Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Can Blake Shelton’s streak be broken?

That might be the biggest question tonight as The Voice kicks off Season 5.

Blake Shelton shows off the trophies from winning the last three seasons of The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Artists coached by Blake have won the last three seasons of The Voice.

The show’s country coach has helped make winners of Jermaine Paul, Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery.

And only Danielle entered the competition as a true country singer.

Cee Lo Green and Christina Augilera return for Season 5, both looking for their first Voice title.

Javier Colon won Season 1, under the tutelage of Adam Levine.

I’ll be live blogging throughout tonight’s episode, grading the auditions as they occur and perhaps providing a little more info on the contestants we just met.

You can also follow Idol Chatter through your mobile device or iPad. Just download the free York Dispatch apps. Head to sections, then blogs, and you’ll find this one.

And the auditions begin.

Kat Robichaud kicked off the auditions on The Voice Monday night.

Kat Robichaud, 29, Raleigh, N.C.: She’s first up. Hmm, curious. I just posted one of her songs today. She played with a band called The Design based in North Carolina. They released a pair of albums, including the impressive “Young America” in 2011. She’s dedicating her performance to her dad, who died earlier this year. She’s singing “I Got the Music in Me.” And three judges spin their chairs at the first chorus. Which seems to put Kat in overdrive. Folks, having seen some of her live videos, she’s not even showing half her moves yet. And love that raspy sound in her voice. The only mentor who didn’t turn his chair was Adam Levine. And Kat chooses Cee Lo, saying she loves his style and his “funky-ness.” To hear the Kat song I posted earlier today, head here. Grade: A-

Caroline Pennell, 17, Saddle River, N.J: She got her introduction to music in camp at a young age and calls the first time she stepped on stage “life changing.” She’s got a unique sound, a little like Melanie Martinez back in Season 3. She’s singing “Anything Could Happen” and gets Blake and Cee Lo to turn around early in her performance. That distracts her for a while, but she recovers to show off a nice range. She seems genuinely surprised to have succeeded on The Voice stage. This gal also has music out, having released an EP earlier this year. Adam calls her “the sweetest thing on earth.” Cee Lo tells Caroline she has “a quirk” that really works for him. Blake calls her “a bad-ass vocalist.” And Cee Lo snags his second artist. Freshly back in a red chair, Cee Lo is on a roll. Grade: B-

Donna Allen joined Team Adam on The Voice.

Donna Allen, 54, Hollywood, Fla.: And, yes, Season 5 will also feature a former background singer. Donna performed with Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine for eight years. She’s also a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer cheerleader. Donna launches into “You Are So Beautiful” and two judges — Christina and Adam — turn their chairs on the first line. But the other two judges do not turn around. Really nice vocal gymnastics on Donna’s part. Oh, by the way, she wasn’t just a background singer. She also released a pair of solo albums back in the late 1980s. Christina compliments the “richness of her tone.” Adam does some heavy lobbying for her services, too. And Donna joins Team Adam, which prompts him to rush the stage and lift her into the air. Grade: B

Jake Worthington, 17, La Porte, Texas: Here’s guessing he sings country, since we’re watching him ride four-wheelers and go fishing. And since he shows up wearing a cowboy hat. He admits to being nervous, saying he’s performed many times before, but never before stars like these or this large a crowd. He’s going to sing “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.” Unfortunately, that was a pretty rough opening. And Jake’s a little all over the place with this vocal. Not sure the rapid-fire lyrics were the best idea for a guy who admitted he was suffering from a case of the nerves. Not sure this performance is going to spin chairs either. And it doesn’t. Grade: D+

Matthew Schuler earned Season 5’s first four-chair turn-around on The Voice.

Matthew Schuler, 20, Yardley, Pa.: This guy is a sophomore in college who plays rugby and also works in a bagel shop. Matthew says his parents are both pastors, but they lost their lease to the church and now worship in the basement. Matthew says he decided to audition because “I have so many songs in my heart” that he wants to share. He’s going to sing “Cough Syrup” and gets all four coaches to turn in a heartbeat. And Matthew gets a standing ovation from many in the audience and gets Adam and Christina to stand up from their chairs. And the lobbying for Matthew’s services begins. Cee Lo calls his voice “beautiful.” Adam compliments him on the “joy and passion” with which he sings. And says Blake is “due for a loss.” Matthew says being in the same room with the coaches is “an honor.” Just watched that audition again. No doubt, Matthew looks comfortable on stage and showed off a nice range. And he picks Team Christina. Grade: B

