The Voice SA: 13 Become 8
Last week's 'No Elimination' rule regarding Team Lira meant that 2 contestants from her team would go home this week - a very hard pill to swallow for many of us.
This was by far the best show of the season and what a treat it was to see all 13 contestants perform. It would have been absolute sacrilege if the world missed out one that showstopping performance from Jono!
Let's get to grading the performances as they happened:
Team Lira:
Zoë Modiga – “Firework” by Katy Perry
R: This was a couple of notches down for Zoë. It was bound to happen after two incredible performances. The first half of the song was problematic for her lower register. It was just too low for her. The latter half was stronger, especially hearing her falsetto for a change, which was beautiful. It was the wrong song in my opinion, and it might hurt her. It wasn’t a firework. Grade: B
J: I hate having to say this but I think Zoe peaked too early. The song started out problematic and did not get much better during the back half of the performance. I expected fireworks, I was left wanting. Grade: B
Jeremy Olivier – “Your Body is a Wonderland” by John Mayer
R: Naturally, not as great as last week, but this was a really solid rendition. It was soulful and smooth and Jeremy’s vocals were right in the pocket. Laidback, around the fire performances are his vibe and it’s really nice. It was a sweet performance. Maybe not spectacular, but I really dug it. Grade: B+
J: This song was right up Jeremy’s alley. I wasn’t crazy about it but I didn’t hate it either. It was a solid yet middle-of-the-road performance. John Meyer oozes sex appeal without trying to – I didn’t get any sexiness in this performance. Grade: B+
Jono Johansen – “Whataya Want from Me” by Adam Lambert
R: What a complete reinvention Jono underwent this week! He looked great and he rocked it out, and even more surprisingly, the song suited his voice so well. He sounded like a rock star. It was a great vocal and a great performance, and that was last note was fantastic. So, so good! Grade: A
J: Who would have thought that Jono could bring sexy back and rock the daylights out of an Adam Lambert song! Is there anything this guy can’t do? He is The Voice – and more! Stellar performance! Grade: A+
Robin Pieters – “(Something Inside) So Strong” by Labi Siffre
R: Vocally, this was good; really strong. He took us all to church this week and delivered some solid runs. Was it my favourite performance from Robin? No, but it was a strong vocal, and it is The Voice after all. It was nothing if not very solid. Grade: B+
J: Robin is such a sweetheart and has grown on me in recent weeks. It was yet another solid performance from him. I didn’t feel the same emotional connection to the song that he has displayed in the past but overall it was good. Grade: A-
Results: Jeremy is saved
R: He’s not The Voice. Jono was the best male vocalist in the competition, and tonight he proved that he’s much more than that.
J: I’m really not liking the format of the show. Congrats Jeremy. See you at the Grammys Jono.
Team Bobby:
Austin Lurring – “Don’t” by Ed Sheeran
R: He’s in my Top 8 no doubt. This is such a tough song to perform and he delivered. I grooved along with him the whole performance through. It was smooth and cool and Austin is a complete radio-ready star. He’s probably the most completely commercial package in the competition. I loved it. Grade: A-
J: Finally an Ed Sheeran cover I enjoyed. I too believe that Austin is radio-ready and extremely marketable. This was fun and smooth and solid. Grade: A-
Gavin Edwards – “Fix You” by Coldplay
R: The first verse was beautiful. His raspy tone glided so beautifully over the words. The chorus wasn’t as strong, but his voice really shined. It was probably his best live performance thus far, and at just the right time. Everything was great, except for the chorus that was just a notch below. All in all, it was beautiful. Grade: A-
J: Gavin is back in the game! That was really good. I love the song and he did it really well. This was his best performance to date and I can see him getting the votes for this one. Grade: A-
Vernon Barnard – “Believe” by Cher
R: I really commend this song choice. It is a perfect song for him emotionally, and I gotta say, he clearly is strong enough. It was a really solid performance and his warm tone soared throughout the song. I felt every word. Grade: A-
J: This was a very brave song choice from Vernon. He will once again rake in the votes. It was the first time since his Blind Audition that I felt him really connect with a song. It was memorable. Grade: B+
Results: Vernon is saved.
