Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Sawyer Fredericks seems to have the inside track on the Season 8 title on The Voice.

But at least two other singers will join him in the show’s finale in a couple of weeks.

And the scramble for those positions should be very interesting.

Since the finals began, Kimberly Nichole, Megan Linsey, Koryn Hawthorne and Joshua Davis have each earned bonus points by landing in the Top 10 on iTunes.

The only remaining contestant who hasn’t done so is India Carney, one of the best pure singers still in the competition.

Soon, hopefully tonight, the show will reveal its format for the Season 8 finale.

You’ll recall Season 7 included four finalists, one of who was a wild card selection by viewers.

In seasons three through six, only three singers competed for The Voice title.

And we’re getting right down to it, because everyone is performing twice tonight, including one song dedicated to their moms.

Round 1

1. India Carney (Team Christina): She’s dedicating the song “Glory” to her mother. And Christina is impressed with what India is doing with the song during rehearsals, saying she’s singing from “a deeper place in her soul.” There’s that splendid voice I was writing about earlier. And that was a flat-out splendid performance. I’m not sure she captured a Voice moment that singers are always in search of, but that was very good. Particularly the last 45 seconds or so. Pharrell compliments her on her comeback. Adam says she did a great job. Blake calls it a great performance of a great song. Christina loves the way she handled the lyrics that were rapped in the original. Grade: B+

2. Joshua Davis (Team Adam): He’ll sing U2’s “Desire.” Adam likes the song choice because it will give Joshua a chance to “show some flair.” Most of his performances — especially his better performances — have been more subdued. And Joshua has lots of company on stage, including a band, a horn section and a trio of background singers. Sometimes that spells trouble on The Voice because the singer gets lost in the sound mix. And it was a problem again early in this performance. But halfway thorugh, the horn section quiets down, Joshua steps out front and takes command. That was certainly his most exhuberant performance to date. Pharrell calls it one of his best performances. Adam liked the way he focused on the performance, not the competition. Grade: B

3. Koryn Hawthorne (Team Pharrell): She’s dedicating REM’s “Everybody Hurts” to her mom, who she says has overcome lots of obstacles. I’m expecting a very emotional perforance from Koryn. There’s that emotion I was talking about. Koryn gets so invested in what she’s singing, she visibly trembles while performing. I like the fact that she’s pretty much alone on stage, because it puts all of the focus on her and that emotion. Koryn’s vocals wavered in a spot or two, and she seemed to be shouting as much as singing in a couple of other spots, but the passion in that performance was undeniable. Blake loves her investment whatever she’s singing. Pharrell loved her inspirational performance. Grade: B–

4. Kimberly Nichole (Team Christina): Interesting song choice for Kimberly. She’s decided to sing Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’,” which isn’t the most dynamic song in the world. Here’s betting Kimberly makes it more so. This is Kimberly’s dedication to her mom. Hmm, through the first verse and first run-through of the chorus, Kimberly pretty much sticks to the Petty script, which makes for one of her less energetic performances. Okay, Kimberly kicks up the energy level for the finals minute of so, throwing in some of her gospel influences as the song draws to a close. Adam says Kimberly can sing anything. Christina likes the fun she had with the song. Grade: B+

5. Meghan Linsey (Team Blake): “She’ll sing “Steamroller Blues” by James Taylor, which was her big tip song when she started performing around Nashville as a soloist. I’m figuring that’s in her post-Steel Magnolia days. Dang, the stylists have Meghan looking oh-so-classy for this number. Well, you aren’t going to have any trouble hearing Meghan over the band. She’s ripping into this vocal. Wow, will Meghan been too hoarse to sing again after that? That was certainly the night’s most energetic performance to date. Christina calls it “crazy great” and a “fantastic job.” Blake says if that song was a ketchup packet, she stomped on it and sprayed the ketchup all over everyone’s face. Grade: A–

