Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The battle rounds continue tonight on The Voice.

Three singers — Biff Gore, Jake Barker and Patrick Thompson — dodged elimination last night.

For what Jake and Patrick had to say about the experience, head here. You’ll also find a photo gallery from last night’s show.

Unfortunately, Biff Gore didn’t participate in today’s conference call with advancing artists from the show.

TEAM SHAKIRA

Jeremy Briggs

Clarissa Serna

Clarissa Serna vs. Jeremy Briggs: Clarissa Serna, 27, of Corpus Christi, Texas, turned in one of the best blind audition performances, turning four chairs with “Zombie.” Pre-Voice, she’d been working in her parents’ real estate office. Jeremy Briggs, 26, of Sacramento, Calif., was a rock singer with a band called Relic 45 before The Voice. He sang “Bad Company” for his audition and turned two chairs.

Shakira says they’re her two rockers, so she’s giving them “Cold as Ice.” Clarissa, though she turned four chairs, says going up against Jeremy on this song is a little intimidating because Jeremy sings rock music so easily. Shakira’s guest mentor Miranda says the two of them are struggling to find their chemistry. But after their second rehearsal, she predicts it will be a “great battle.” Like Clarissa’s attitude, right off the bat. But it’s also pretty apparent this song is in Jeremy’s vocal wheelhouse. Jeremy’s also trying to do a little bit too much with the song at points. That said, they just delivered very powerful performances, filled with big moments. And that ending … wow. My take: I’d give the win to Clarissa; the song seemed more out of her comfort zone, yet she matched Jeremy note for note. Shakira’s decision: Clarissa wins.

The steal? Jeremy is not stolen.

TEAM ADAM

Caleb Elder

Delvin Choice

Caleb Elder vs. Delvin Choice: Caleb Elder, 19, of Appomattox, Va., is the guy who was working in a doughnut shop in the morning and gigging at night before his blind audition. He sang “Groove Me” and landed the last spot on Season 6. Delvin Choice, 24, of Greenville, S.C., is best known for being the singing Starbucks employee and for that hairstyle, called The Lobster. He turned all four chairs with his version of “A Song for You” after failing to turn a single one when he auditioned in Season 5.

One worked at a doughnut shop; one worked at Starbucks. One has grown some facial hair since the blind audition; the other has a lobster on his head. Of course, Adam paired them up, though he says they have little in common vocally. Adam is giving them a song by his mentor, Aloe Blacc, to perform. It’s called “The Man.” Adam says he likes Delvin’s power and he likes Caleb’s rasp. Hold it, this song is a total rip-off of “My Song.” Anyway, that wasn’t the best of the battles we’ve seen. The song was really outside Caleb’s comfort zone and it showed. Delvin is a fine showman and showed off lots of vocal potential. He hit a couple of really big notes. My take: I’d give the win to Delvin. Adam’s decision: He awards the win to Delvin.

The steal? Caleb is not stolen.

And now, for some snippets.

TEAM BLAKE: Megan Ruger defeated Ria Eaton singing “My Happy Ending.”

TEAM SHAKIRA: Ddendyl defeated Lindsay Pagano on “I Feel the Earth Move.”

TEAM USHER: Morgan Wallen defeated Brothers Walker on “Hey Brother.”

Hate when they do that.

TEAM USHER

Brittnee Camelle

Melissa Jimenez

Melissa Jimenez vs. Brittnee Camelle: Brittnee Camelle, 23, of Lawrenceville, Ga., is the singer who put her nursing scholarship at risk by auditioning for The Voice. She sang “Skyscraper” and turned two chairs. Melissa Jimenez, 29, of Fort Lee, N.J., is the young woman who performs with her dad’s Something Special Orchestra. Two coaches turned for her blind audition performance of “If I Ain’t Got You.”

Usher says he’s put two singers together he thinks will challenge one another and make the aggressor come out in them. He has them singing “Give It To Me Right.” And by the end of the second rehearsal, Usher says the battle has evened itself out and could become a cat fight. By the way, Carson has already spoiled any sense of suspense: Whoever doesn’t win is going to be stolen. Dang, like Melissa’s opening. Dang, like Brittnee’s conviction. Hmm, and Brittnee just unleashed a little rasp. Now the ladies are trading glory notes. Kudos to Usher, for serving up a song that allowed these two young beauties to show off tons of attitude and sass. Absolutely great ending. Shakira calls it “smoky hot.” My take: Brittnee sounded a wee bit stronger vocally. Just a wee bit. Usher’s decision: He decides to keep Melissa on his team.

The steal? Adam and Shakira both want Brittnee. Adam and Shakira are lobbying hard for Brittnee. And Brittnee goes with Team Adam.

Coming soon: A photo gallery from tonight’s battles.