There are 21 battles remaining on The Voice, and two of the eight steals have already been used.
Katie Basden and Malik Heard got those Monday night, joining Team Pharrell and Team Blake, respectively.
How well received were their performances?
The cover of “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” was the only song to crack the Top 200 on iTunes. It was sitting at 104 as of 7 p.m. Oh, and it was number seven on the site’s R&B singles chart.
Katie’s version of “Maybe I’m Amazed” with Ryan Quinn was number 19 on the rock chart at the same time.
Follow the links below and they’ll take you to bio blogs on each singer, complete with samples of pre-show music and info about the artist you didn’t hear about on The Voice.
Team Christina:
Tamar Davis
Shalyah Fearing
Background: Shalyah is the teenager from a big family who performs in a family band. Tamar is the young lady who was once in a Girls Tyme group with Beyonce and performed with Prince. They’ll sing Lady Marmalade by advisor Patti Labelle, a song also covered by Christina. Christina says Shalyah has more grit than you’d expect from someone her age and that Tamar has incredible range. Patti predicts a tough battle, even though Shalyah is just 15.
The battle: For someone who doesn’t have lots of sass, Tamar found a heavy dose somewhere. And Shalyah … dang, those vocals at age 15. She isn’t backing down in the least. Really, really fun, energetic performance those those ladies. Tamar delivered some amazing vocals near the end. Blake and Adam each say they’d give Tamar a slight edge.
My pick: Tamar is probably better prepared for this competition, so I’d go with her.
Christina’s pick: She awards the win to Tamar.
The steal: Yep, Shalyah remains in the competition thanks to a steal from Pharrell. Not angry about that at all. She was incredibly impressive for 15.
Team Blake:
Mary Sarah
Justin Whisnant
Background: I’m a little surprised Blake is matching two of his best country singers against one another. Justin has been performing with a band called Cold Water County. Mary Sarah has some impressive original music, not to mention a duets album with country greats like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. They’ll sing “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty. He says it’s a vintage song, and both of these singers can deliver vintage vocals.
The battle: Dang, we’re witnessing another really nice performance. It’s hard to find fault with either of those singers. Mary Sarah has a really playful attitude on stage that helped set her apart. Blake isn’t getting much help from the other coaches, both of whom hand out compliments to both Justin and Mary Sarah.
My pick: Mary Sarah, just because of what great stage presence she showed. I’d also lean toward her because she’s already released impressive pre-show music.
Blake’s pick: Blake declares Mary Sarah the winner.
The steal: There isn’t one; Justin is eliminated.
Team Pharrell:
Nick Hagelin
Jessica Crosbie
Background: Jessica is the young woman who moved to Atlanta from England to look for a future in music. Nick is the young man with a good deal of released music already. He’s also the dad of Bash, who defied the odds and learned to walk. Pharrell says they’re very different artists and he’s hoping matching them produces magic. He’ll have them sing “Electric Feel” by MGMT.
The battle: Yet another solid performance. Jessica looks perfectly at home on that stage and is delivering her vocals with a nice touch of rasp. Nick is showing incredible range. Blake says he loves Nick’s voice and would go with him. Christina would go with Nick as well because of his great ending.
My pick: Nick’s the type of pop singer who could catch fire in this competition, so I’d go with him.
Pharrell’s pick: He awards the win to Nick.
The steal: Adam Levine swoops in and steals Jessica, saying he remembers her “so vividly” from the blind auditions.
Team Christina:
Kata Hay
Chelsea Gann
The background: Kata is the gal who moved to Nashville to pursue a music career. She’s released lots of music, but will be best remembered by Voice fans as the contestant who kissed Christina during the blind auditions. Chelsea is the daughter of a gospel singer hailing from a small town in Oklahoma. Christina will have them perform “I’m the Onnly One” by Melissa Etheridge.
The battle: Hey, we didn’t hear Chelsea’s blind audition, but she has an impressive growl to her voice. Meanwhile, Kata certainly arrives on stage with lots of attitude and personality, doesn’t she? But that did seem to affect her vocal. Chelsea showed more control throughout that performance. Adam and Pharrell says they would pick Chelsea because of her vocal strengths.
My pick: Kata. If she can harness that personality of those vocals, she could do really well. But she needs more control that she showed there.
The steal: There isn’t one. Chelsea is eliminated.
Team Adam:
Natalie Yacovazzi versus Nate Butler
The background: Nate is the guy who said he was bullied for liking music, until he wound up starring in something like seven straight high school musicals. Natalie is back after failing to turn a chair in Season 9. She sings with a popular Chicago event band. They’ll perform “Hollow” by Adam’s advisor, Tori Kelly.
The battle: Really strong opening by Nate. I don’t remember his voice being that impressive. For her part, Natalie delivered a couple of incredible vocal moments over the course of that performance. Both showed great stage presence, too, though Natalie still seemed to be holding back just a little. This is a really close call, which all three other coaches point out.
My pick: Nate. That was just a pitch-perfect vocal.
Adam’s pick: Adam declares Nate the winner.
The steal: There isn’t one, meaning Natalie is eliminated.
Team Pharrell:
Maya Smith
Hannah Huston
The background: Maya is the postal service worker who is trying to overcome shyness and make a career of singing. Hannah is the teacher who didn’t tell her students she was auditioning for The Voice. Of course, they found out anyway. Pharrell is going to have them sing “Elastic Heart” by Sia. Turns out these two are roommates, too. Oh, thanks, Pharrell, for giving us a new song for this battle — one that hasn’t been performed on those shows a million times.
The battle: Neither of these young ladies have a ton of experience. But you’d never know that from the performances they’re giving. The roommates clearly put in lots of work to pull off that performance. Both delivered some great vocal moments. And they’re getting well-deserved compliments from all the other coaches. That was billed as the performance of the night, and it wasn’t overbilled.
My pick: Maya showed a freedom on stage and has a spark that would give her a slight edge if I was making the call.
Pharrell’s pick: Pharrell declares Hannah the winner.
The steal: Yes, Maya is walking off the stage when Christina hits the steal button. But no sooner has Maya declared her love for Christina than Blake pushes his steal button. Blake says Maya looks and sounds like a star. Maya joins Team Christina.
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