The Voice Blind Auditions Continue … Week 2

Last week, The Voice had a very good premiere week with some insane talent, a lot of personality and some good clean ribbing from all the judges as they fought for the artists they felt strongly they wanted on their teams. In the end, Adam and Blake ended the premiere week with 5 artists each, CeeLo had 4 for his team and Christina came out with 7 artists which make up almost half of her team so far. As I stated in my previous recap, there was a lot of amazing talent in the premier week, but I think there is much much more ahead… I don’t believe we have seen the best on The Voice yet.

The opening segment introducing the judges was quite comical… we seen Blake get out of his car holding his ACM Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, like he didn’t realize he had it in his hand… but pretty sure it’s to rub it in with the other judges… also CeeLo saying goodbye to last year’s star of The Voice, his cat… which has been replaced this year by his bird (I might add that his bird is PINK!!!) and eventually Blake and Adam hug it out as they start the blind auditions.

And on to this week’s blind auditions…

Melanie Martinez, 17, Balwin, NY – Melanie has a passion for photography, which stems from childhood where she was the one that always looked different, so her photographs reflect that. She describes her photos as conceptual art and from the ones we are shown, they are pretty unique and really good. She really kind of reminds me of a young Lady Gaga, in her looks and her visions with her photos. She sings her own version of ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears with her guitar and a tambourine at her feet! Blake and Adam push their buttons by the second verse… CeeLo eventually turns too. The judges say she had a little Bjork and so many other influences in her voice… but that she was unique just being her. She chooses to join Team Adam. Follow Melanie on Twitter @MelanieLBBH

Brian Scartocci, 26, Austin, TX – Brian met ex-wife in high school, but eventually realized just how young they were when they married & in 2010, their marriage was crumbling and found himself becoming a single father. He tried to focus on his singing, but singing was not paying the bills. He sings ‘Isn’t She Lovely‘ by Stevie Wonder… He’s got a nice balance of high pitches and low scratchy tones to his voice, in my opinion. Adam, CeeLo and Blake all push their buttons together. As the judges argue over how he should join their team, we see a fun interaction between Blake and Adam as they solidify their blossoming bromance! After stretching it out over a commercial break, and stating that he came into this thinking he wanted CeeLo, he picks Adam as his coach. Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianScartocci

Beat Frequency, Vancouver, WA – Shawn, 35 and Natasha, 28, met in church, and spent their first date in the studio which both agree it was love at first sight. They have both given up a home, creating a family together and more because this is what they’ve been working for. They sing ‘E.T.‘ by Katy Perry… Personally, she started out very pitchy, and it didn’t get much better as a duo. But Christina pushes her button as soon as she hears him enter the song, then knowing it’s a duo. None of the other coaches even tease their buttons, but claim they are the “best duo so far”, which I thought the mother/daughter duo was much better… I’m left wondering how confident Christina feels now in this choice after hearing the duo through the whole song since she pushed her button so quickly? They will join #TeamXtina Follow Shawn on Twitter at @ShawnRLewis and Natasha @Neuschwander, or follow the duo @BeatFreq

Liz Davis, 25, Madison, MS – Liz claims she’s all country… she likes fishing, likes to jump on 4-wheeler for no reason, as country as country gets. At 19, she dropped out of college, moved to Nashville and got into the music scene while working retail. Even though she faced a lot of rejection, she is still determined to make it. For her auditions she sings ‘Here for the Party’ by Gretchen Wilson… Adam and Christina turn quickly, Blake finally presses his button at the last minute, which is odd since this his really in genre and he leans towards these type of artists, not just because she’s country, she just sounded like what we’ve seen Blake get excited for previously. But then he pulls out his ACM Award to entice her to his team… and of course she ends up picking Blake for he coach.  Follow Liz on Twitter @LizDavisMusic

JR Aquino, 24, Anchorage, AK – JR tells us that the music scene in Alaska is very small so it’s hard to be heard there, so he discovered YouTube. Through YouTube, he’s gained a huge fan base, and has over 45 million views and in the top 100 subscribed musicians in the world, and as of this airing, was just below Green Day at #84, even above KatyPerryVEVO! He wants to do bigger and better things… and he wants to be The Voice. He sings ‘Just The Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars… Christina and Adam are the first to turn, with CeeLo pushing his button literally on the last note. He seems pretty good, but I do hear some very pitchy parts. He picks Team CeeLo, and I agree… seems like a good match for him! Follow JR on Twitter @JRAquino