6. Sawyer Fredericks (Team Pharrell): He will sing “Shine On.” It’s a song from his childhood, representing the family’s decision to step out of the ratrace and move to a farm when they hadn’t even owned a chicken to that point. Sawyer’s voice is growing on me, and sounds particularly good on this sensitive vocal. For 16, he does come across as a really old soul. There’s another iTunes hit. I can guarantee it. That was very simple and very, very good. Adam calls it one of his favorite performances of the night and calls him “unbelievable.” Blake calls him “so real and powerful.” Pharrell is lobbying for votes for Sawyer again. Not sure he has to. Grade: A–

Round 2

1. Kimberly Nichole (Team Christina): Looking for a rock moment, the Rock Ballerina is taking on Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana.” Check out Kimberly’s outfit. She looks like a rock star. Apparently, this is a number Kimberly has performed many times with her band. Another oustanding vocal from Kimberly, who belts out a final glory note while practically bending completely over on stage. The Voice sure had the fog machines turned on full blast. There were a couple of moments when Kimberly nearly disappeared from view. Christina calls her a rock star. Pharrell compliments her for capturing her “rock moment.” Grade: B+

2. Joshua Davis (Team Adam): He’s singing “In My Life” and dedicating the song to his wife. She recalls that she met him when he was singing on a street corner in the town where they went to college. Unfortunately for Joshua, this is not working nearly as well as “Fields of Gold” did a week ago. It’s a rather sleepy performance on a night when there’s been very little sleepy about the performances that came before this one. Fine vocal. Just not the standout performance Joshua needed at this point. Blake called it a great performance. Adam, upset over the crowd’s off-rhythm clapping, calls Joshua “a class act” and calls his performance “flawless.” Grade: C+

3. Koryn Hawthorne (Team Pharrell): My, my, Koryn is taking on “Dream On,” saying she’s living the dream right now on The Voice. This is certainly an unexpected song choice. Singing Aerosmith has worked very well for singing show contestants in the past. Let’s see how it works for Koryn. Well, the 17-year-old certainly rocked it out. If she performed an entire show with the intensity she’s shown on her songs tonight, she would be absolutely drained at the end of the night. And she showed a ton of stage presence for as young as she is. My only complaint: She cut the classic shriek short and the number seemed to come to an abrupt end. Christina also wanted more of the shriek; Pharrell says she inspired everyone to dream harder. Grade: B

4. India Carney (Team Christina): India indicates she squeaked into tonight’s show by two — just two — instant save votes. Is that true? If so, wow. She’ll perform Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down.” India is going to deliver another excellent vocal, but the performance seemed just a tad disjointed and you have to wonder if it was enough given the fact that she finished in the bottom three last week. She doesn’t seem to make as much of an emotional connection with fans as some of the contestants. But, then again, what do I know? Adam calls it her best performance on the show and one that should put her in front-runner status. Christina also loved the performance. Grade: B

5. Sawyer Fredericks (Team Pharrell): Look at this, Sawyer is going upbeat, singing “Take Me to the River.” He’s also putting down the guitar. Not sure he’s done that yet. Pharrell has surrounded him with eight very distracting female dancers dressed in black and white checks. Sawyer probably had to do something like this — a song that’s more fun-loving. And he’s working the stage more than he normally does. But I’m not sure this is his forte. It’ll be interesting to see how that does on iTunes. Pharrell likes the way he worked the stage. Blake says it doesn’t matter what Pharrell surrounds him with; all Sawyer has to do is sing and magic happens. Not sure that was magic, though;. Grade: B–

6. Meghan Linsey (Team Blake): She’ll sing her mom’s favorite song, “Amazing Grace.” Oh, my, brilliant song choice. She’ll do the first verse a cappella. Prediction: This will be special. That first verse sure was. Then the organ comes in. And Meghan’s voice soars. She certainly closed the show in amazing fashion. Christina wonders if Blake just won The Voice again (probably not — remember a guy named Sawyer). Blake declares: “There’s a new sheriff in town.” (Once again, remember Sawyer). But for one night, Meghan was the most impressive voice on The Voice. Grade: A