Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The Voice will introduce us to 12 more singers tonight.

And, remember, so far, only five singers have turn four chairs in Season 10 as the coaches seem to be much more selective.

In Season 9, a record 14 singers turned four chairs.

It’s time to meet the new singers …

1. Tamar Davis, 35, Houston, Texas: At 11 years old, she joined group calls Girls’ Time, which led to her first recording experience. She said her parents took her out of the group, which represented the origin of Destiny’s Child. She eventually wound up being a member of Prince’s house band. Tamar said she’s had many brushes with success, but now she’s ready to go to the next level. She’ll perform “Chain of Fools.” And her powerful vocals entice an early chair turn from Christina. Blake turns on a performance ending glory note. Christina says it’s time Tamar to step out of the background; she also complimented Tamar on having her “ultimate dream hair.” Blake reminds Tamar that he guided a background singer named Jermaine Paul to The Voice title. Tamar joins Team Christina.

2. Jessica Crosbie, 21, Atlanta, Ga.: She started playing guitar and writing music at 15, but caught the music bug at an open mic night. She decided to come to the U.S. from England to pursue music. Jessica will audition with “Viva la vida” by Coldplay, but she says she’s changed the arrangement. And it’s actually, a very interesting and lovely arrangement. Jessica is still singing the first verse when Christina and Pharrell turn their chairs. Adam turns his chair as well. Christina calls her “a great singer.” Jessica decides to join Team Pharrell.

3. Justin Whisnant, 28, Bearden, Okla.: He says he started singing in grade school. He wound up working in the oil fields until his boss gave him an ultimatum: work or music. He now plays in a country band. He’ll sing “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” a country song, but says he takes pride in his musical versatility. Hey, this guy is a really solid country singer. Adam turns around early in the performance. Of course, Blake eventually joins him, prompting a response of anguish from Adam. Adam says he thought Justin was “ridiculously good.” Blake talks about a musical relationship that could last beyond the show. And Justin joins Team Blake.

Jackie Lipson auditions with “Ex’s and Ohs” but doesn’t get a chair to turn.

4. Daniel Passino, 21, New Boston, Mich.: He says his music career started when he started playing instruments in middle school. Now he says he’s been building himself to do something like The Voice for the past seven years. He’ll audition with “Marvin Gaye.” Hey, Daniel has a very nice voice. And he gets an early chair turn from Christina. Nice ending, too. And that prompted Blake to turn. Blake said the big falsetto note at the end is what prompted him to spin his chair. Daniel joins Team Christina.

5. Owen Danoff, 25, New York: Owen says he started singing when he was about 10. Wow, and his dad was part of the band that recorded “Afternoon Delight.” Owen is going to sing “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” for his audition. This guy has some of my all-time favorite pre-show music for a Voice contestant. And Owen’s superb vocal gets nearly simultaneous chair turns from Adam, Pharrell and Christina. And near the end of the song, Blake turns as well. Adam likes Owen’s musical identity. Owen gets high praise from the other coaches as well. Owen joins Team Adam.

6. Maya Smith, 31, Los Angeles, Calif.: She’s spent the past 10 years working for the postal service. Her mother says it’s not her true calling; music is. She’ll sing “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man.” Her soulful vocals prompt an early chair turn from Pharrell. Hey, Maya just turned in a very nice audition. And it prompts a chair turn from Christina as well. Christina compliments Maya on “a gorgeous voice.” She says she hears some Beyonce in Maya. Pharrell praises her control and range. Maya opts to become a member of Team Pharrell.

7. Brittney Lawrence, 21, Jacksonville, Fla.: She says she’s always had a love of performing. She works for a texbook company, she’s a cheerleading coach and she’s studying to become a teacher. She’ll audition with “Warrior” by Demi Lovato. She says she’s tried out for The Voice seven times. The first time Brittney hits a big note, Christina turns around. Blake also turns at the last moment. Christina said she loved what she heard. Brittney opts to become a member of Team Blake.

Three singers make it in a montage package.

8. Lilly Green sings “Songbird” and lands on Team Adam.
9. Teresa Guidry sings “Girl Crush” and picks Team Blake over Team Adam.
10. Chelsea Gann sings “Wild Angels” and lands on Team Christina.

11. Matt Tedder, 20, Weatherford, Texas: He fell in love with electric guitar as a youngster, but didn’t feel comfortable singing until he was in his teens. After high school, he moved to Nashville where he’s lived for the last three years, struggling to make it as a musician. He’ll sing “Hoochie, Coochie Man” because he loves the blues so much. Adam turns before he hits the chorus. Surprisingly, no one else turns around, meaning Matt gets a spot on Team Adam. Adam says he was singing “beautifully” at the same time he did a fine job of playing slide guitar.

12. Joe Maye, 24, Baltimore, Md.: He’s another artist who auditioned in Season 9 and is now back. He shows up at the Season 10 auditions with Mark Hood and Ellie Lawrence, standouts from Season 9. He’s singing “I Put a Spell on You” and starts out a cappella. That gets a chair turn from Christina. Once again, Blake turns late in the performance. Joe goes wild in triumph after turning two chairs. Blake says Joe put a spell on him. Christina mentions how much she loves the song, so she’s going to sing the song with Joe. I’m pretty sure that sealed the deal for Christina. Yep, Joe decides to join Christina.