Nicholas David, 31, Eagan, MN – After college, Nicholas joined The Outlaw country band, which they were known for their drinking and partying. He found he was lost and self-medicating with booze and before he knew it, he was 300 lbs. When he met his now fiancé, she was coming out of a darkness herself and they helped each other together come out of it. They had a son and that turned his life around. He sings his own arrangement of ‘Stand By Me’ by Ben E. King… He’s got a lot of soul in his voice and control. CeeLo turns quickly and Blake teases to push his but in the end, does not push his button. The judges all agree he kinda of had an Aaron Neville sound to his voice. CeeLo is happy to have this addition to his team. His bird agrees! Follow Nicholas on Twitter @TheFeelin

Alessandra Guercio, 17, Brooklyn, NY – Alessandra attends LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, which is known for being the “Fame” high school from the movie of the same name. In school, they perform every day along with their academics. Her family is so supportive, even her little brother that gives her advice to be proud for even getting this opportunity to just sing for The Voice!! She sings ‘The Climb’ by Miley Cyrus… I do like her, but hate that she’s singing a rushed version of the song. Adam turns even before the chorus. CeeLo turns towards the end. I really wanted to see Christina turn, I feel she would be a great fit for her guiding her with her own experiences of starting so young. She seems a little star struck… and picks Adam for her coach, can you blame her?! Follow Alessandra on Twitter @A_Guercio

Adanna Duru, 15 – (Not featured) This high school junior has a passion for philanthropy. Not only is she class president, but she also started a club at school to help raise awareness for sex trafficking in third world countries. Adanna does a little bit of everything – from enjoying volleyball and track and field, to playing the guitar and piano and singing, to mentoring teens, she always reaches for the stars! Adanna sang ‘Edge of Glory‘ by Laday Gaga & joins Team Adam. Follow Adanna on Twitter @AdannaDuru

Kelly Crapa, 15 – (Not featured) A country girl from New Fairfield, CT, Kelly was inspired to start singing by Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and her coach, Blake Shelton. At only 15 years old, she has a passion for charity work, volunteering with Relay for Life and the Wounded Warriors Project and would like to someday work with special needs children. Kelly is learning to play the guitar and enjoys playing basketball and field hockey. Kelly sings ‘Sparks Fly‘ by Taylor Swift and joins Team Blake. Follow Kelly on Twitter @KellyCrapa

Paulina, 16 – (Not featured) All 16 years of Paulina’s young life have been devoted to making it big as an entertainer. The self-described acoustic pop vocalist’s YouTube videos have logged nearly 26 million views, but she hopes The Voice will be her big break. Paulina is well versed in guitar and piano, and enjoys kickboxing to stay active. Paulina sang ‘You Make Me Feel‘ by Cobra Starship and joined Team Christina. Follow Paulina on Twitter @_ItsMePAULINA

Avery Wilson, 16, Hamden, CT –Avery grew up in a family of dancers and always wanted to be a dancer… and he used to keep his singing behind closed doors and to himself. His father heard him around age 7 and told him he’s not a dancer, he’s a singer! He owes this opportunity to his dad. He sings ‘Without You’ by David Guetta ft Usher… and he is so good!! Almost immediately Adam, CeeLo and Christina turn… then finally Blake gets in the running for this one. Adam is almost speechless when he tells him he’s only 16… and all of the coaches are in awe of his raw talent at such a young age. CeeLo wins this golden boy!!! Follow Avery on Twitter @_CallMeAvery

Collin McLoughlin, 24, Bedford, NY – Collin was enrolled in NYU’s Music Business master’s program working towards a degree to ultimately work for a record label… while there, he was still trying to do his own music on the side but finally got to a point where he couldn’t do both. He dropped out of college to pursue his music career disappointing his parents but moved back home to start over to make his dreams come true. Wants The Voice to show his parents he made the right choice. He Sing ‘Wild World’ by Cat Stevens while playing his own guitar. Adam teases his button, but Blake and CeeLo turn first, a couple moments later Adam follows. He really has a natural, unforced sound and I loved his laid back style. He picks Adam… I really thought he was gonna go with Blake though! Follow Collin on Twitter @McLoughlinMusic

