The Voice: Episode 11 – The Knockouts 2

The coaches have to reduce their teams to three artists - The Voice 2013 — The coaches have to reduce their teams to three artists – The Voice 2013
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It was the second of the knockout rounds on Sunday 2 June and Jessie and Danny had to reduce their teams of seven acts down to three, who will then progress to the live shows. The live shows start on Friday 6 June at 7pm on BBC One.

Before we start the review of the show, a reminder of the team makeup for each coach.

Team Will.i.am: Leanne Jarvis, Cleo Higgins, Leah McFall

Team Jessie: Ash Morgan, Danny County, Trevor Francis, Lovelle Hill, Sarah Cassidy, Letitia Grant Brown, Matt Henry

Team Tom: Mike Ward, Alys Williams, Joseph Apostol

Team Danny: Andrea Begley, Mitchel Emms, Conor Scott, Karl Michael, Sean Rumsey, Abi Sampa, Alex Buchanan

Ash Morgan performs after getting a fast track to the live shows from Jessie J
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Jessie J chose Ash Morgan for her fast track act. With the pressure off Ash performed Sweet Dreams previously recorded by Beyonce. He seems to be able to do anything with his voice. A class act. I am a fan.

The first of Jessie J’s knockouts, for the second slot in her live show team, was between Danny County, Trevor Francis and Sarah Cassidy.

Danny County performs in the Knockout performances in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Danny County chose Be My Baby previously performed by the Ronettes. Danny has a very different sound which is very appealing but can sound a little raw sometimes. I like the simplicity of his performances.

Trevor Francis performing in the Knockouts in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Trevor Francis chose Give Me Some Loving previously recorded by The Spencer Davis Group. Jessie J was not keen on the song choice so it was a brave choice by Trevor. Trevor has real stage presence and he makes you focus on his performance.

Sarah Cassidy performs in the Knockout in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Sarah Cassidy chose A’int No Mountain High Enough previously recorded by Diana Ross. It was a good song to showcase Sarah’s voice and she performed it very capably.

It was a difficult choice for Jessie J and I didn’t envy her as I liked all three artists. Sir Tom Jones favoured Trevor, Danny thought Sarah edged it and Will.i.am liked Danny. Jessie J went for Sarah Cassidy

The second knockout in Team Jessie was between Letitia Grant Brown, Lovelle Hill and Matt Henry.

Letitia Grant Brown performs in her Knockout performance in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Letitia Grant Brown chose Love Is A Battlefield as her killer song. Sir Tom Jones thought she was a little pitchy and who am I to disagree.

Lovelle Hill performs in her Knockout with Letitia Grant Brown and Matt Henry in The Voice 2013
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Lovelle Hill chose an Emili Sande song for her killer song. Jessie was not keen and suggested True Colours by Cyndi Lauper. Not surprisingly Lovelle went with Jessie’s song choice. It was a capable performance. Sir Tom Jones first reaction was that Lovelle looked great. Did Jessie think she sang great though?

Matt Henry performs in his Knockout performance in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Matt Henry, Jessie’s steal from the Battle rounds, chose Skinny Love previously performed by Verdi. Matt manages to put such emotion into his vocals and was the clear winner for me.

After some thought Jessie J decided to put Matt Henry through to the live shows as her third act.

Sarah Cassidy, Ash Morgan and Matt Henry make up Jessie J's Team for the live shows — Sarah Cassidy, Ash Morgan and Matt Henry make up Jessie J’s Team for the live shows
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So team Jessie now consists of Sarah Cassidy, Ash Morgan and Matt Henry.

Karl Michael performs after getting a fast track to the live shows from Danny O'Donoghue — Karl Michael performs after getting a fast track to the live shows from Danny O’Donoghue
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Next up was Team Danny. As his fast track act Danny O’Donoghue had chosen Karl Michael. With his live show place secure, Karl sang Apologise, previously recorded by One Republic.

For the first of Danny’s Knockouts he put Alex Buchanan, Abi Sampa and Andrea Begley against each other.

Alex Buchanan performs in the Knockouts in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Alex Buchanan, Danny’s steal from the Battle rounds, chose Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours by Stevie Wonder. It being was a good performance without really standing out. It was too much on one level, quite loud, without any variation.

Abi Sampa performs in the Knockouts in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Abi Sampa chose Iris previously performed by Goo Goo Dolls. With her asian sound Abi is a very different singer. She maybe sounds a little raw in places but you can hear the potential she has.

Andrea Begley performs in her Knockout performance in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Andrea Begley chose Songbird, previously sung by Eva Cassidy and was written by Fleetwood Mac. It’s a great song with some some great lyrics.

Danny O’Donoghue chose Andrea Begley as the winner of the first of his Knockouts so Andrea goes through to the live shows.

For the final Knockout Danny had grouped together Conor Scott, Sean Rumsey and Mitchel Emms.

Conor Scott performs in the Knockouts in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Conor Scott, the busker, chose Hey Soul Sister, previously recorded by Train. Conor has such energy and can fill a stage with his voice and guitar.

Sean Rumsey performs in the Knockouts in The Voice 2013 Episode 11
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Sean Rumsey chose Ain’t No Sunshine previously recorded by Bill Withers. Sean is a good singer without being outstanding. His falsetto voice gives interest to a song but for me the emotion is lacking.