Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Davon Fleming and Maharasyi perform during the battle round on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Unfortunately, The Voice only served up about eight and a half minutes of music.

Three battle rounds were montaged. In Season 12, montaged battles were posted, in their entirety, on YouTube. The show isn’t even doing that in Season 13.

You can stream and download those songs from iTunes, and I’d encourage viewers to take advantage of that.

And I’d hope at some point, The Voice rethinks this whole montage business.

There’s no need for it in the blind auditions. The Voice introduced us to more singers that didn’t turn a chair than it montaged in Season 13.

Why, for crying out loud, not feature the singers who made the show?

And do producers think fans would care if all the build-up-to-the-battle footage was scrapped in favor of showing us all the performances during the one-hour shows?

I don’t know about anyone else, but I watch the show to meet and hear talented new singers, not to hear coaches and mentors talk.

On to tonight’s recap.

BEST OF THE NIGHT

Team Blake Shelton

Matchup: Mitchell Lee vs. Dennis Drummond
Song: “Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows
Background: Mitchell turned three chairs with his version of “Hold My Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish. Dennis turned two chairs with a performance of “She Talks to Angels.”
Outcome: Mitchell Lee was declared the winner. Dennis was stolen by Adam Levine.
My take: Hands down the best performance of the night, and part of the credit goes to Blake for a great song choice well suited to the pair squaring off. Mitchell’s vocals — and range — cut through even on the harmonies, so he was a deserving victor, but I’m sure glad Dennis was stolen. I’ll be shocked it that doesn’t do well on iTunes.

THE COACHES GOT IT RIGHT

Team Adam Levine

Matchup: Brandon Showell Hannah Mrozak
Song: “Cold Water” by Major Lazer
Background: Brandon Showell turned three chairs when he covered “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” by Shawn Mendes; Hannah also turned three chairs in the blinds with “Starving” by Hailee Steinfeld.
Outcome: Hannah was named the winner by Adam. Brandon was eliminated from the show.
My take: Adam was right. That was very even. But with her superstar look, a tone I love and a voice that soars, Hannah’s the more unique talent in Season 13.

Team Jennifer Hudson

Matchup: Davon Fleming vs. Maharasyi Hansa
Song: “I’m Your Baby Tonight” by Whitney Houston
Background: Davon had all four coaches turn when he performed “Me and Mr. Jones.” Maharasyi turned two chairs covering “Tell Me Something Good.
Outcome: Davon was declared the winner, meaning all four four-chair turns to sing in the battles so far have advanced. Maharaysi was eliminated when she wasn’t stolen.
My take: Davon hit a high note at the 2-minute mark that showed Jennifer made the right decision, but these two put on quite a show. And I’m hoping we hear more from Maharasyi because the only thing wrong with the pop EP she released earlier this year was that it was too short (just 3 tracks).

MONTAGED (#IHateMontages!!!!)

Team Adam Levine

Matchup: Dave Crosby vs. Dylan Gerard
Song: “Doctor My Eyes” by Jackson Browne
Background: Dave turned three chairs with his rendition of “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cuties. Dylan had two chairs turn for his cover of “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur.
Outcome: Dylan advanced, David was eliminated.
My take: Who knows? The Voice didn’t show the performance. Would have loved to have seen what they did with that song choice.

Team Miley Cyrus

Matchup: Chloe Kohanski vs. Ilianna Viramontes
Song: “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy
Background: Chloe turned two chairs with a performance of “The Chain.” Ilianna also turned two chairs with a performance of “New Soul.”
Outcome: Chloe advanced. Ilianna was eliminated.
My take: Again, this was part of a three-battle montage package. But that song? Really? I think Miley is letting the fact that she has an all-female team affect her song choices.

Team Blake Shelton

Matchup: Esera Tuaolo vs. Rebecca Brunner
Song: “This I Promise You” by ‘Nsync
Background: Esera, the former pro football player, turned two chairs with his version of “I Believe.” Rebecca made the show when Blake Shelton turned just as she was finishing her cover of “Believer” by Imagine Dragon.
Outcome: Esera was declared the battle winner; Rebecca was eliminated.
My take: Again, this was montaged. Again, this was an intriguing song choice that piqued my interest. So does the snippet of the iTunes version I heard, because Rebecca sounded very good.