by Jessica Blackwell

 

The Voice began Season 7 with two new coaches, Pharrell and Gwen. NBC is still keeping with their physical consistencies, they replaced a blond girl and a black guy with a blond girl and a black guy the same way they originally replaced Xtina with Shakira. The new coach lineup opened the show with a surprisingly good rendition of No Doubt's "Hella Good" and Gwen proved she can still rock the stage! Here are the best performances of the night. 

 

Contestant Name: Luke Wade

Audition Song: "Thats How Strong My Love Is"

Verdict: Four chairs! 

Coach Choice: Pharrell

The first contestant to take The Voice stage was the child of two artists. His mother owns a dance studio, and his father is a painter - no wonder he's musical! Besides all the creativity flowing through his blood, he's also blind in one eye due to a paint ball accident - ouch! Before coming to The Voice, he traveled the country with his band, putting 50,000 per year on his car trying to get handfuls of people inside coffee shops to buy his CDs. From the way the coaches clamored over him after they heard his smooth, soulful voice, I'll say he's graduated from the struggle. It was Pharrell's pitch that got him, probably the line "I know a thing about blue-eyed soul. Ask Justin. Ask Robin. I know what to do with your voice," he said. DAMN! Pharrell may be a rookie to the show, but he's not playing games! 

 

Contestant Name: Bryana Salaz

Audition Song: "Problem" by Ariana Grande

Verdict: Three Chairs

Coach Choice: Gwen

Bryana is a 16 year old Army brat that reminds me of Jacquie Lee from Season Five. Her voice is amazing although she could use some work and coaching, but after all  the progress Christina made with Jacquie that yielded HUGE results, I believe she's going to be one to watch. After she was done, the only coach that wasn't turned around was Pharrell. If we know anything about the show, we know America loves young brunettes with big voices. Keep your eye on Bryana! 

 

Contestant Name: Damien

Audition Song: "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday"

Verdict: Four Chairs! 

Coach Choice: Adam

Damien is a TSA employee who works at LAX and was in the middle of that shooting that occurred. He lost a coworker, and his partner was shot in the leg right in front of him. He ended up singing at their funeral, and because of his experiences, this guy hit the stage with so many emotions! Besides what he's been through personally, he's 35, and he's been rejected professionally so many times when all four chairs turned around, he lost it. 

 

Contestant Name: Taylor John Williams 

Audition Song: "Heartless"

Verdict: Two Chairs

Coach Choice: Gwen

Despite his smooth, jazzy tone, only Gwen and Adam turned around. His style screamed Adam Levine so I thought for sure he was going to choose him. His voice wasn't impressive in terms of range, but he was very consistent and never wavered. I'll be interested to see how he works with Ms Stefani. 

 

Contestant Name: James David Carter 

Audition Song: "Nobody Knows"

Verdict: Four chairs! 

Coach Choice: Blake

Before James sang it, I could never imagine this smooth R&B cut sounding great as a country song, but he made it amazing. He had the coaches fighting over him and even prompted them to try and thing of something higher than a standing ovation. Gwen and Adam literally sat on the very top of their chairs! Blake is a great for him. 

 

Stay tuned for tomorrow night, it looks like the best is yet to come! 

 

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8pm EST on NBC. 

 

(Image Courtesy of NBC)