Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Syd Millevoi listens to the coaches’ feedback on The Voice (NBC Photo)

The Voice introduced viewers to the final 10 artists who round out Season 29 Monday night.

Two singers — Ashley Marina and Mikenley Brown — turned all three chairs. John Legend landed Ashley; Kelly Clarkson lured Mikenley Brown to her team.

That left both Kelly and Adam Levine with three triple-chair turn artists on their team.

Kelly won the show’s triple-chair turn challenge based on the number of two-chair turns she won.

That gives her a super steal in the next phase of the show — the battle round that will begin next week.

Here’s a recap of Monday’s show. As always, follow the links for more on the singers and music they’ve released.

See also …
Song by song grades from the first night of auditions
Song by song grades from the second night of auditions

BEST OF THE NIGHT

Sydney Millevoi, 23, Secaucus, N.J., “Mamma Knows Best” by Jessie J.: Syd’s big opening prompted almost immediate chairs turns from Adam Levine and John Legend. Syd continued to deliver a powerhouse vocal and looks oh, so comfortable on stage, belting out big note after big note. That was a pretty remarkable vocal with a bit of growl, lots of range and tons of power. Adam asks: “Did you just win The Voice?” Kelly’s was mad because her team is already full. Adam said Syd’s vocal pierced the audience and “shook us all to our core.” He praised her combination of soul, urgency and passion. John said the vocal left him in awe and asked Syd to take the last spot on his team. He said she has the potential to win the show. Syd picked Team Legend, completely his team. Grade: A+

Jared Shoemaker, 32, Richmond, Kent., “I Never Lie” by Zach Top: He served in the U.S. Navy and started singing to keep his spirits up. Now he’s a full-time artist. Wow, Jared, immediately shows off a great country tone. And he hasn’t even hit the chorus when he gets a chair turn from Adam and the very last spot on Season 29. That was a very, very solid performance from Jared. Well done. Adam said he loves the subtle simplicity of Jared’s voice. John said he definitely would have pushed if he had a spot on his team. Grade: B+

Mikenley Brown, 19, New Castle, Indiana, “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry: She’s slowing down the song, quite impressively. And that prompts very early chair turns from Adam Levine and John Legend. When Mikenley hits the chorus she gets a chair turn from Kelly Clarkson as well. Nice version of the song. Adam loved her tasteful vesion of the song. Kelly called her tone “incredible” and said she doesn’t have anyone on her team like Mikenley. John called her performance “so cool” and said he believes she can go far on the show. Mikenley decided to join Team Kelly. Grade: B

KJ Willis, 35, Memphis, Tenn., “Roni” by Bobby Brown: KJ delivers a smooth R&B vocal, earning a quick chair turn from John Legend. Midway through the performance, Kelly Clarkson turned as well. Kelly loved the passion in his performance and how comfortable he was on stage. John called his tone “impeccable” and says he’ll do well on the competition. KJ joins Team Legend. Grade: B–

Grace Humphries, 18, Austin, Texas, “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell: She says she’s an old soul, nicknamed Grandma Grace. She has a lovely soft tone. And it prompted a quick chair turn from John Legend. Not sure, but that chair turn might have thrown Grace off for a moment. John wound up being the only coach to turn. John loved her tone and her vibe and says he thinks Grace will be a great singer to coach. Grade: B–

Houston Kelly, Memphis, Tenn., “Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohn: Houston shows off a nice deep country tone, sitting behind the keys. He’s got some grit in that voice too and appears to be a fun performer. Not sure what took so long, but Kelly Clarkson turned at the last second. Kelly seems to imply that was her strategy, to ensure she didn’t have to fight the other coaches for Houston. She calls him “so talented” and a “great solid country singer.” Grade: B

Drew Russell, 32, Los Angeles, “Blue Bayou” by Linda Rondstadt: Surprised this song isn’t covered more often on singing shows. Linda impressive tone and control prompt a chair turn from Adam Levine. Drew completes a solid performance, but can’t entice a chair turn from John Legend, the only other coach with a spot remaining. Grade: B

Aziz Guerra, 20, El Paso, Texas, “El Triste” by José José: Aziz has a really nice deep voice. He’s performing the entire song in Spanish. He has vocal firepower to spare and hits an very impressive high note near the end of the song. Adam Levine turned, but none of the other coaches did. Kelly said it was beautifully done. Grade B–

MONTAGED, BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Natasha Blaine, 27, Seattle, Wash., “Kiss of Life” by Sade: What the hell? The Voice only has 30 singers in Season 29 and they still have to montage someone’s performance. After showing up full clips of Mariette Gevorgian, Daniel Sovich and Jason Farol, who didn’t turn chairs. John Legend was the only coach to turn for a performance by Natasha that we saw only a few seconds of. He complimented Natasha’s smooth, buttery tone. Too little aired to grade.