Tonight on The Voice UK, it was the turn on Team Will and Team Tom to sing to win a place for another week, and with two contestants from both teams facing the chop tomorrow night, the pressure was on.
Both judges were tonight singing with their contestants in a group performance, and we here at EF Central were looking forward to both performances! What more could you want?! will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones!
Leanne was first up from Team Tom, and in her VT we saw her explaining how happy she was with her first performance. In rehearsals, we saw her trying to perfect I’ve Put A Spell On You, and she sang it first ten years ago at a holiday resort where she met her husband. How sweet? She same on stage dressed in black and looking very seductive. Her first notes were perfect, and she looked as if she was enjoying it. Whilst she was very good, EF doesn’t think she has that recording voice and maybe she’d be more suited on cruise ships etc. Sir Tom said: “She can handle pressure. Leanne opened the show, she can do anything she wants, she has a fantastic voice. She’s got confidence right now.” Dannny O’Donoghue said: “When you first started, I thought you were looking at me, and I genuinely thought you’d cast a spell on me.” will said: “She put a spell on me. Really, those riffs and runs you were doing…wow…!” Jessie J said: “Your control is so smooth, and that’s my favourite performance by far.” Well done Leanne!
Next up from Team Will was Frances Wood. In her VT, we saw her tell of her joy of being in the competition and not being in the bottom two last week. She said: “It’s the best experience I’ve had so far.” Her song was Show Me Love. Dressed in a white tutu, she looked brilliant! The song suited her voice and her attitude. We think will.i.am made the right decision with Frances. Well done! Will said: “You did great, you held it down, it was strong, youthfull, you did me proud.” Jessie said: “It was very comfortable, I would have liked to have heard it in a higher key.” Tom said: “She’s Princess Leah!” Danny said: “Frances, she dances, she takes some chances! I’m not gonna lie, it was your best performances vocally, the growth I’ve seen working with will has been good, but I don’t know if it’ll get you through. But, well done.”
Next up for Team Tom was Matt & Sueleen. In their VT, Matt said how hard it was for them to be in the bottom two, two weeks ago. They found the pressure very hard, but enjoyed going back to their home town of Canteburry. In rehearsals we saw them trying not to clash their harmonies too much. Their song tonight was Missing by Everything But The Girl. On stage, they were both sat on park separate park benches and sat back-to-back. Their rendition of Missing was very different from the original, and EF enjoyed it. Tom said: “I liked it, you take chances. The harmonies are fantastic, I wouldn’t be brave enough to try harmonies like that” Danny said: “I found it strange that you didn’t look at each other, but then again, you guys took chances.” Will said: “You guys proved that I want to hear more. It looked amazing, I don’t know whose idea it was to sit on a park bench, but it was amazing. It looked straight from a Harry Potter moment.” Jessie said: “I’m still trying to make my mind up on how I feel about that. I love the fact it was such a risk, but I don’t think it showed you guys up to your full potential.” EF enjoyed them.
Joelle Moses was next for Team Will. Two weeks ago, she found herself in the bottom two, and felt heartbroken. This week, she wanted to sing I Surrender by Celine Dion, but Will wasn’t sure about her choice of song, so…the next day she decided to sing Stronger by Kelly Clarkson. She came on stage dressed in a sparkly silver and black dress – she looked the part. Her voice and attitude are strong and that’s what we like. Will said: “I’m taking this real serious, like, when we go out on tour, I check what other bands do, with their stage presence. There’s not much I can help you with your voice, but what I can do is help with your stage presence. I get into it man!” Jessie said: “That was vocally great. I want to see you let go more though. Your voice is amazing, and I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do later with your team!” Tom said: “She reminded me of Muhammed Ali. You’re strong, you might have felt down that you were in the bottom two, but you were great.” Danny said: “You were a little shaky to start with, but, congratulations.”
Up next was Ruth Brown for Team Tom. Two weeks ago she blew everyone away with her performance, so we were especially excited to see her this week. In her VT, we saw her in rehearsals and catching up with Emile Sande backstage. She had a few ideas for her performance this week. Her song this week was Next To Me by Emile Sande. Ruth caught our attention straight from her first note and held it all throughout it. Back in her auditions, we were worried that she was shouting too much, but tonight – she was perfect (though we’re not sure about her colourful outfit). As the song progressed, her emotions and passion reminded us of Tina Turner. The applause was deafening. Well done Ruth! Tom said: “When I hear Ruth sing, I get chocked up. We’re going to be singing later, and I hoped I won’t get chocked up too much. I’ve sang duets with many people, but this girl has got something….” Danny said: “I really believe you’re going to get down as a legend. My hairs stand up!” Will said: “So…you sing incredible, we all know that. You get better and better, to the fact that the stage gets so boring. You don’t need explosions, but if you need any – I can design some for you. That would be out of this world!” Jessie said: “It’s just so nice to see you explore your voice. You’re a soul singer. You make me feel…ahh!!”
