Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The match: Dan Kiernan vs. Tinika Wyatt
The background: Dan, 33, of Amityville, N.Y., turned two chairs int he blinds, then joined Team Kelsea when she pressed her replay button after his audition ended. He won his battle round match. Tinika, 50, of San Diego, made the show because she got Adam Levine to push his replay button. She lost her battle round match to four-chair turn Conor James, but was then stolen by Kelsea.
The songs: “Best of My Love” by The Emotions for Tinika; “Impossible” by Shontelle for Dan.
The feedback: John and Adam both gave the edge to Tinika. Michael didn’t express a preference.
The outcome: Kelsea named Tinika the winner of the knockout. Dan was eliminated.
My take: Tinika’s clearly an experience performer with a powerful voice. I wasn’t crazy about that arrangement of the song, but her vocal was spot on. Dan, meanwhile, did a great job of flipping a female’s song. And that big ending was pretty special. I was also certain that — and a better song choice — would tilt the scale in Dan’s favor.

THE COACHES GOT IT RIGHT

The match: Grace Miller-Moody vs. Lucia Flores-Wiseman
The background: Grace, 20, of Florence, S.C., kicked off Season 27 with a four-chair turn blind audition. She then won a battle round match that was montaged. Lucia, 22, of Maple Valley, Wash., also turned four chairs in the blinds. She was also a battle round victor.
The songs: “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac for Grace; “Slow It Down” by Benson Boone for Lucia.
The feedback: John gave the edge to Lucia. Kelsea and Michael didn’t voice a preference.
The outcome: Adam awarded the win to Lucia and thinks she could be a finalist. Grace was eliminated.
My take: Solid performance by Grace. But Lucia has such a unique, distinct sound she’s difficult to compete against. I think she’s one of Season 27’s best. She won the knockout.

The match: Ethan Eckenroad vs. Trevon Dawson
The background: Ethan, 27, of Roaring Spring, Pa., turned four chairs in the blinds, then won his battle. Trevon, 17, of Cole Camp, Missouri, was the last artist to nab a spot on Season 27. He also won in the battle round.
The song: “Red Dirt Road” by Brooks & Dunn for Travon; “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty for Ethan.
The feedback: Michael gave the edge to Trevon. John gave the edge to Ethan. Kelsea didn’t voice a preference.
The outcome: Adam awarded the win to Ethan. Trevon was eliminated.
My take: For his age, Trevon is one heck of a performer. His charisma and country vocals might make him the better Voice contestant. I thought Ethan stumbled a bit in the battles, but he was back in prime form for this performance. He did a great job of putting his stamp on a Tom Petty classic. I would have given him a teeny edge. Huge credit to Trevon for making that so difficult to call.

The match: Angie Rey vs. Iris Herrera
The background: Iris, 1, of Newaygo, Mich., turned three chairs in the blinds one season after turning none. She then won her battle round match. Angie, 25, of Seminole, Fla., turned just Kelsea’s chair. She then won her battle with Tatum Scott, who was stolen.
The songs: “Jolene” by Ray LaMontagne for Iris; “Dirt Cheap” by Cody Johnson for Angie Rey.
The feedback: John and Adam gave the edge to Iris. Michael didn’t voice a preference.
The outcome: Kelsea awarded the win to Iris, saying she feels further along in her vocal journey. Michael Buble steals Angie Rey.
My take: Iris is another of The Season 23 contestants with a unique sound. Remember, this is a young lady who didn’t turn a chair in Season 22. She’s been simply outstanding in Season 23. And it’s hard to believe Angie Rey was only a one-chair turn in the blinds. That ending, in particular, was pretty darn special. I, too, would have given the edge to Iris, though.

The match: BDii, aka Brian Darden, vs. Kolby Cordell
The background: BDii, 31, of Hampton, Va., turned four chairs in the blinds, then won his battle round match. Kolby, 32, of Ontario, Calif., turned two chairs in the blinds. He also won in the battle round.
The songs: BDii, “Back at One” by Brian McKnight; Kolby, “Lately” by Stevie Wonder.
The feedback: Kelsea gave the edge to BDii, saying he seems more “ready.” Michael gave the edge to Kolby.
The outcome: John named BD the winner, saying he’s proven he’s one of the show’s best vocalists. Adam and Michael then tried to steal Kolby. Kolby decided to join Team Adam.
My take: Kolby showed off nice range and power. If he opened his eyes during that performance, I missed it. Brian’s performance was a little sleepy, until he walked away from the mic stand and delivered a couple of outstanding glory notes. He won the knockout.