The Voice Season 9 Recap: Jeff Kills it During The Knockouts #VoiceKnockouts

We have seven pairings yesterday during The Voice season 9, The Knockouts. It means there will likely be a montage. Each singer will get to choose the song they are going to sing tonight. Team Pharrell is the only coach who has not used their one steal. And Rihanna is back on board tonight as a mentor. Read our recap of The Voice season 9, The Knockouts to get caught on the highlights.

The Voice- Season 9- The Knockouts Recap

Shelby versus James- Team Adam

• Shelby- Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood
• James- Sure Would Be Cool if You Did by Blake Shelton
• Shelby- Shelby performed this song at a talent show in the 3^rd grade. Is Carrie Underwood really that old? Rihanna is impressed with Shelby’s range and Adam says all she needs is a bit of confidence.
• Performance- I love this performance. It is hard to take on a song by Carrie Underwood but she is slaying it. Her voice is amazing and her tone is beautiful.
• James- James became a huge YouTube sensation and Ellen even noticed his talent and invited him on her show. Adam liked the vocal that James has but advises him to loosen up. Adam told James that he sounded better doing Blake’s song that Blake does, jokingly.
• Performance- He has a great voice that is really deep. He puts more emotion in the song than Blake does, making it an emotional ballad. However, it does seem that James is not giving it his all here.
• Judges- Blake liked how James made the song his own and Shelby song choice was amazing. Gwen said Shelby blew her mind and complimented James on how well behaved his kids are. Pharrell is impressed with James vibrato and Shelby came out swinging.

Knockout winner- Shelby

Mark versus Siahna- Team Pharrell

• Mark- Stand By Me by Ben E. King
• Siahna- Back to Black by Amy Winehouse
• Mark- Mark was ecstatic when he was introduced to Rihanna. Mark is feeling insecure about the song, even after getting kudos from Rihanna.
• Performance- He starts out the song rather boring but gets much better as the song goes on. I, personally, wasn’t impressed with his song choice or his performance. His vocals were flat. This is a huge song, too huge for Mark.
• Siahna- Siahna is young but she has a unique voice. Pharrell says she is fearless. But I do think that she needs a great deal of work and may not be ready yet to be a performer.
• Performance- Just as I suspected, she didn’t do so well with her performance. She was really off-key, some of her notes were flat and she messed up on timing once or twice.
• Judges- Gwen likes Mark but doesn’t say much about Siahna, as to not offend her. Pharrell says they are both talented performers.

Knockout winner- Mark

Related: The Voice- Season 9- Episode 9 recap- 10/19 #VoiceBattles

Jeffrey versus Kota- Team Gwen

• Jeffrey- Turning Tables by Adele
• Kota- Barracuda by Heart
• Jeffrey- Jeffrey explains that after Adele released her last album, he was going through a tough breakup and just delved into her music. Rihanna advises Jeffrey on his vocal phrasing.
• Performance- Jeffrey has such an amazing voice, so much soul. I really like his version of this song but it does appear that he is nervous.
• Kota- Gwen suggests that she hold back on her growls a bit. Rihanna suggests that she not over sing the song.
• Performance- Well, I can say right off that Jeffrey definitely wins this one. Kota is just pitchy and she is shouting, not really singing. I think she would have done better with another song.
• Judges- Adam says Jeffrey’s voice was original. Blake said Jeffrey showed everyone who he is while Kota’s performance didn’t have the dynamics it needed.

Knockout winner- Jeffrey

Emily versus Nadjah- Team Blake

• Emily- Cowboy Take Me Away by The Dixie Chicks
• Nadjah- A Woman’s Worth by Alicia Keys
• Emily- Emily is another young one, being only a teenager. Emily said she picked the song to enhance her bluegrass side.
• Performance- Emily has such a great voice and amazing tone. However, she doesn’t seem like she is emotionally connected to the lyrics she is singing.
• Nadjah- Nadjah said she choose the song because of her young daughter. Blake advises her to hide her nerves and not hold back when she is singing.
• Performance- I think that Nadjah did well on the vocals, but it had no pizazz, it was dull and lifeless.
• Judges- Pharrell felt Emily was in her comfort zone. Gwen said Emily has a good deal of confidence while calling Nadjah mesmerizing. Adam compliments Emily on her progress but said Nadjah is holding back still.

Knockout winner- Emily

Chris versus Zach- Team Blake

Remember at the beginning I said there would be a montage? Well this was it. Zach wins the Knockout with Somebody’s Heartbreak by Hunter Hayes

• Evan versus Tim- Team Pharrell
• Evan- Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
• Tim- Torn by Natalie Imbruglia
• Evan- Evan has a great voice that sings rock and sings it well. Rihanna mentions that his voice has texture but he should put the guitar away for right now, hoping to enhance his stage performance.
• Performance- The suggesting to put the guitar away was spot on. He was totally working the stage. His rock vocals were impressive on this performance.
• Tim- Rihanna says Tim has an interesting voice. Pharrell gave Tim some advice on things to do when his vocals get strained.
• Performance- I actually like both of them this round. He just does so well with this song.
• Judges- Blake said Evan had great vocals and Tim was unique. Pharrell said Evan did well without the guitar.

Knockout winner- Evan

Regina versus Riley- Team Gwen

• Regina- Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight
• Riley- XO by Beyonce
• Regina- Regina started on Adam’s team but was stolen by Gwen. Rihanna gave Regina some advice on her breath control.
• Performance- Regina does very well with the song but I thought she would make it her own more than she did. I mean after all, this song is a legendary classic.
• Riley- Rihanna is impressed with Riley’s voice. Riley tells Rihanna that when she covered her song Diamonds on YouTube, it went over one million views.
• Performance- She appears a bit nervous, but she does well vocally and has great stage presence.
• Judges- Adam said Regina crushed the song and called this performance Riley’s best Gwen thinks both of them should stay on the show.

Knockout winner– Regina but Pharrell uses his steal on Riley

So, here is how things look after the performances are complete during The Voice Season 9, The Knockouts:

Advancing to the next round:

• Shelby
• Mark
• Jeffrey
• Emily
• Zach
• Evan

Eliminated:

• James
• Siahna
• Kota
• Chris
• Tim

What was your favorite moment from The Voice Season9, The Knockouts? Do you have anything else to add to our recap? Tell me in the comment section.