Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The Top 13 take the stage tonight knowing this: Tomorrow night, two more singers head home.

Meanwhile, John Legend appeared to have one of the strongest teams heading into this week’s finals.

Having looked at tonight’s song choices, I’m already predicting his team will do very well this week.

This is Dedication Week on The Voice, which means each contestant will dedicate their performance to someone special.

Time for the song by song grades.

See also …
Ranking the Top 13
Who’s surging on social media
How to vote

Joana Martinez (Team Gwen): “Get On Your Feet” by Gloria Estefan — She’s dedicating her performance to her hometown of Miami and thinks it’s the perfect song because it reflects the upbeat vibe there and features a touch of her Latin culture. Joana’s showing off nice stage presence on this and working the crowd more than she has in the past. But I fear her vocal is being affected by all the bouncing around. At some points, this is coming off as pretty shouty. At others, she seems a bit out of breath. Gwen, however, says she pulled it off and calls it incredible. Grade: C

Ricky Duran (Team Blake): “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne — Ricky is dedicating this to his girlfriend. We find out for the first time that she was rushed to the hospital with a possible stroke the night before Ricky’s blind audition. Two lines in, this is better than his John Mellencamp cover from last week. We got more emotion and more of what makes Ricky unique as an artist with that performance. Remember, Ricky is one of the four-chair turns from the blinds. Blake calls it a solid, relatable performance. Grade: B+

Max Boyle (Team Kelly): “Unaware” by Allen Stone — He’s dedicated the song to his family, specifically his niece and nephew. As the youngest of six, Max says he never got to be a big brother. They give him a chance to do that. Max reminds us of his great range on the very first line. And Max continued to do that throughout that performance, then delivered a nice glory note at the end. John called it exciting to watch. Kelly likes his vocal versatility. I was not a big fan of that vocal. Grade: C+

Myracle Holloway (Team Gwen): “I’m Your Baby, Tonight” by Whitney Houston — She’s dedicating this song to the grandmother who helped raise her when her mother couldn’t. I like Myracle best when she’s serving up that vulnerable rasp. Safe to say, we won’t be hearing that on this song. After what I thought was a bit of a rough start, Myracle delivered some impressive ab libs midway through that performance. But things got real rough when she joined the background singers. Not sure that’s the way it was designed. Gwen, however, calls every moment perfect and incredible. Grade: C

Will Breman (Team Legend): “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz — He’s dedicated this to his mother, who was his “rock” when he was being bullied and diagnosed with Asperger’s while in school. This will be interesting because Will is best known for his stage presence. This calls for less jumping around and more emotion. He starts wonderfully. Well, he still found a way to run around on stage, didn’t he. He sounds as though his voice is about shot when he pushes for those big notes. Liked the emotion / enthusiasm / connection, though. Blake predicts voters will make him sae tomorrow night. Grade: C+

Kat Hammock (Team Blake): “Danny Boy” (traditional Irish ballad) — She’s dedicating this to his grandfather. Her family used to gather around the piano and sing this song. It was also performed at all four of her grandparents’ funerals. Wow, really lovely opening by Kat. This is a really brave song choice. I’ll be interested to see how it does on Apple Music. For my money, that’s one of the better vocals we’ve heard so far tonight. Heartfelt too. Blake calls her one of the most important artists he’s worked with one the show. Grade: B

Katie Kadan (Team Legend): “I’m Going Down” by Mary J. Blige — She’s dedicating this performance to all the singles ladies who have had their hearts broken. So, we go from the most tender voice on the show to the biggest. Katie’s delivering a sassy performance. I loved her performance last week. This is reminding me of her knockout round effort, which was more vocal fireworks than emotion. That said, it’d be an absolute crime is she doesn’t advance tomorow night. John calls it the best performance of the season so far. Grade: A–

Cali Wilson (Team Blake): “Butterflies” by Kacey Musgraves — She’s dedicating this to her girlfriend and partner, a woman she met at her very first show in Nashville. You knew someone on Team Blake would go country this week, right? Really nice opening, but that chorus … hmm, not sure it’s the greatest fit for Cali’s voice. Really liked the tender ending though. Gwen called it “so beautiful.” Blake called it a “great performance.” Grade: B–

Shane Q (Team Kelly): “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts — Shane’s dedicating the song to his mom. This also marks the third time he’s gone country though he doesn’t consider himself a country singer. He sounded a bit nervous at the start of that performance. Later he goes for a couple of glory notes. I’m not sure he hit them perfectly. His previous two country vocal were better. Blake calls him “incredible.” Kelly liked the way he opened his eyes and connected with the audience. Grade: C

Hello Sunday (Team Kelly): “Mama Knows Best” by Jesie J. — They’re dedicating this to their parents. Really impressive, sassy opening from these two 14-year-olds. And you have to admire their stage presence. I mean, for just 14. That said, there was still too much shouting — rather than singing — going on. But that performance sure didn’t lack for charisma or energy, did it? John calls it far and away their best performance. Kelly says “they’re so good. Grade: B

Marybeth Byrd (Team Legend): “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill — She’s dedicating this to her grandfather, who recently passed away. Marybeth says this is a song she used to sing with her grandfather. My guess is this will be one of the favorites on Apple Music tonight. That near spoken line, complete with the break in Marybeth’s voice was really special. Marybeth broke down and barely got out the last couple of words … but she did. And that was my favorite performance of the night. And what a dedication night is supposed to be about. Grade: A

Jake Hoot (Team Kelly): “Danny’s Song” by Loggins and Messina — He’s dedicating this performance to his daughter. Jake and her mother are divorced, but Jake says she’s handled it well. This is another of the songs that will do very well on Apple Music. It’s well suited to Jake’s deep, powerful country vocals after what I consider a bit of a song choice misstep last week. That was a solid country vocal. I won’t be surprised if one-chair turn Jake winds up in the finals. Gwen called it “magical.” Kelly says Jake sounds like the music she grew up on. Grade: B

Rose Short (Team Gwen): “I Turn to You” by Christina Aguilera — Rose is dedicating her performance to her coach, Gwen, for helping her believe in herself. I don’t think there’s any doubt Rose is one of the best voices on Season 17. I actually prefer when she goes a bit more upbeat than this and delivers fire in terms of stage presence and vocals. But she certainly delivered the latter with that performance, which should certainly be enough to get her into the Top 11. Grade: B+