R: Personally, I think Austin deserved it, but Vernon more than brought it tonight. Austin could be a star regardless.
J: Austin would have been my personal choice but it really was a no-brainer in the end.
Team Karen:
Jono Grayson – “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay
R: In theory, his voice definitely resembles Chris Martin. I would go as far as to say too much. Like Karen loves to say, it was a bit of imitation, and a rather flat imitation at that. He had some botched notes and his performance quality is so flat when compared to Chris Martin. It was off for me, and he’s honestly lucky to even still be here. The raw energy that Coldplay’s music brings was missing. Grade: C+
J: I liked Jono during Idols and really wanted him to do well in the competition. This was not one of his greatest moments. He has such tremendous creative flair yet chose to sing a carbon copy of the original Coldplay version. He is so much better than this performance. Grade: C
Thembeka Mnguni – “Somewhere” by Barbra Streisand
R: This is a huge song. It might have been too theatrical for Thembeka – or for this competition – but holy smokes, that voice is huge! The vocals on this woman are incredible. I much preferred “Run”, but this was still top notch. She’s fantastic. Grade: A
J: Thembeka has an amazing voice and she belts those notes out like pro. She is really really good. My mother would have loved this performance. Grade: A-
Almur Marais – “Hand in My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette
R: I love Almur’s voice, and on a record it might just be incredible. It was a very solid performance, but I just want him to rock out so badly. He mumbled through some parts, which is a big no no, but the quality of his voice is just great. I just don’t understand why he hasn’t rocked out like he did during his battle. That’s the ‘Stilfontein’ everybody loves. It was a solid showing, but a few steps down from last week. Grade: B
J: Another solid performance and much better song choice from Almur. I personally preferred it over last week’s performance. As solid as this performance was it felt like he was holding back. In a competition with 8 people in the finale you really can’t afford to hold back. Grade: B+
Results: Almur is saved.
R: Right decision.
Team Kahn:
Francis Bowers – “When the Doves Cry” by Prince
R: No. When you want to pay homage to a recently deceased artist, please make sure you do it! Sure, Prince was theatrical, but more than that – he was a true artist as well as a musician. I don’t think Francis did himself any favours. His voice wasn’t suited to the song, and the lower register wasn’t working. I’ll pass. Grade: C-
J: Terrible song choice! This did not work at all. Francis has such a unique voice but it got lost in all the theatrics. I won’t go as far as to say Prince is spinning in his grave but it was not nearly as good as it should have been Grade: C
Clemour – “She Always Gets What She Wants” by Prime Circle
R: I wasn’t a fan of the song choice for Clemour. The first half wasn’t very strong, but the latter half was really good. Once he could let loose and use his big voice and his great grit, he killed it. It was a song of two halves, but the latter half was very good. Grade: B
J: I’m a sucker for anything Prime Circle but don’t think this was the best song for Clemour. The second half of the song was much better than the first – it seems it takes him half a song to relax and let go. Grade: B
Richard Stirton – “Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
R: I love this song, and it was perfect for him. Perfect. His falsetto during the verse followed up by his raspy, gravelly rock voice was everything the performance needed. It set him apart from the original as well as the new Disturbed cover making the rounds. He has a wonderful voice and a wonderful talented. Yes, Karen, it was the performance of the night. Grade: A+
J: Richard has a tremendous talent and I think he is a serious contender for the title. A year ago he would probably have been my winner. That gravelly rock voice is sure to have the ladies swooning. Grade: A
Results: Clemour is saved.
R: The right call.
J: Spot on!
And there you have it - the penultimate episode done and dusted. Next week South Africa will crown the first winner ever of The Voice South Africa.
Tune in to Mnet channel 101 Next Sunday at 17:00 for the Season finale. It is sure to be a good one!
