<p>dadx, You might be referring to Bryana Salaz on Gwen’s team.</p>
<p>I’ve been enjoying this season more than the others because I’m paying more attention to what is said during the coaching, how it translates to the performance, and how that affects the coach’s choice. I seems like the coaches put similar people against each other, even if they’re both great, because two people with the same style could split votes and they both could end up going home during the audience voting. They also seem to focus on who learned the most from the coaching rather than who had the best voice. The song choice of the battle rounds seems to be a big factor, too… it’s a hint into how the singer sees his/her style and strengths.</p>
<p>First night back, last audition - James David Carter. I said it that night and I’m still saying, he’s the winner. I mentioned this in one of my classes today and lots of heads were nodding in agreement. I’ve watched his audition a couple of times since then and in the unlikely event that he doesn’t go the distance, I think he’ll still have a career in country music. Seems like they give the contestants a chance to revisit a song somewhere near the end and I so want to hear him sing Nobody Knows again. He played it safe with the James Taylor song in the knockouts, but I think we’ll see some interesting performances when we get to live rounds in two weeks. Can’t wait! </p>
<p>I do think Tayor Swift has been making a good contribution in her knockout round coaching. Am I remembering correctly that she was a battle round coach in a previous season? I am still loving the chemistry between the judges and there are some other contestants who are catching my attention - Jessie and Taylor with the hat in particular.</p>
<p>2VU0609, It will be interesting to see how the iTunes downloads go with his future song choices. If JDC gets good rankings on iTunes, it will definitely help him, above and beyond the apparent advantage being a marketable country singer with voters gives him already. He probably is the closest to being “star ready” at this point. </p>
<p>I read that producers reach out to talent agents to recommend singers who have been around a while but for one reason or another haven’t make it. Nashville is a particularly rich source. They know those performers will bring an audience with them. A few of the former contestants have commented on how little time the coaches actually spend with them. They are all novices when it comes to a major television production. Some are really novices. The biggest thing the kid who went to my D’s school had done prior to this was perform in a college acapella group. </p>
<p>I disagree with the idea that the James Taylor song was a “safe” choice. In fact, I think it was tremendously risky. Taylor’s rendition is iconic, and the song is not full of the vocal pyrotechnics that make it easy to make a big impression. Instead, he had to put together a really convincing, really intimate, very personal performance. He had to sing it like it was HIS song. </p>
<p>Interesting perspectives, I think of You’ve Got a Friend as a Carole King song! (Just like I think of Hallelujah as a Leonard Cohen song).</p>
<p>Carole King wrote it, but James Taylor recorded it before she did. </p>
<p>I’ve seen James Taylor in concert twice. Once with Carole King (best concert ever, IMO!!!) and once by himself. Both times he gave her credit and talked about how that song has provided his family with financial security. She credits him with making it the standard that it is. I just love them both and I think about it belonging to both of them. While his cover was more popular at the time, her version is on my personal favorite album of the 70s, Tapestry.</p>
<p>Am I still the only person who’s sore over Troy leaving? </p>
<p>I thought I would be, because I liked him, but I watched that performance again and it was still weird and didn’t sound good.</p>
<p>Not even throughout the first knock out, but the contrast is amazing. Screaming vs. controlled performance. Hope Blake goes with the second.</p>
<p>This is the only TV show I watch live. I am going to be SO VERY happy when the campaign ads are gone!</p>
<p>Jean…holy cow!</p>
<p>Adam should just go ahead and send both Chris and Blessing home now. </p>
<p>I have no idea…</p>
<p>I liked Reagan and the last two singers that Gwen had that both are through. Anita and the guy who was saved twice. The guy is good and should be on the show. </p>
<p>I missed the first 30 minutes of the show so whoever sang then…I obviously can’t like their performances. :)</p>
<p>Jean’s vocals were spot-on. Great song choice. I was a tad surprised that the coaches didn’t gush even more and that they thought she and Menlik gave equally great performances.</p>
<p>Glad Blake got his honky tonk guy back. Is a Craig-Blake duo finally going to happen? Personally, I liked Craig best during the blinds. For me, James David Carter is the better bet to go further in the competition.</p>
<p>I forgot about Jean. I liked her too.</p>
<p>Gwen picking Anita over Craig makes me think this is all so obviously scripted. He was far better than her, no matter what kind of music you like. It was obviously scripted that she pick Anita, and Blake would grab Craig. There is no way you pick someone who is not near as good, unless you’re directed to do so.</p>
<p>Interesting idea, and you may be right, busdriver, but I thought Anita was wonderful. I think she has more potential in the long run than Craig, although I liked him. I just don’t see him growing much on the show.
I don’t think he better. I would say, almost as good as. Funny how everyone has such different takes on the talent.</p>
<p>Gwen’s big favor to Craig was cleaning him up. He looks so much better, IMO.</p>