Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The Voice introduced us to eight more Season 20 contestants on a female-heavy fifth audition episode Monday night.

Kelly Clarkson snared the night’s most popular performance, landing Anna Grace after she became just the fourth singer of Season 20 to turn all four coaches’ chairs.

The coaches will select their final team members next Monday.

Meanwhile, here’s a recap of Monday’s show, with my picks for the top performances of the night.

BEST OF THE NIGHT

Savanna Woods, 26, Standwood, Wash.
Audition song: “Zombie” by the Cranberries
Chair turns: Nick turned as soon as Savanna hit the chorus. Kelly joined him latee in the performance.
Feedback: Nick could tell from her performance that Savanna has something to say as an artist. John liked her confidence and the edge in her voice. Kelly said it sounded like Patty Griffin and Nirvana had a bady and “I really liked it in my head.” She also liked her confidence.
Her choice: Savanna joined Team Kelly, saying she loved being called “creepy,” which was part of her new coach’s critique.
Why: After watching five nights of American Idol auditions and four nights of Voice auditions, this is the one from Tuesday’s show that stood out to me. Savanna attacked that chorus with undeniable passion. And there was a nice edge to her performance. This is one of the Season 20 contestants I’ll be eager to hear post-show music from.

RUNNERS-UP

Savanna Chestnut, 25, Americus, Kansas
Audition song: “Hold Me Now” by The Thompson Twins
Chair turns: Savanna was near the end of the songwhen she enticed a chair turn from Blake Shelton.
Feedback: John said he loved her version of the song. Kelly called her voice breath-takingly beautiful though she didn’t turn. Blake loved the way she flipped the song and encouraged her to attack the competition with confidence.
Her choice: Savanna automatically became Team Blake. Being a country singer, I doubt she’s disappointed.
Why: How in the world was Savanna only a one-chair turn. Blame Blake Shelton, I suppose. Sometimes the coaches just figure a country artist is going to go Team Blake no matter what they say. Regardless, Savanna displayed an incredibly sweet tone I think I could listen to for a long time without tiring of it.

Lindsay Joan, 22, San Diego, Calif.
Audition song: “Nightmare” by Halsey
Chair turns: As Lindsay’s vocals soared, Nick and Blake turned midway through the performance.
Feedback: Kelly complimented her on delivering a huge pop vocal and liked the soulfulness and sultriness in her performance. Blake liked her charisma and said she could be unstoppable if she combines that with more confidence. Nick pledged to help her find that confidence.
Her choice: Lindsay opted to joined Team Nick.
Why: For someone who said she’s never felt more nervous in her life, Lindsay turned in a really impressive performance. And it got noticeably better once chairs turned, taking some of the pressure off. Her last 30 seconds of that cover were simply outstanding.

ALSO MADE THE SHOW

Anna Grace, 20, Milwaukee, Wisc.
Audition song: “My Future” by Billie Eilish
Chair turns: Anna was just a couple of lines into the performance when Kelly, Nick and John turned in rapid succession. Blake joined them near the end of the song, making Anna a four-chair turn.
Feedback: John loved the nuance in her performance. Kelly said she loves Anna’s voice and said she’s already thinking of songs Anna could perform on the show. Blake thought Anna did a nice job of straddling the line between staying true to Billie’s version and adding her own flavor. Nick called her one of the best voices the coaches have heard.
Her choice: Anna opted to join Team Kelly.

Rachel Mac, 15, Romeo, Mich.
Audition song: “Let Him Fly” by Patty Griffin
Chair turns: Nick turned just as she reached the chorus. And despite some big notes and a tender ending, no one else turned.
Feedback: Rachel was thrilled to wind up on The Voice, partly because she’s such a big fan of Blake Shelton. Heck, she did a report on him in fifth grade. Said Nick: “She reacted to you the way people usually react to me.”
Her choice: Rachel automatically joined Team Nick.

Rio Doyle, 16, Adrian, Mich.
Audition song: “When We Were Young” by Adele
Chair turn: A nice run at the end of the first line enticed a chair turn from John.
No one else turned.
Feedback: Nick called it an excellent performance. John wondered: “How am I the only one?” and thanked the other coaches for making it so easy for him. He called her song choice “a bold, risky move.” Kelly said she has an incredible gift.
Her choice: Rio automatically became Team Legend.

Jordan Matthew Young 34, Austin, Texas
Audition song: “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” by Keith Whitley
Chair turns: His solid country rock vocals prompted a chair turn from Blake midway through the song. Kelly and Nick eventually followed.
Feedback: Blake complimented him on his deep baritone voice. Kelly loved his vibe and the fact that Norman has a classic country sound. Nick said he thinks he and Norman could do something “disruptive” together.
His choice: Jordan opted to join Team Blake.

Zania Alaké, 34, Detroit, Mich.
Audition song: “Swwet Love” by Anita Baker
Chair turns: Zania’s smooth delivery prompted a quick chair turn from John. And as her vocals soared, she enticed a second chair turn from Kelly.
Feedback: Kelly called her voice classic and timeless, a voice that would have made her feel like an idiot if she didn’t turn. John called her performance “magical.”
Her choice: Zania joined Team Legend.