Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Aaron Nichols performs during the knockout round on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Three more singers advanced to the playoffs on Season 28 of The Voice Monday night.

Advancing were Jazz McKenzie of Team Michael, Mindy Miller of Team Snoop Dogg and Aaron Nichols of Team Reba.

That meant the eliminated of Teo Ramdell, Carolina Rodriguez and Cori Kennedy.

Aaron also earned a mic drop from Reba, joining Max Chambers of Team Michael and DEK of Hearts of Team Niall as contestants vying for an opportunity to compete at the Rose Bowl Parade.

The Voice is stretching this year’s knockouts out over five weeks. The knockouts conclude next Monday night. For a look at where the teams stand, head here.

The links below take you to a profile of each contestant.

THE COACH GOT IT WRONG

TEAM SNOOP

The match: Mindy Miller vs. Carolina Rodriguez
The songs: Jamey Johnson’s “In Color” for Mindy. The Cure’s “Lovesong” for Carolina.
The background: Mindy, 35, of Damascus, Md., turned 2 chairs in the blinds, singing “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” Snoop used his block to ensure that she joined his team. She then won a battle against Emmanuel Rey. Carolina, 19, of Miami, Fla., turned 2 chairs with a performance of Taylor Swift’s “Cardigan” and joined Team Niall. She was stolen by Snoop after a battle with Kirbi.
The feedback:
The outcome: Snoop awarded the win to Mindy; Carolina was eliminated.
My take: I’ve been impressed with Mindy in every round of the competition and couldn’t believe the only got two chair turns in the blinds. She delivered another solid performance here, with plenty of emotion thrown in for good measure. That said, I would have been tempted to award the win here to Carolina. She was edited as little more than a Niall Horan superfan in the blinds. By knockouts, she was sounding like the most improved singer on the show. She made this song her own with a sultry delivery far better than I expected from a 19-year-old going up against a much more experienced singer. All that said, I’m sure Mindy will continue her string of outstanding performances in the playoffs.

THE COACHES GOT IT RIGHT

TEAM MICHAEL:

The match: Teo Ramdell vs. Jazz McKenzie
The songs: For Teo, “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi. For Jazz, “Cruisin'” by Smokey Robinson.
The background: Jazz McKenzie, 31, of Birmingham, Ala., closed out the show’s season premiere with a four-chair turn performance of Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” She then won a battle against Trinity. Teo, 34, of Tijuana, Mexico, also turned four chairs in the blinds, singing “Historia de un Amor.” He then won a battle with Elias Gomez.
The feedback: Snoop complimented Teo on delivering “superstar stuff.” But he gave the edge to Jazz. Niall called Jazz perhaps the best singer on the show. Reba called Jazz “unbelievable” and complimented Teo on a great performance. Michael said “God’s light radiates through” Jazz.
The outcome: Michael named Jazz the winner. Teo was eliminated.
My take: I really didn’t care for Teo’s song choice or performance, which came off way too theatrical and contrived for my taste. Guy has a fine voice. He just needed a different song. Jazz lived up to her name with a silky smooth performance and seemed much more in her element. She even showed off her rasp a couple of times. She was the clear victor.

TEAM REBA

The match: Aaron Nichols vs. Cori Kennedy
The songs: Lady Gaga’s “You and I” for Cori. The Band of Heathens’ “Hurricane” for Aaron.
The background: Cori, 28, of Kasson, Minn., turned two chairs singing “Why Not Me” in the blinds. She then won a battle Aubrey Nicole. Aaron, 37, of Bakersfield, Calif., turned three chairs singing “Cold” in the blinds. He won his battle against Daron Lameek.
The feedback:
The outcome: Reba named Aaron the winner, then awarded him with her mic drop, meaning he might get to perform during the Rose Bowl parade. Cori was eliminated.
My take: Loved the song choice by Cori, a country singer. It allowed her a chance to show off her performance ability and her vocal firepower, which is considerable. Unfortunately for Cori, she was matched up against one of the most distinctive voices on Season 28 in Aaron. He rocked out too, with an intense and undeniable performance. Reba made the right choice.