The Voice Recap: Blake Shelton Makes Tough Decision Between Ricky Duran and Joana Martinez

The Knockout rounds for season 28 of NBC’s The Voice continued on October 29 with just three sets of contestants facing off for coaches John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. Coach Kelly Clarkson used her only save for this round the night before to snatch Max Boyle up for her incredibly talented team, but she was still on hand to offer advice and input to her fellow coaches. “Mega Mentor” Taylor Swift was also back with her solid advice and clever creative input.

TEAM LEGEND

• JAMES VIOLET (20) – “Stay” by Post Malone
• JOHN: “I see his potential. He has a really gorgeous tone and a great range.”

VS

• KHALEA LYNEE (36) – “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
• TAYLOR: “Khalea chose a really vocally difficult song and she absolutely nailed it. She’s one of those singers that knows her stuff.”

Feedback

• JOHN: “James, you had the right approach to this song. We talked about hitting one high note at the end, just to like, boom, and you did it. You came out here and nailed it, 100-percent. I’m so happy for you. And Khalea, you remind me in a lot of ways of Whitney Houston because she would do this kind of big, broad, kind of pop ballad, but she would put just a little gospel on it and I heard that in the way you performed  this song that made it feel like it was yours.”

Winner: KHALEA

TEAM GWEN

• JESSIE LAWRENCE (31) – “Dancing with a Stranger” by Sam Smith and Normani
• GWEN: “Jessie is willing to work really hard and I just am so happy that he gets to have this moment.”

VS

• KYNDAL INSKEEP (22) “Elastic Heart” by Sia
• TAYLOR: “Kyndal, wow, her voice has so many different complexities and echelons that it goes to, and it’s very interesting to find quirk and control in the same voice. It’s amazing.”

Feedback

• GWEN: “Jessie, I thought that you were great tonight. A lot of people can sing, but they can’t work a stage like you can. And Kyndal, you are so original. Your voice is so beautiful and it’s so emotional.”

Winner: KYNDAL

TEAM BLAKE

• JOANA MARTINEZ (15) – “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas
• TAYLOR: “When someone is that talented vocally, the icing on the cake is when they can sell you the emotions, too.”

VS

• RICKY DURAN (29) – “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes
• BLAKE: “I know firsthand that this song is a tough one to sing. You really have to have your heels dug in and be prepared to deliver strong, rangey, powerful vocals.”

Feedback

BLAKE: “My thoughts are empty. Joana, when I got you in the Blind Auditions, I was shocked. I’m continuously blown away by your talent. And Ricky, you’re my only four-chair turn and you came on this show with the mindset of ‘I want to be coached’ and that’s something that I really respect about you.”

Winner: RICKY

STEAL: Gwen – “I turned for Joana in the Blinds and I’ve always wanted her from the very beginning. I can’t wait to get to know her and find out who she wants to be.”

November 4 and 5 will be the final round of Knockouts before the remaining contestants Top 20 move on to the Live Playoffs begin on November 11.