Joselyn Rivera, 17, Pembroke Pines, FL – Joselyn was born premature and had neurological deficiencies, around the age of 5 they discovered she was falling behind other kids her age… sothey took her to a specialist and she was prescribed music. She slowly came out of her shell with the help of music. For her blind audition, Joselyn sings ‘Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)’ by Kelly Clarkson… after a strongly sung note, Christina pushes her button, Blake follows shortly after. She picks wisely and chooses Christina for her coach. Follow Joselyn on Twitter @MsJoselynRivera

Benji, 24, Orlando, FL – Benji has loved music since he was a kid, but also has always felt the need for speed… as in racing. Just out of college, he had the opportunity to move to California and race formula cars. Racing required a lot of money in order to make it so he had to give it up…. And he turned to his other love, singing. He sings ‘Knocking’ On Heaven’s Door’ by Bob Dylan… and I LOVE THIS GUY FROM THE FIRST NOTE! Adam turns first; CeeLo can’t resist and turns also. Christina states that she heard a little bit of Adam in his voice, to which Blake pipes in saying that he doesn’t sound like a jackass at all…. Very funny little ribbing between the judges on this one. After thanking the judges, he picks Adam! Yay for #TeamAdam!!! Follow Benji on Twitter @BenTheBrownie

Todd Kessler – (Not featured) Private music teacher Todd really hopes to take his indie folk pop music to the next level on The Voice. Todd plays guitar and some piano and says that he sings “on a very visceral level.” He is often seen performing at local bars and venues in his hometown of Chicago. Todd sings ‘Maggie May‘ by Rod Stewart, and joins Team CeeLo. Follow Todd on Twitter @toddkessler 

Ben Taub – (Not featured) Aspiring to be either a performer or a foreign correspondent, Ben is currently studying at Princeton University in New Jersey. His interest in journalism stems from a secret trip to Cairo last summer, during which he saw the revolution in Egypt unfold firsthand. He’s half-English, speaks French and Italian, and plays the oboe. Ben sang ‘Feeling Good‘ by Nina Simone (and others) and also joins Team CeeLo. Follow Ben on Twitter @BTVox

Emily Earle – (Not featured) Originally from Colorado Springs, Emily left home at 18 to pursue her passion for music. She made her way to New York City where she made a living playing in the subways. She recently moved to Nashville to nanny for her country legend uncle, Steve Earle, while pursuing her passion for music and working on her songwriting. Emily loves to play basketball and plays guitar and piano. Emily sang ‘Ring of Fire‘ by Johnny Cash and rounds and joins Team CeeLo. Follow Emily on Twitter @EmilyEarle

Mycle Wastman, 40, Seattle, WA – Mycle was raised by his grandparents… his dad died of bone cancer and mom died of repertory disorder so his grandfather was there for him. He tells us his granddad just died about a week and a half ago. He’s tried other things to inspire him before he found music… joined military, studied mechanical engineering, went into construction but nothing did it for him until he found music. Says his voice does not match his voice, which I can agree as he sings ‘Let’s stay Together’ by Al Green, Adam pushes his button first, with CeeLo turning almost immediately behind him, then followed by Blake shortly after. Wow! This boy has chops and a great falsetto too! Another natural! All coaches agree he’s the best vocalist they’ve seen today… he has a hard time deciding but ultimately picks CeeLo for his coach. Follow Mycle on Twitter @Mycle_Wastman

After week 2, the coaches teams are filling up as follows:

Team CeeLo – 11
Team Adam – 11
Team Christina – 10
Team Blake – 7

My thoughts – Week 2 was a little different for me… I thought that some got through leaving me questioning why?? But also seen some true, raw talent this week only strengthening The Voice as a whole. I look forward to recapping some of the artists that did not get a coach to push their button as there are a few I really want to comment about, and believe we had some honorable mentions from this week. Next week will be interesting & they teased at least on artist who looks to be insanely good on the preview. From some of Christina’s picks this week, I think her team seems weaker than last weak… and Team CeeLo got a few of my fav’s, even though I will always be #TeamAdam!! I’m really looking forward to next week & seeing how each coach picks to finish out their teams.