The Voice Recap: The End of the Blinds Delivers One Singer an Inexplicable Diss
Tuesday’s conclusion of The Voice’s Season 23 Blind Auditions not only introduced four more promising contestants, it raised a question: WTH had Alyssa Lazar done to wind up performing the only tryout to be abbreviated to near nothingness?
Over the five episodes that made up the Blinds, the show found time for a Jimmy Fallon gag. It found time to remind us a zillion times over that this is Blake Shelton’s last visit to the rodeo. It found time to give Chance the Rapper a gimmick and pass down the finger-point schtick from Blake to “son” Niall Horan. It even found time to trot out a whole bunch of vocalists who didn’t get a chair turn. But it couldn’t find two minutes Monday night to let us hear the performance that had gotten Alyssa added to Team Chance? (Read that recap here.)
Not cool, Voice. Not cool. (Her number is shrunk on YouTube, too; see below.) Before you weigh in on the subject, let’s review Tuesday’s Blinds.
NariYella (Team Chance), “One Night Only” — Grade: A- | Swinging for the fences, this four-chair turn, who’d been singing since she could talk, delivered a performance that was so mammoth, I was surprised that she only got a standing O from Chance. I heard imperfections here and there, moments where NariYella strained and faltered, but the passion and power on display more than compensated for that. A real contender.
Grace West (Team Blake), “Maybe It Was Memphis” — Grade: B | This Nashville dog walker, a pro songwriter since she was 16, opened her mouth, and all I could think was, “Welcome to Team Blake.” Niall turned, too, but Grace was so country, there could be almost no doubt where she’d wind up (especially after the OG likened her to Pam Tillis). Lovely voice, good range, just maybe not the most thrilling performance we’ve ever heard (or heard this season).
Katie Beth Forakis (Team Kelly), “Ghost” — Grade: B- | This grad-school student from small-town Tennessee turned out a perfectly pretty, stripped-way-down rendition of Justin Bieber’s hit. But was anyone else unsure whether it was vulnerable and emotional or uncertain and nervous? Not Niall, who got goosebumps, or Kelly, who also turned for Katie Beth and immediately started imagining musical arrangements for the contestant.
Talia Smith (Team Niall), “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” — Grade: A | An intel analyst for the US Army, Talia hit the stage with a Tori Kelly cover that probably would’ve been a four-chair turn, had anyone but Niall still had a spot left on his team to fill. She was poised, energetic, controlled, terrific. “That had absolutely everything,” Niall exclaimed. And I had to agree. Can’t wait to hear what she does next (and can’t imagine what she can’t do!).
Which of the last singers added to the coach’s teams most impressed you? And can you think of any reason why poor Alyssa’s Blind would be cut so short amid so much filler? Let fly your thoughts in the comments below.
The whole ‘Blake’s last season’ thing is VERY annoying. Who cares? I wish *last season* was his last, and then the Voice can stop being so ridiculously and disproportionately skewed to country contestants. Country is just not that popular, and all the country cannonfodder that fills teams and is never heard from again by the general public will stop.
How wrong you are. Country music is enormously popular. Especially with the large TV audience that views The Voice.
They will just get another country singer to replace them.
They might win Country Voice, but they never be on the radio.
Morgan Wallen was on, but he didn’t win.
Wallen wasn’t doing country when he was on the Voice. He had a Justin Beiber hairstyle and sang pop. He was chosen by Adam. And didn’t make it far. Nerves I think.
The license for a Paul McCartney song was more expensive so they didn’t play the full 90 seconds.
there’s no need for licencing for these performances. if the song is heard, they head the permission.
Is this true? Why is there a difference between a full 90 second and a snippet from a licensing standpointAnd it isn’t like the VOICE can’t afford it…
The whole season has been filled with mediocrity.
I Agree that what happened to Allysa Lazar was awful! Was it a glitch? A mistake? I only heard her first two lines and couldn’t wait to hear the rest – will they make up for it? Can we see the entire audition? Many talented singers – but again, her first two lines (only lines) made her one of my favorites. So confused!
Kind of disagree about Talia, she sounded shaky to me in parts, but nice tone. Agree that Katie was weakest. NariYella was my favorite by a fair margin.
I just want to say that so far, Chance and Niall have been wonderful additions to The Voice. I have been pleasantly surprised at how articulate, knowledgeable, funny and gracious both of them are.
Also, did they actually show all the blinds in the right order this time? If not, they did a much better job at editing it so that it seemed as if it was.
I’m looking forward to the next round.
Well said. Chance and Niall are like a fresh breeze.
Same here, still hung up about Alyssa. I hate when they do this to contestants but to do it in the blinds? They at least owe their viewers an explanation.
Once I got past NariYella’s fake eyelashes, I was dialled in.
Really enjoying Chance. He is a great addition.
Being Irish, Niall’s brogue is lost on me. Im just disappointed at his command of the musical terms, lingo. All one hears is storyteller, high notes, low notes and tones. Interesting to see how he will coach.
Right. Those eyelashes are a fashion trend but they’re so distracting. She had a good voice ,however.
WHY WHY WHY would you refer to Talia’s song choice as a “Tori Kelly cover” rather than a great Stevie Wonder song? Even if she covered it the way Tori Kelly did, cmon, Charlie!
He must have born in the 90s. Anything that happened musically before TRL didn’t happen. We know that Tori Kelly sang in the Sing movie.
Let’s remember that Charlie is taking notes during show, writing rough drafts per singers during commercials, identifying songs, evaluating vocal stylings, judging overall quality, injecting humor, engaging us his audience. Then he usually submits his recap & commentary within a half hour or so aft the show’s ending. So, of course he makes an occasional mistake. I know when I write lengthy posts online of considerable complexity, I take a few hours to get the content & tone right, revise & recheck. Even so, I still sometimes let a typo slip through or get a fact wrong. It happens. Give him a break! He does a darn good job!
All 4 who advanced tonight were special:
.
NariYella brought delicious phrasing & great range: A
.
Grace was country radio-ready: A-
.
Katie Beth had a sensitive soulfulness: A-
.
Talia vocally tangoed thru the Wonder song: A-
I will just say Scranton pa loves you Alyssa !! We are very proud of you. That wasn’t nice .
I agree with the diss of Alyssa Lazar BUT it is a bit deceptive to use a picture of an African American and not use a picture of Alyssa with the story.
It is very misleading and can cause unnecessary bias. You should update the story and use the picture of this very talented young lady ( Alyssa Lazar). A lot of us Pennsylvanians were very upset and feel cheated.
I agree 100% what the did to Alyssa Lazar was unforgiveable.
As a fan, I felt slighted. I can not begin to imagine how that must have made her feel. SO UNFAIR! My heart goes out to her.
She is truly a talented singer/song writer who is humble and smart. America needs to get to know this young lady, she is truly a star.
First of all Charlie simmer down now heah. This is a shorter season and I for one hope they honor Shelton. As Pharrell said he’s the heart and soul of the Voice. Always a team player. Loved by the crew (my niece worked there) And truly the only one who helps artists afterwards. Even those not on his team. So let them joke about his last go around. As for Alyssa. Well there’s a reason artists get montaged. Wait and see.