On the first night of “The Voice” Battle rounds, the coaches prepare their talent to perform at their best. Blake Shelton called it “a dog and pony show.”

A Textbook ‘Voice Battle:
T.J. Wilkins Vs. Biff Gore- TEAM USHER

Jill Scott was Usher’s adviser. There is a 20 year gap between T.J. and Biff. Usher chose R&B because they both love R&B music. “You guys are a complete contrast.” Scott said. Trying to choose between Biff and T.J. “is like choosing between air and water.” Usher said “Both of these guys have to be able to sing with conviction.”

Singing “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”

Host Carson Daly said it was a “textbook Voice battle.” Blake asked Biff who was doing high-kicks throughout the battle, “Where did you learn those kicks from?” Adam labeled one of Biff’s moves, “That’s “the Biff.” He was referring to when Biff squatted and rose-up.

Blake loved it and said, “That was great. That was pure entertainment.” Coach Usher said “you did everything perfect. You kept pushing each other to do better. It was wonderful.”

Battle Winner: T.J. Wilkins.
Steal: Biff Gore to Team Blake

Usher said he picked T.J. because he was relentless. “I want a fighter on my team” said Usher. As Biff was about to leave the stage, Blake pushed his button to steal him. Usher ran over and hugged Blake. “Man, did you see the room? You are a great entertainer.” Blake also said, “That guy is a once and a lifetime artist. Why wouldn’t I want the chance to mentor him?” Blake said he also wanted to work with Biff because of his high kicks.

 

The Young Country Battle:
Jake Worthington vs. Lexi Luca – TEAM BLAKE

The Band Perry are the advisers for Team Blake. “You guys are so good, I had to get all these mentors involved” Blake joked. Blake called it his “young country battle”. Jake is 17 years old and Lexi, a senior in high school, is also 17 years old.

Singing “It Goes Like This”

Usher told Lexi, “You have to develop fearlessness and every moment is about you. Jake, I was blown away. You possess the confidence.” Shakira said, “You have a lot of potential. Jake you have a nasal tone. don’t change is because it is so cool.”

Adam told the two young singers, “Your combined age is my age which is so awesome. Jake – you are going to go really far and I can see you taking this whole thing.” Coach Blake said, “Being able to contain that energy. That was amazing. Jake, you did great buddy. But you fumbled the lyrics at the top of the song. That stuff doesn’t slide.”

Battle Winner: Jake Worthington
Steal: None

 

Shakira’s Secret Weapon:
Dani Moz vs. DeShawn Washington – TEAM SHAKIRA

Miranda Lambert is the “secret weapon” adviser for Team Shakira. Dani works in public relations but believes in following her dream. DeShawn went to college for one semester then left to help his family financially. Shakira chose to pair the two because DeShawn is a pop artist. “Dani can hit the big notes with conviction” said Lambert. During rehearsal, they stepped on each other, and Shakira told them out-singing each other is not the thing to do.

Shakira said, “DeShawn is so special, so unique. This is going to be one of the most difficult battles.” The last piece of advice Shakira gave her battle duo was for DeShawn to be himself and for Dani to use her “chest voice”.

Adam “That was awesome. That was really good. You had a lot of great chemistry and great movement that won the audience.” Blake said, “Dani you did all the cool upper stuff that I expect you to. DeShawn really surprised me. I go with DeShawn for the shock value.”
Usher said, “Dani, I think you really understood the emotional need that the song required. DeShwan, you were a little out of your element, but big things come in small packages. I pick DeShawn.”

Shakira said she has a weakness for DeShawn however she thinks Dani has grown so much and see a fire in her. Shakira picked Dani because she said she thinks she can do more with her.

Battle Winner: Dani Moz
Steal: None
Shakira said she was upset that no one stole DeShawn Usher said, “I have someone on my team that is so similar (to DeShawn), I want to hold my steal for the undeniable”.

 

Three Times So Good!
Kat Perkins vs. Patrick Thomson – TEAM ADAM

His adviser is Aloe Blacc
Kat is a former rocker turned nanny. She had three coaches turn their chairs for her. Patrick is from a musical family that has inspired his career goals. He got two coaches to turn for him during his blind audition.

They are singing a song performed by Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks. Adam said he likes the fact that it’s classic duet. Aloe said to Kat “right now, you can get the notes wrong, but let us hear it so we can tell you what you’re doing wrong.” He said Patrick’s voice is like a “bear”.

