win to Jaali, calling her voice incredible.
My take: Loved the way Bijou’s voice cut through at the opening. It seemed to take Jaali a while to find her groove. But by the time she sang the chorus on her own, she had certainly done that. Based on her overall vocal, I would have given the edge to Jaali. Not sure the song was a great fit for Bijou’s voice, which is one reason I HATE, HATE, HATE this round of The Voice. When a coach says he gave the singers a song he figures they never expected to sing, my reaction is: Then why in the hell did you give them that song?
Liv Ciara reacts to being the recipient of Kelly Clarkson’s super save on The Voice. (NBC Photo)
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