Shakira Learns the Power of UshersLeg

“The Voice” Recap: Shakira Learns the Power of #UshersLeg 

Before we can get into anything from tonight’s contestants, we need to take some time to recap what’s happened in the last three weeks. You know, for that huge amnesiac market that every reality show is always catering to. We’re down to the final night of blind auditions, and each coach only has one spot left on their team.
First up, Carson is going to meet Mark Lennon and his band, Venice. Apparently our fearless host was a huge fan of the band growing up, which is just adorable and totally Classic Carson. “I feel like a teenager again!” he says, giddily, as Mark takes the stage. He is singing “Come Together.” Carson is sweating bullets as Mark makes his way through the song without any chairs turning around. He sounds good, but he doesn’t really make the song his own, and when you’re tackling something like The Beatles, it’s pretty much a necessity that you take a risk with it. He’s a good sport about not getting through, though I fear Carson will never recover.
Next up is 24-year-old Jacqui Sandell, who has been singing and dancing for as long as she can remember. She left the classical world of ballet to join a rock band, but tonight she’s auditioning solo. She’s sings “Dreams,” and gets Blake’s chair to turn almost immediately. She has a cool, 90s rock type voice, and it’s enough to get Usher to press his button as well. Usher, always keeping everyone at arms length, says there are some things she needs to work on, but he wants to hear more. Blake calls her sound “sexy,” and otherwise showers her with praise, and ultimately lands her on his team.
After a brief recap of the now complete Team Blake, we meet Amber Carrington, who has been singing for her whole life (cue adorable childhood Elvis impression), but who took a break from music after her mother passed away from breast cancer. Carson also lost a parent to cancer, and has witnessed a  breast cancer battle as well, so he’s super supportive, naturally. She takes the stage and sings Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl.” Blake is excited about her, and with his encouragement, Adam turns around. He’s the only one, so Amber closes out the team.
So now the veterans are set, and the newbies are left to duke it out. Dustin Hatzenbuhler is up next. He’s another former band member, but he’s already struck out on his own, releasing a solo album that was a big ol’ flop. He now lives with his parents, who are sweet and supportive and don’t make him pay rent. He sings “Haven’t Met You Yet,” and it unfortunately sounds like an only okay Michael Buble impression, which isn’t enough to turn any chairs. He has a good attitude, and the coaches all encourage him to return next year.
Luke Edgemon is a young white man who grew up singing in predominantly black church choirs. After high school, he started getting work as a backup singer for a soul singers like Mary J. Blige, so I immediately have high expectations. He’s singing “I Can’t Make You Love Me,”  and he has a really cool voice. If I were a coach, I would have turned two notes in, but it takes a few bars before Shakira presses her button. Usher follows shortly after, and Adam looks physically pained to not be able to turn for him. Usher says he has the specific voice he’s been waiting for, and Shakira says she can teach him something different. Then Shakira pulls the baller move of yanking her leather clad leg up to match Usher’s stance, and that does it. Luke is team Shakira.

That leaves Usher with his pick of the remaining contestants. The first hopeful is Jessica Childress, who left a career in public relations to pursue her dream of being a musician. She sings “Marry You” which, if I were ever a coach, would be an unfair choice because it makes me tear up literally every time I hear it (I’m a sap). She is great, and all the other three judges encourage Usher to hit his button. He’s clearly on board too, but he lets her milk it a little longer before triumphantly hitting his button. He turns with arms wide open, and that’s it for the blind auditions!
Next week we’ll start the battle rounds, with guest mentors Sheryl Crow, Hillary Scott, Joel Madden and Pharrell. Usher and Shakira are going to show off their fire for the first time, and it looks like it’s going to be magical.