Singing “Whenever I Call You Friend”

Blake commented on the lyric “I know forever we’ll be doing it.” Then said, “It’s an interesting pairing of you two. For this type of song, Kat had more of a presence there. She was hitting the notes with ease.” Usher said he wasn’t familiar with the song, “In my opinion it took me a minute to warm up to the song and by the time you hit the bridge I was feeling it.”

Shakira said, “I found your delivery Kat really great. Patrick you have one of those voices that seems timeless to me.” She said she’d pick Patrick as the winner of the battle.

Coach Adam said, “I am so impressed the way you took the notes I gave you and really made them work. That is such a huge thing to take those notes and grow from them. The minute that I heard you sing together, I thought a good idea but a bad idea for me because I have to make a decision.”

Battle Winner: Kat Perkins
Steal:  Patrick Thomson to Team Shakira
Adam said “Kat demands a room very strongly and I had to hold on to her.” Shakira said she decided to steal Patrick for three reasons- because he’s so good!

 

This Battle Will Be Epic!
Paula DeAnda Vs. Sisaundra Lewis – TEAM BLAKE

Sisaundra is a single mother of three and a former back-up singer for Celine Dion. Paula is out to get her second chance in the music industry as well and once had a recording contract.

Blake said about the battle pairing, “This pairing already breaks my heart.” He said this battle will be “epic”. Blake chose the song “Do What U Want” by Lady Gaga and Christina Aguliera. He said he figured that the two ladies could “do this.”

“Neither one of you have a weakness I feel, just do what you did and make it hard for me” Blake told the two ladies during their second rehearsal. Blake said, “Paula is going to have to play it up a bit. Sisaundra is going to have to play it down a little bit.”

Singing “Do What U Want”

Usher responded to the battle with, “I felt like you completely drove each other to give great performances in both directions. Sisaundra, what an incredible talent.”

Shakira said, “Sisaundra, that high note was incredible and you reserved it for the right moment.” Adam told Blake, “They’re on your team! That’s so bazaar!” Blake said, “One of my favorite things about the high note is that you picked that note and that was amazing. You (Usher) mentioned a pitch thing, if it’s not re-occurring I don’t catch it,” and told Paula that she fell out of the pocket and pushed Sisaundra back a little. Unfortunately, Paula left the stage with her head held down as if she had just lost a real physical boxing match.

Battle Winner: Sisaundra Lewis
Steal: None

 

Pulling Out the Rihanna Card!
Jake Barker vs Stevie Jo – TEAM USHER

Bartender Jake performed for the first time ever on “The Voice”. He got three coaches to turn their chairs. Stevie Jo is attending college on a theater scholarship. He said he gravitated towards soul music. Stevie Jo came from metal and transitioned into R&B. Jake was excited to be mentored by Jill Scott and Usher.

Usher said, “I need them to stretch out of their own comfort zone,” which is why he gave them Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” song to battle with. “Jake has a Justin Timberlake thing going on. Stevie Jo has so much passion,” said Scott about the two.

Singing “Higher Love”

Shakira said, “you guys just drew us in. It was just so well executed.” She said she’d pick Jake. Adam said, “I thought it was so excellent. Here’s the good news, you’re both going to make it because whoever he (Usher) doesn’t take, I’m going to.” Adam decided to keep quiet about whom he thought won the battle because he is preparing to steal.

Blake said, “I never saw a more evenly matched battle.” He said he’d go with Jake. Usher said, “Jake this was your first time on the big stage. And Stevie, no one hit their button but me.” Usher said in all of his time on “the Voice” picking a winner has never been this hard.

Battle Winner: Stevie Jo
Steal: Jake Barker to Team Adam
Adam and Shakira both hit their buttons to steal Jake. Then Blake hit his button while Adam was arguing with Shakira on who hit their button first. Jake said “thanks for keeping me another day.” Shakira bribed Jake by telling him she can introduce him to Rihanna. It didn’t work because Jake went with Team Adam.

Adam said he has big plans for Jake. Adam told Jake that there’s no one on his team that is like Jake and he would have had a heart-attack if he had chosen Blake!

 

MISSED IT OR JUST WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN?

Watch THE VOICE season 6 episode 7 “The Battles Premiere” first aired by NBC on Monday, March 17, 2014. This full episode is now available at HOLLYWOOD JUNKET until 06/19/14 courtesy of NBC. ENJOY!