Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The Voice entered Monday’s show with just nine spots left to fill on its 40-singer Season 18 roster.

And the show saved some of the most impressive auditions for last.

Be assured, some of the singers featured Monday would have turned more chairs if spots hadn’t been so sparse.

Here’s a recap, complete with my picks for best performances of the night.

BEST OF THE NIGHT

Cedrice, 28, San Diego, “Fever” by Peggy Lee: Dang. Cedrice takes the stage and turns up the heat with the performance of the night. That’s as pro as a Voice blind audition gets. Great vocal. Great stage presence. John Legend turned, filling the last spot on The Voice Season 18. John praised her artistry and seductive approach to the song.

RUNNERS-UP

Mandi Castillo, San Antonio, Texas, “Así Fue” by Juan Gabriel: Mandi did her entire audition in Spanish, and the moved paid off with an early chair turn from Nick Jonas. Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Blake Shelton all followed, giving Mandi the night’s only four-chair turn. Nick called her voice “so phenomenal.” Kelly called it “everything it should be for a blind audition.” Mandi opted to join Team Legend.

Kevin Farris, Arlington Heights, Ill., “Home” by Johnnyswim: Kevin immediately launched into a fun, high-energy performance. And John Legend, normally stingy with his chair turns, turned within 40 seconds. Near the end of the song, Nick Jonas turned as well. John called his audition “powerful” and “magical.” Nick took the stage to sing “Lovebug” with Kevin. Naturally, Kevin joined Team Nick.

ALSO MADE THE SHOW

Kailey Abel, 19, “Forever Young” by Alphaville’s: Kailey immediately shows off a unique tone, with a rasp that sorta reminds me of Bonnie Tyler. An impressive glory note midway through the performance enticed Blake Shelton to turn his chair. I’m surprised more coaches didn’t turn for that vocal. So is Blake, who says she has an incredible gift and could win the show.

Brittney Allen, Columbus, Ga., “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn: Brittney delivered a really impressive opening, showed off a big voice and earned a chair turn from John Legend before hitting the 1-minute mark in her performance. John was the only coach to turn, so she automatically became Team John.

Anders Drerup, Ottowa, Canada, “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” by Elvis: Anders puts a raggae spin on the Elvis classic. And that prompted a pretty quick chair turn from Nick Jonas. Anders delivered a really nice ending too, but no one else turned, so he automatically became Team Nick.

Gigi Hess, 22, Lovington, N.M., “Lovesong” by The Cure: Gigi’s tender opening prompted an almost immediate chair turn from Kelly Clarkson. And that prompted Gigi to do a little hop on stage. Kelly wound up being the only coach to turn, in spite of an impressive ending. That meant Gigi became Team Kelly.

Cam Spinks, Alabaster, Ala.. “Wave on Wave” by Pat Green: Hey, a country voice on The Voice. They’ve been few and far between on Season 18. Cam displayed nice grit in his voice, and all the coaches glance toward Blake Shelton, the obvious chair turn. He does so, midway through the song. At the last minute, so does Kelly. Blake said there were lots of elements in Cam’s voice he loves. And Cam opted to join Team Blake.

Micah Iverson, Tokyo, Japan, “All I Want” by Kodaline: Micah showed off a nice tone from the opening note, picked a great song and got Kelly Clarkson to turn her chair less than a minute into his performance. He continued to impress, prompting late chair turns from Blake Shelton and Nick Jonas. Kelly said Micah’s her favorite type of male voice. John praised Micah’s tone and said he regrets no turning. Micah opted to join Team Kelly.