EF favourite Tyler James was next for Team Will. Having won many fans with his good looks and gorgeous voice, we were excited to see him again this week. In his VT we saw how nervous he was. Tyler’s song tonight was My Baby Just Cares For Me. He reminded EF a bit of Jedward tonight – hairstyle wise. Dressed in a purple suit, he looked the part. His voice suited the song, and we couldn’t stop looking at him. He’s got the type of voice where you could listen to him all day. Will said: “You are a true artist man. Working with you in rehearsals and hanging with you, I couldn’t tell you were nervous. Your country should be honoured to have such a soulful cool person.” Jessie said: “I want to chill with you! I would happily go out and buy an album with your voice.” Tom said: “I heard Prince sing the song, and you didn’t try to copy him. Well done.” Danny said: “You’re very brave to sing in falsetto all the way through, but I didn’t hear any pitching issues. Well done.”
Adam was next for Team Tom, and having done a controversial song two weeks ago, pressure was on for him to excite us again this week. In his VT, we saw him enjoying receiving messages from the ladies. We saw his partner, and how much she supports him. His song tonight was High And Dry by Radiohead and he was stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar looking very grungy. Adam has the presence and the voice, his performance was to us was flawless. Tom said: “He’s got a very honest voice, and the falsetto is just as strong. I’m sure there will be lots who wants to mother him. I know the feeling..hahah!” Danny said: “Personally, it wasn’t your best performance. It lacked a little bit of emotion and ejection. But, again, I commend you on a great choice of song.” Will said: “I thought it was dope, and I don’t just say dope for anything.” Jessie said: “You’ve got a gorgeous tone, especially for recording. I agree with Danny, for me personally, last week you really came forward.”
It was then the turn for the amazing Jaz Ellington to take to the stage for Team Will. Having amazed everybody two weeks ago with his gorgeous voice, we were looking forward to hearing him this week. In his VT we saw Jaz and his wife go for a scan to find out the sex of their baby. How cute! A little baby boy! This week, he’ll be singing a mash-up of Billy Joel’s Just The Way You Are and also, Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are. Jaz received some whoops from the audience in his first notes, but then it all went quiet as everyone listened to him. The mash-up worked quite well. Our only issue, and it can’t be helped, is his voice was a bit croaky, but he’s had a chest infection. He finished well though. Well done Jaz. Will said; “I’m a speak from my heart. My mom was a single mom, and I wish she could have someone there for her.” Jessie said: “the most amazing thing about music is when someone writes a song, its so personal and they give it to the world. That was just lovely.” Tom said: “It depends what kind of song you sing, you work the crowd. When you sing jazzes like this, its plain to see that you have someone in mind, but you not only did it to one person – you did it to the whole audience.” Danny said: “I’m glad you took my advice from last week, you’re special!”
After all eight contestants had sung, they all had a chance to sing with their Coach in a group performance. The first was Team Tom. We saw them in rehearsals enjoying a spot of mini golf, and Sir Tom hoped his team would be better at singing than they were playing golf! Their song was Hit The Road Jack – AMAZING! Sir Tom was really going for it, as were his contestants. He actually stood out. Adam surprised us, as this is not the kind of song he’d normally sing! Well done Team Tom!
The second performance was Team Will, and knowing Will, he’d do something big! In the VT he said: “I want them to be rocking it!” To relax, Will had arranged Jamie Oliver to bring them some food – oohh lovely! Their song was Ray Charles’ I Got A Woman. Tyler opened, and yes – he rocked it! Jaz came in, soulfully singing away. Then, Will came in and did some rapping but incorporated the Black Eyed Peas’ I Just Can’t Get Enough. Well done! It was great! We felt like we were in a concert!
So, tonight’s performance were different to each other. EF loved Matt & Sueleen, Ruth Brown and Tyler James, and we do hope they’ll be back for another week.
The Voice UK Results continues tomorrow night at 7.25pm on BBC One.
