‘The Voice’ Recap: Cole Vosbury, James Wolpert Stand Out

The top 10 contestants on The Voice performed last night with an array of challenging song choices. Among the performers, Cole Vosbury from Team Blake Shelton and James Wolpert from Team Adam Levine delivered the most memorable performances.

Before individual performances began, however, the top 10 performed “Say It, Just Say It” by The Mowgli’s together. With interchanged solos and harmonies, the performance was upbeat and peppy, if not a bit adolscent.

Austin Jenckes from Team Blake Shelton opened the individual performances with a fun rendition of “Your Love” by The Outfield. Shelton wanted him to break out of his shell and show off the power in his voice, and he did in such a way that it seemed effortless.

Jacquie Lee, the youngest contestant on the show and a member of Team Christina Aguilera, sang “Clarity” by Zedd next, a song which was also performed in season four’s semi-finals by runner up Michelle Chamuel. Thanks to yoga during rehearsals, Lee’s breath control helped her connect with the song.

Will Champlin of Team Adam performed next, singing “Love Me Again” by John Newman. The song has more of a bouncier beat than Champlin’s past performances, but he took on the challenge and delivered a powerful performance.

Caroline Pennell from Team Cee Lo Green made her own song choice, performing John Denver’s “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” a song much more in her wheelhouse than last week’s “Wake Me Up.” Her rendition highlighted the eccentricities in her voice that elevate her beyond a simply sweet-sounding singer.

Vosbury from Team Shelton sang next, performing Mr. Big’s “To Be With You,” one of his favorite songs. His more acoustic performance was so personal and strong that Levine lamented not having Vosbury on his own team.

Powerhouse Tessanne Chin from Levine’s team performed “If I Were Your Woman” by Gladys Knight & the Pips. She struggled with the song at first, but found a connection and performed it with strength and Jamaican flavor, truly making it her own.

Soulful singer Ray Boudreaux of Team Blake sang “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. Boudreaux has clearly found his voice with the fun and soulful performance.

Wolpert of Team Adam performed Harry Nilsson’s “Without You.” He, like many other contestants tonight, struggled with the song. Also like the others, he took the song and made it his own, delivering a strong performance that delighted his coach.

Last week’s saved contestant, Green’s Kat Robichaud, sang Pat Benatar’s “We Belong” next. The coaches agreed that the vulnerable song and performance was what they wanted to hear from her since the start of the competition.

Matthew Schuler, a constant fan favorite on Team Christina, closed the show with “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrinth and Emeli Sandé. He, like Lee, worked with the yoga instructor on his breath control. In his performance he showed off his range, moving from deep tones to high belts. It's becoming near-impossible to doubt he'll be in the finale.

— Ava Butler