Nic Hawk, 26, Dallas, Texas: He calls himself a good mix between Amy Winehouse and Jessie J., “except the male version.” Nic says he’s performed in 25 musicals in the last seven years. He picked up a job bartending and teaches hip-hop dance to help his family after his mother’s husband left the family, Nic tells The Voice. Now that his family is back on its feet, he wants to pursue his passion for music. He’ll audition with “Hit ‘Em Up Style.” Adam turns his chair quickly, ensuring Nic a spot on the show. About midway through the song, Cee Lo spins around as well. Adam calls him “a phenomenal singer.” Cee Lo compliments him on his charisma and breath control. Nic’s having trouble choosing, but fears he won’t be able to focus as a member of Team Adam because he’s “so good looking.” Nic chooses Team Adam. Nic looks like he’s going to be a world of fun. Grade: B-

Julianna Bastone, Samuel Mancini and Franchika are youngsters who tried out, but didn’t land on a team.

Matthew Brea, 15, Atlanta, Ga. His family moved to the U.S. from Haiti back in 1986. He says his dad was part of an a cappella group, and that’s how his passion in music began. Matthew was 7 when his younger brother died at age 2. He says he sang “How Great Thou Art” at his brother’s funeral services. Matthew will sing “I Want You Back.” This guy has fun and looks natural on stage, but his vocal is wavering a bit. And he can’t entice a chair to turn either. He didn’t get a spot on the show, but he wound up with a hug from Christina. Grade: C

Shelbie Z snagged a spot on Team Blake on The Voice

Shelbie Z., 21, Jasper. Alabama: She’s a full-time hair stylist and part-time pageant coach. She says she’s participated in 100 of them, and won about 45. She says she stopped competing in pageants at age 10, and music is now her passion. She’s going to sing “Here for the Party.” And that’s the way you attack a country song, folks. Three chairs spin before she reaches the chorus. Pretty impressive. The pageant experience is showing off, because Shelbie is anything but bashful on stage. She’s also showing off a really big voice. Very well done. Blake calls her performance “amazing.” Christina calls her a “powerhouse.” And is anyone going to be surprised by Shelbie landing on Team Blake? One of my favorite auditions of the night. Grade: B+

Josh Logan, 33, Manchester, N.H.: He says his mother was a deejay and let him help out when he was about 8. And that, folks, was his introduction to music. He worked construction for a while, but is now a full-time musician. He’s singing “Too Close,” and gets Blake and Christina to turn quickly, followed by Adam. To my ears, he’s the best male singer we’ve heard so far tonight. Very nice, unique voice. Blake says Josh “can do anything.” Josh says he isn’t quite “sure how to take that.” Josh says he prefers R&B and soul music. Josh released an EP called “Gone Tomorrow, Here Today” last year. He picks Christina, saying he liked her “serious demeanor.” Grade: B+

Delvin Choice, 24, Greenville, S.C.: This gent with a unique hairstyle says the show hasn’t had anyone like him. Hmm. He works at Starbucks and says he sings while he works. He’s also performed musical theater and studied classical music for about five years. Delvin will sing “Closer.” That first verse fell flat, and you have to wonder if Delvin is being affected by nerves. He finds his footing, though, once he hits the chorus and his voice soars, but it still isn’t enough to spin a chair. Cee Lo compliments him on his big voice and his hairstyle. Delvin says it’s called “the lobster.” Grade: C+

James Wolpert landed on Team Adam on The Voice.

James Wolpert 22, Lancaster, Pa.: James loves illustration and working with computers, but also says he fell in love with singing and decided to put college on hold to pursue music. He’s hoping he can make music his full-time job with the help of The Voice. He’s going to sing “Love Interruption.” Nice song choice. And nice job early in the performance. Then James unleashes an a cappella segment midway through the audition and takes it to the next level, prompting all three male coaches to spin their chairs in rapid succession. And a big glory note at the end entices Christina to turn around as well, earning James the second four-chair turn-around of the night. James is used to the stage and at least somewhat familiar with TV. Back in 2008, James competed on ABC’s “High School Musical: Get in the Picture.” After that fine audition, the judges go into heavy lobbying mode. James joins Team Adam. Grade: B+