by Todd Betzold

 

Take off your boxing gloves...bring out your best vocal ability...The Voice battles begin!

 

The teams of eight have been filled and now it is time to put the team members in battles against each other to see what four from each team make it to the live shows for America to choose who is the next great voice. Two singers, one song, one stage...let the fighting begin!

 

Up first, Team Christina. For her first team battle, Christina chooses to put the power divas against each other and I must admit it, this one let no one down. Tarralyn Ramsey versus Frenchie Davis singing "Single Ladies" by Beyonce.

 

Christina said she chose an up-tempo song for these girls, so they could let loose and have fun with it and that they definitely did...well, they let loose with it once they hit the stage, but rehearsal had lots of tension and you could clearly see these divas wanted to knock the other one out!

 

The fighting divas took to the stage, both looking absolutely beautiful, and they put it all out in that ring. Both hitting some amazing notes, but in my eyes and in the eyes of Christina, Frenchie shined bigger and brighter than Tarralyn, as Christina sent Tarralyn home and moved Frenchie on to be the first contestant in the live shows.

 

Team Blake takes the stage next as he has the confident cowboy from Texas, Patrick Thomas, battling the soulful Californian voice of Tyler Robinson.

 

Singing "Burning Love" by Elvis, this works out to be a pretty good battle. Not as much tension as the divas in the first one, but both very good singers. Tyler can sing the heck out of some runs, but per Blake's advice, he toned it down some for the battle and Blake appreciated it. Patrick stuck to his country charm and worked the crowd and coaches with his sexy smile.

 

After Adam and CeeLo both said they would choose Tyler if it was up to them, Blake sticks to his country roots and goes with Patrick.

Adam brings his team to the stage and puts second chance hopeful Casey Weston versus the king of almosts, Tim Mahoney.

 

"Leather and Lace" is the song of choice for this battle, which paired the seasoned singer versus the newcomer.

As they got started in the ring, Casey had a great country twang to her voice, but Tim had a strong and confident appearance on stage, which comes with over 14 years of experience. He seemed to overshadow the calm and what appeared to be shy Casey.

 

The two sang the chorus beautifully together and brought on a tough choice for Adam. After some thinking, Adam said there was just something about Casey and he had to go with her.

 

Team CeeLo is the last one to bring his battle to the stage for the night, but it definitely was worth the wait.

 

CeeLo put up fiery, soul singer Vicci Martinez versus the young hopeful, Niki Dawson. In singing "Perfect" by Pink, the youthful and soulful singers were nothing short of perfect themselves.

 

Niki had the little diva attitude as she took to the ring and she owned that stage. Not gonna lie, but to me, she overshadowed Vicci for most of the performance. However, Vicci can definitely sing and she brought out her foot-stomping, war-dancing self at the end and showed Niki who really owns that stage.

 

After they sang one of the best duets of the night, Vicci and Niki received standing ovations from both Adam and Blake.

 

CeeLo says Vicci has some gut wrenching thing about her that he just can't look past and has to send Niki home as he sends Vicci on to the live shows.

 

One member of each team in place for the live shows and we add one more each next week.

 

 

The Voice airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Todd @tbetzold