the sound Season 23 of Blind Auditions continued in full swing on Tuesday with new coaches Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan, and throughout the night, host Carson Daly kept teasing the series “wildest Blind Audition Ever.”
“Right now, we have an artist behind the scenes preparing for the biggest performance of his entire life. You won’t want to miss this!” Carson announced, though viewers had to wait until the end of the hour-long episode to catch this special surprise performance.
It was worth the wait.
Kelly Clarkson, Niall, and Chance all immediately hit their buttons to deliver this fuzzy, seamlessly textured take on Michael McDonald’s rockin’ yacht classic “I Keep Forgettin’,” and they seemed really impressed… untilThey, of course, spun around and burst into laughter at the sight of NBC’s Jimmy Fallon.
Only Blake Shelton refrained from turning around, so Jimmy naturally broke the rules and bragged to hit Blake’s button himself. “You can not do that!” Blake protests, claiming that he knew he was his friend Jimmy all along. “I was like, ‘I know what’s going on.'” Blake laughed.
“I’m across the parking lot doing our show This is my jam, and I texted Carson and said, ‘I have to come back,'” Jimmy explained. He then graciously congratulated Blake on his 23rd game record voice Seasons… before she chose to “join” Kelly’s team, because of course she turned to him first.
This was all clearly a PR stunt for Jimmy’s musical game show This is my jamwhich inadvertently premiered on the Tuesday immediately after the sound. But it was beautiful wow PR stunt. Personally, I think Jimmy would have been a great addition to Team Chance, as Chance the Rapper – as evidenced by his cheery reaction to the Hall & Oates cover earlier in the evening – clearly has a soft spot for soft rock. But here are the actual, serious tests that took place on Tuesday:
Just an Element: “Leave the Door Open”
Technically, only contestants who fail to manage any chairs are allowed to try out the sound once again. But former Kelly team member Gage Vinson, who reached a career-best 13 straight playoff appearances in Season 16, made voice made history this week as the show’s first returning semi-finalist, because he found a loophole and returned this season as a member of a pop vocal trio called Sheer Element. Personally, I preferred Jej as a solo artist – his group arrangement for this Silk Sonic song felt cramped, messy, unrealistic, and sometimes unpleasant to the ear. But when he and fellow/USC bandmates Easy Kay and Tabun Ward squabbled individually, their raw talent was evident.
Who turned? Chance, Niall…and then Kelly, who waited until the last few seconds of the song to hit her button, but luckily recognized Gage shortly afterward. (If you hadn’t turned around, or not realized who Gage was, it certainly would have been embarrassedespecially since Jej was invited to duet with her in Las Vegas after him voice Being.)
a result: Kelly team. I think Chance, with his production prowess, could have been the best coach to help Sheer Element sort out her vocal parts. (“I see exactly where you guys could go,” he assures them.) Niall’s consensual experience in One Direction might have helped them, too. But Kelly clearly had a “history” with Gage. (“I really liked Gage’s voice!”) And I noticed Kelly’s last voice voice Wins He was With the trilogy, Girl Named Tom, so everything can work out for Jej the second time around.
Carlos Rising, 28: “He changed the world”
Kelly was one of Carlos’ first childhood crushes: “I wanted to marry Kelly Clarkson,” the blushing admitted Tuesday. Kelly is single these days, but Carlos is now happily married to the woman who inspired his Eric Clapton cover. He definitely had a sexy, velvety tone that could make all the ladies swoon — Chance compared him to Jamiroquai’s Jay Kay, and Niall was reminded of British singer-songwriter James Morrison.
Who turned? Blake and Kelly – the latter back in very last minute. Kelly explained that she was “waiting for him to come up,” but eventually realized Carlos had “what it takes to be on this show.”
a result: Blake Team. I’m not sure if it was because Carlos put off light constructive criticism from Kelly, or because he didn’t want to make his wife jealous…but I think Team Kelly, stylistically speaking, could have been more accommodating.
Magnus, 25: “Sarah Smile”
She liked what Chance called Magnus’ “flawless song selection”. Honestly, Hall & Oates should be covered on every episode of every singing competition. But of course, not everyone could do a Hall & Oates like this choir singer and self-described old soul. (Jimmy Fallon may have done a decent job with it, though.) “The speed at which I attacked the song, for a while, I was like, ‘Man, these kicks are going crazy“,” Chance said to Magnus. “And then, just you slapped That note at the end.”
Who turned? chance, on the spot, and then he’d sing: “It’s you…and me…forever! I think Chance is just as big a Hall & Oates fan as I am. He quickly became my favorite trainer.
a result: Team opportunity, as he was the only coach to convert. (“I was so excited I didn’t want to take that from you,” Kelly gently explained to Chance.) But Team Chance is where Magnus belongs, anyway. “I actually won the whole show, basically!” He announced an opportunity, as Sarah smiled from ear to ear.
Kala Banham, 24: ‘Both sides now’
This former college, a cappella singer, who has a similar look at Joanna Newsom, stunned with her stylish Joni Mitchell cover. “You did such a beautiful job on it, so crisp and so tender in the soft moments. … You’re incredible. You have such a telling voice, so sweet and beautiful. I just want to bring a guitar and write a song with you,” Niall said.
Who turned? Kelly, Niall and Chance. Kelly was really excited about this, but unlike how she so graciously let Chance have Magnus, Niall rises to the “dirty tricks” he learned from his new “father” Blake, and blocks Kelly. “It’s sad… We would have been lovely together,” Kelly lamented to Kala. (Side note: I’m glad Blake didn’t turn around because He wasn’t even familiar with this classic Joni! What?)
a result: Niall’s team – but maybe not for long. “I will rob you, mark my words!” Tell Kelly Calla. “You will wear this [Team Kelly] jacket at some point in the competition, I promise.”
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