The Voice Recap: Joanna Serenko Sings John Prine’s ‘Angel From Montgomery’

The electricity was positively explosive when the previously recorded Knockout Rounds kicked off for season 18 of NBC’s The Voice. Carrying on the new tradition that Taylor Swift started last year, coaches Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, John Legend and Blake Shelton got a big power-up when the iconic James Taylor stepped in as the season’s “mega mentor.” And the contestants responded with super-charged performances.

Of course, that doesn’t make it any easier for the coaches to eliminate members of their team that they’ve already grown attached to and, as Kelly pointed out, “The worst thing about the knock-outs is everyone is great now.”

Remember, the four artists saved during the Battle Rounds will go head-to-head in a first for The Voice — a four-way Knockout. Unfortunately, we won’t know the winner of that face-off until the Live Rounds begin and their air date is unknown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each coach began the Knockouts with one steal, and there was no time wasted in using them.

TEAM BLAKE – LEVI WATKINS and JOEI  FULCO

• Levi performed “Ain’t Living Long Like This” by Waylon Jennings
• Joei performed “When Will I Be Loved” by Linda Ronstadt

JOHN: “You both just gave perfect performances, you did exactly what you’re supposed to do. You sang the notes with power and precision. I don’t even know. If I were to decide, there’s something about Levi. Just the little things you did, it just gave it a little extra ‘it’ factor.”

KELLY: “When i saw Levi singing Waylon Jennings and the fact that you even know that song, you’re so cool. You’re so cool. And Joei, I love Linda Ronstadt because you can really showcase how big your voice can sound, how round. And especially toward the end, where you got, like, rock ’n roll. I mean, I loved Joei, but I’ve got a 13-year-old at home. So, you’re 14-years-old singing Waylon Jennings, I have to go with Levi.”

BLAKE: You’re 14 and you’re singing a song about being in prison.”

• Winner: JOEI

TEAM KELLY – MEGAN DANIELLE and CAMMWESS

• Camm performed “Say Something” by A Great Big World
• Megan performed “Piece By Piece” by Kelly Clarkson

BLAKE: “That’s such a close, neck-and neck competition here because what you did, CammWess, was really step out and have your big moment just now. And Megan, you did, too. And you both just have an incredible gift. If I was choosing, I’d go with CammWess.

JOHN: “Megan, you really do have a fantastic tone and great control over your voice. Now, Camm. Oh my God. It was a tour de force as a vocalist. It’s one of the best things we’ll see on this show in any round. I felt mountains of regret that you are not on my team right now.”

• Winner: MEGAN

STEAL button was hit by both Nick and John.

• CAMM returned to Team Legend

TEAM LEGEND – DARIOUS LYLES and MIKE JEREL

• Darious performed “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul
• Mike performed “Versace On The Floor” by Bruno Mars

NICK: “Wow, I mean, this is one of those that just blows you away. Two powerhouse vocalists, incredible control. Darious, the confidence you performed with, you swag out there, was all showing. Fantastic performance. And Mike, Bruno Mars has one of the biggest ranges of any male artist. I felt like just at the top part of your register, there were moments where it didn’t feel quite comfortable. But I know the vocalist that you are. I guess, John, I would go with Darious on this one.”

KELLY: “I love both of your voices, they’re both very smooth. You’re really portraying the message of the song, which is big with me. You’re both really, really gifted and John is screwed.”

• Winner: MIKE

TEAM NICK – RODERICK CHAMBERS and TATE BRUSA

• Roderick performed “Redbone” by Childish Gambino
• Tate performed “The Scientist” by Coldplay

BLAKE: “Roderick, I feel like there’s probably more of a musical connection between you and Nick and your style of singing, but Tate, if a kid like this gets into the live part of this show and does something like he just did, which is pour 100%, those are the type of performances that set this place on fire. It is a tough spot, so good luck, buddy.”

JOHN: “Roderick, you move from your falsetto to your full voice and your range is so stunning. Tate, that song is such a classic song. You put your personality on it in a great way. It was very impressive. If I were to pick between the two of you, I would go with Roderick.”

• Winner: RODERICK

TEAM BLAKE – CAM SPINKS and TODD TILGHMAN

• Todd performed “Anymore” by Travis Tritt
• Cam performed “Rumor” by Lee Brice

NICK: “Todd, my dad was a pastor and you guys have really similar voices. It’s very powerful and you certainly brought us to church with that performance. And Cam, I’m a big fan of yours. I love your vibe. I think you will be a massive star. So, know that I would be happy to come write songs for you at some point in time if you will have me. But based on this Knockout, I think Pastor Todd took it for me.”

KELLY: “Cam, there is something really cool about your voice and I think for me, personally, I don’t feel like you give your voice enough credit to have room in a song, I just think, to have a little more space for you. But Todd, I’ll say points on song selection.”

• Winner: TODD

TEAM LEGEND – ZAN FISKUM and JOANNA SERENKO

• Zan performed “The Story” by Brandi Carlile
• Joanna performed “Angel From Montgomery” by John Prine

NICK: “Joanna, you know I love your voice and I had to make one of the toughest calls in the Battle Rounds last time and I’m deeply regretting that after hearing that performance. You sort of flutter around the execution of the notes with such ease. And Zan, there is so much emotion tied to what you’re singing. It’s really special.”

“Joanna, I learned more about you vocally, you pretty much had nothing to hide behind. And Zan, I feel like there’s singers and there’s artists, and you’re a great combination of both things. I would probably have to pick Zan.”

• Winner: ZAN

STEAL button was hit by both Nick and Blake

• JOANNA chose Team Blake

The Knockouts continue on April 20, but beyond that is unknown. Live rounds of most competition shows have been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.