Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Lauren Hall snagged the final save of the battles during Monday night’s episode of The Voice.

Also advancing were Preston C. Howell, Ricky Braddy, Jake HaldenVang, Calvin Locket and Hello Sunday.

But that meant the elimination of singer-songwriter Mendeleyev, one of the show’s most baffling battle round casualties and an artist who had turned four chairs in the blind auditions.

Here’s a recap of Monday night’s battle round matches.

WHERE WAS THE SAVE?

TEAM LEGEND

The match: Mendeleyev vs. Preston C. Howell
The background: Mendeleyev, 28, of Santa Barbara, Calif., turned four chairs covering Bob Dylan’s “Girl from the North Country” in the blinds. Preston, 14, of Miami, Fla., turned four chairs with “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”
The song: “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor
The feedback: Gwen and Blake said they’d give the edge to Preston because he’s so young and seems to have so much potential. Kelly praised both singers.
The outcome: John named Preston the winner. Mendeleyev, a four-chair turn in the blinds, was eliminated.
My take: John said he paired them because they’re the only baritones on his team. They’re very different performers, but turned in an excellent performance and sounded very good together. The fact that Preston held his own on a song that was in Mendeleyev’s wheelhouse is certainly impressive. But, wow, I thought Mendeleyev at least deserved that steal Blake has been hoarding. He’s the type of performer I think Voice voters would embrace. And I’m not sure what he could have done better in that performance.

THE COACH GOT IT RIGHT

TEAM GWEN STEFANI

The match: Caroline Reilly vs. Jake HaldenVang
The background: Caroline, 16, of Cumming, Ga., snagged the very last spot on Season 17 covering “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane in the blinds. Jake, 24, of Charlotte, N.C., performed “Wish I Knew You” and turned three chairs.
The song: “Just Like a Pill” by Pink
The feedback: Kelly said she was really impressed with Jake’s delivery. Blake praised Caroline’s handling of the song at 16. John would also go with Jake, saying he has an imaginative take on the song.
The outcome: Gwen declared Jake the victor. Caroline, not stolen or saved, was eliminated.
My take: For her age, Caroline showed off great stage presence and a big voice. But Jake’s tone grabbed my attention more as a guy flipping a song recorded by a woman and for his raspy vocals.

THE COACH GOT IT WRONG

TEAM KELLY CLARKSON

The match: Hello Sunday vs. Lauren Hall
The background: Hello Sunday (Chelsea and Myla, both 14), of Atlanta, Ga., auditioned with Keala Settle’s “This is Me” and turned just Kelly’s chair in the blinds. Lauren, 25, West Hollywood, Calif., performed “One and Only” by Adele and was also a one-chair turn.
The song: “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus
The feedback: John complimented Lauren on a gorgeous tone and Hello Sunday for their vocal fireworks. Blake called them all winners.
The outcome: Kelly advanced Hello Sunday, the only duo left on the show. Blake swoped in and stole Lauren.
My take: Hello Sunday showed great improvement since the battles. But, wow, the ache in Lauren’s voice is what grabbed my attention. This performance came alive the minute she opened her mouth. In my opinion, she won the battle, hands down, and should not have needed the save. Kelly, who has won the show twice with young singers, certainly seemed to favor youth in the battles. Had she chosen right here, Blake might have been able to use that save on Medeleyev.

THE MONTAGED

TEAM GWEN STEFANI

The match: Brennen Henson vs. Calvin Lockett
The background: Brennen, 20, of Flint, Mich., turned two chairs with “Riptide” by Vance Joy in the blinds; Calvin. 25, of Nashville, Tenn., turned three with “Just My Imaginaton” by the Temptations.
The song: “Yellow” by Coldplay
The outcome: Gwen proclaimed Calvin the winner. Brennen was eliminated.
My take: The show montaged the performance, so who knows?

TEAM BLAKE SHELTON

The match: Jordan Chase vs. Ricky Braddy
The background: Jordan, 19, of Pensacola, Fla., performed “Makin’ Me Look Good Again” by Drake White and turned two chairs in the blinds. Ricky, 36, of Nashville, Tenn., performed “The Story” By Brandi Carlile and turned three.
The song: “Rumor’
The outcome: Blake named Ricky the winner based on his experience, according to the small snippet we saw. Jordan was eliminated.
My take: The performance was montaged, so who knows?