NBC’s ‘The Voice’ review: Sawyer Fredericks, Joshua Davis, Koryn Hawthorne, Megan Linsey begin finale
Tonight, we had the final four artists on “The Voice” take to the stage for a pretty jam-packed first part of the finale, and we wish we had some better news to report. We were surprised at times with how lackluster some of the performances were, especially compared to the way that some of the contestants really brought it last year. Part of the problem here was song choice, but another part of it may just be the sole fact that some of the duets really did not work beyond the obvious “oh, look at the artist and the coach on stage” pairing.
If you missed it earlier, head over here to see music videos for some of the original songs performed by the contestants in tonight’s episode.
Sawyer Fredericks
“Please” (original) – If you love Ray LaMontagne and his sound, this is really up your alley. It’s not the most buzzworthy song out there, but at least Sawyer got to sing something from one of his heroes.
“Old Man” by Neil Young – Sawyer’s real chance to shine. This was the last song tonight, which is making it more and more clear that NBC really wants to find a way to ensure that Sawyer makes it all the way to the winner’s circle. He has performed last many weeks now! This was also luckily his best performance overall, as well.
“Summer Breeze” by Seals & Croft – He and Pharrell did not mix here. At all. Hopefully Sawyer is remembered more for his other performances than this mess.
Koryn Hawthorne
“It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” -Of course, Koryn slays it! Hopefully the oversaturation of this song will not hurt her in any way.
“We Can Work It Out” by the Beatles – Pharrell, duets aren’t your thing. Let’s just leave it at that.
“Bright Fire” – Koryn’s original song. Pharrell apparently wrote the song, and for the most part it showed off her voice. Definitely a Beyonce vibe here, even though the lyrics are not the best (sorry Pharrell).
Joshua Davis
“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen – Had he not been a little behind seemingly for most of the song, it probably would have been stirring and emotional.
“The Workingman’s Hymn” – Excellent! Our favorite of the original songs by far. This is something right out of the working-class rock playbook. We can picture Bruce Springsteen singing it in our head as we speak.
“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon – This was just odd. Joshua sang better than Adam Levine, but the song choice was just weird since there was not anything that they could do with it.
Meghan Linsey
“When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge – Certainly a familiar song. It also was her best of the night. Great vocals, great power, and it impressed us through and through.
“Freeway of Love” by Aretha Franklin – A decent duet with Blake Shelton, but way too loud and way too much shouting!
“Change My Mind” – This was her original song. Definitely powerful, but Meghan needs to utilize a little more subtlety at times. That is what is holding her back.
Who was your favorite on “The Voice” tonight? Share with a comment, and head over here to see where we ranked all of the contestants going into the show tonight! Also, you can sign up here to get some other TV news worth singing about via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: NBC.)