‘The Voice’ Top 8 Live Performances

The Voice is about to be down to the Top 6. Hard to believe we’re already at this point in the season but the competition shows no signs of slacking off and going away!

Monday night’s performances from the Top 8 were absolutely stellar. Some I am absolutely in love with and some I finally understand.

I’ve been working in radio since the very early 90s. I have been a fan of music all my life. I’ve predicted number one songs but I’ve also picked songs I thought would be number 1 but ended up being number 91. I think I’ll take a shot at being a coach on The Voice and give you my two cents on last night’s performances as best I can.

To start off the night Amanda Brown broke into a rockin’ version of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’. Bold, yes, but the song perfectly showcased her vocal range and I think put a clear spotlight on where she fits in musically. Right now I am torn between 4 of the top 8 to win and Amanda is among them. I like her.

Second up was Team Cee Lo’s Cody Belew with Queen’s ‘Somebody To Love’ and I think I finally get it. Or finally understand it. Earlier this season when Cody did Dolly’s ‘Jolene’ I was confused. There could not have been a worse song for him but Monday night when he performed in the great Freddy Mercury’s shoes I can finally see where his musical heart lies and it felt more comfortable.

Next in line is the vocal mammoth that is Terry McDermott. His performance of Blake Shelton’s ‘Over’ was spot on as far as I could tell thru my 47 inch TV speakers but I didn’t feel the song was not the yin to his yang. I felt like I was watching Coldplay do a Blake Shelton song. I do feel that Terry has been one of the most consistent performers and was solid enough last night to stay in the game and return next week.

Melanie Martinez is up next with her spin on Alex Clare's “Too Close”. Set direction was brilliant, her rendition was brilliant but I’ll agree with Christina that it just never went anywhere. Melanie has grown on me since day one and I wouldn’t count her out just yet.

Now onto Dez Duron from Team Xtina, her only remaining team member. He ran through a version of Justin Bieber’s ‘You Smile’. I didn’t know the song so I don’t feel I connected with the performance.

Trevin Hunte did ‘The Greatest Love of All’ by Whitney Houston. If you’ve seen this fella before you know I don’t need to say anything more. He nailed it and each week secures his place in this season’s top 3.

My man Nicholas David took the stage looking '70's cool to sing Marvin Gaye’s hit ‘What’s Goin’ On’ and I think it was more soulful than even Marvin did it! Nicholas impressed me from the start with his deep growling vocal delivery and his ability to make each song his own. I’m a fan!

In the final performance of the night Cassadee Pope took on Michelle Branch’s ‘Are You Happy Now’ and absolutely knocked it out of the park! Michelle Branch even Tweeted, “Nice job @CassadeePope :) Proud of you xx”. Then again Tweeted, “Wanna hear @CassadeePope's version of my song Are You Happy Now? I just bought it/voted :)” Cassadee absolutely nailed the song and has been my favorite to win this season of ‘The Voice’ pretty much from the start.

I feel the final five left standing will be Trevin Hunte, Cassadee Pope, Nicholas David, Amanda Brown, and Terry McDermott. Five left standing! The competition is so great at this point I cannot narrow it down to even the top 3.

I could be wrong and wish the others the best of luck but one thing I am sure of, at this point, I’d buy a record from each of the artists.