Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Reba McEntire welcomes a singer to her team Monday night. Unfortunately, we didn’t even get to meet two of her singers. (NBC Photo)

The Voice introduced us to eight more talented singers who made Season 24 Monday night.

Nini Irs, Lila Forde, Jarae Womack and Brandon Montel all turned four chairs.

It’s just a shame the show struck a couple of big bum notes along the way.

First off, 10 singers actually turned chairs Monday night. But we never got to meet CORii or Crystal Nicole because their auditions were montaged.

Perhaps that’s because the show decided to give us full introductions to three artists who didn’t make the show.

I will never understand why The Voice spends airtime on singers who fail to turn chairs at the expense of singers who do.

And I will never understand why the show can’t at least put the entire performances online when a singer is montaged. Heck, the cameras were rolling when they performed.

But, hey, look at the bright side. We got to see Reba dish out tater tots to CORii and Crystal Nicole.

The Voice’s inability to learn from it’s past production mistakes is beyond infuriating.

Then there’s the obsession with Reba’s block. She finally used it, proclaiming “I’m no dummy.”

Sorry, but using your block on an artist who’s genre is so far removed from yours that you’re the least likely coach to be picked is the definition of dumb strategy.

Of course, the block is also dumb. It robs deserving artists — in this case, a four-chair turn artist — of a chance to work with a coach who might be his or her first choice.

And it’s a gimmick that draws attention away from the singers and puts it on the coaches, a persistent problem on this show.

Now that the rant’s over, on with the recap.

Oh, and I’ve watched Nini Iris’s performances from The X Factor in Georgia. She might be the Season 24 champ!

Follow the links to learn about music these singers have already released.

BEST OF THE NIGHT

1. Nini Iris, 27, Brooklyn, N.Y., “I See Red” by Everybody Love an Outlaw: Nini sounds like a pro from the opening note and has all four coaches facing her way before ever hitting the chorus. She quick the performer too. Niall calls it the best vocal of the day “with a shadow of doubt” and calls her a potential winner. Gwen called her performance incredible and called it a Grammys performance. She joined Team Niall.

2. Jarae Womack, 35, West Palm Beach, Fla., “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse: Jarae displayed a rich, powerful voice from the opening note. And she was only a couple of lines in when the chairs started turning. Until all four coaches were facing in her direction. Niall called it a standout performance. John loved what a soulful singer Jarae was and said he felt the drama in her performance. Gwen called it a really powerful, emotional performance. Jarae joined Team Legend.

ALSO MADE THE SHOW

Lila Forde, 24, Seattle, Wash., “Can’t Find My Way Home” by Blind Faith: Lila’s ethereal opening prompted almost immediate chair turns from Gwen Stefani and John Legend. The other coaches quickly followed giving Lila a four-chair turn. Niall compared her to Joni Mitchell. Gwen said Lila is the type of singer-songwriter America needs and called Lila her “dream Voice girl to work with.” John liked the control in her performance. Lila decided to join Team Legend.

Angelina Nazarian, 17, Ann Arbor, Mich., “The Trouble with Love Is” by Kelly Clarkson: Angelina’s soulful delivery prompted a quick chair turn from Niall. Reba followed midway through the performance. Angelina was solid throughout the song and deliverd a strong ending too. Niall loved the power in her vocals. Reba praised her performance at such a young age. Angelina opted to join Team Reba.

Tanner Massey, 19, Oklahoma City, Okla., “Before You Go” by Lewis Capaldi: Tanner delivers an excellent opening and almost had a chair turn from Gwen. A prolonged glory note enticed a chair turn from Reba. Gwen and Niall later followed. Gwen said she loves the tone in his voice. Niall said he sensed some nerves, but also thinks Tanner has tons of potential. Reba reminded Tanner she was the first to turn. Tanner joined Team Niall.

Brandon Montel, 29, Memphis, Tenn., “Hard Place” by H.E.R.: As soon as the song swelled, Reba turned her chair. All three other coaches later followed. But John won’t be an option because Reba blocked him. Niall loved his tone. Reba called him “so special” and said everything about his performance screamed block. Gwen liked his unique soulful tone. And Brandon choose to join Team Gwen, meaning Reba’s block didn’t really work.

Al Boogie, 37, Gonzales, La., “Pickup Man” by Joe Diffie: Al auditioned in Season 23 and failed to turn a chair. This time, he was near the end of the song when he earned a chair turn from Reba McEntire. Reba said she loves ’90s country music and Al represents that era of the genre well. Since she was the only coach to turn Al automatically joined her team.

Elizabeth Evans, 22, Nashville, Tenn., “All I Wanted” by Paramore: Elizabeth delivered a beautiful opening and got quick chair turns from John Legend and Reba McEntire as a result. Gwen loved the vocal power Elizabeth displayed. John Legend complimented her on her “cool” tone and said she has everything she needs to be a successful artist. Elizabeth opted to join Team Legend.

THE MONTAGED