The Voice of the Philippines - The Live Shows Review - Batch 2

The Voice of the Philippines

The Live Shows 

Batch 2 - September 1, 2013

REVIEW 

Team Bamboo

1.    Angelique 

Good performance. But as Sarah verbalized it, the song was not challenging enough for the public to vote her. See, even Sarah knows how important biritan is in a competition like this. I think she’s a bit over confident, hence she didn’t rearrange the piece to insert high notes. You can see it in her comment in TheVoiceLife, where she implied she’s got better and sexier voice than Paolo. Well Angelique, you have quite underestimated your coach’s horse.

2.    Paolo

I’m a Paolo fan starting from the Battle.

Like Lee, Paolo has suffered (in a lesser scale than Lee) criticisms from netizens because they feel the Cordovales was better during the Battle, and Bamboo was again playing favorites.  Let’s go into that first. For me, Paolo deserves that Battle. His voice is so unique, cool and smooth. So pleasant to the ear. As for the Cordovales, their voices are pretty much… well ordinary, though they blend well. Two ordinary voices, blending well would sound great. My point is, the Cordovales is just as good as any two ordinary pinoy singers doing some right blending, whereas Paolo’s unique voice is so pleasant and well suited for this serenade piece. To others, it’s not the uniqueness that should be the basis for judging, but rather the artist who did better on the battle alone. Well this I say to Cordovales supporters... close your eyes. If you do, you’d hear which voice is more pleasant to listen to during this epic battle. The Cordovales just seemed to have stood out because their voices were louder (what do you expect? 2 voices against 1) and they were more animated. But it’s not about the loudness; it’s about the style and voice quality and suitability to the song piece.

Now, going back to the Live. Paolo proved it! He can sing, and he can sing exceptionally well! He’s got a voice that can capture a Gretchen Barreto’s heart and a face that even a straight guy Robbie could not deny. The votes proved Bamboo right. Paolo and Bamboo were vindicated. And Lea agrees (again, I value Lea’s and Bamboo’s comments, as they normally don’t step back in giving honest and frank criticisms if they find any fault). Their WOWs and CONGRATS to me has more value than Sarah’s and Apl’s (as they keep giving praises sparingly). And the netizens also agree. If there were 40% Paolo dislikers during the Battle, they are now a negligible 5% on the Live performance on Youtube. Congrats Paolo, you are indeed Bamboo’s gem. I’m guessing Paolo and Myk will be Bamboo’s final 2. But in the end, Myk will be in the final 4 (I’m not complaining though). Even if Paolo makes it in the final 4, he will not win against the power belters for reasons I have mentioned several times. But Paolo fans need not be sad. Paolo is now a star. Give it a month or two after The Voice ends, and you’ll see him on ASAP.  By the way Paolo, I know you play the guitar well. Why don’t you pull that card out and be a WGWG (or AGWG), and compete head-on with Myk.  

Final note… I like Richard Poon, but I think I’m liking Paolo even more. His tone is just amazingly unique, cool and smooth, way better than Mr. Poon. Can’t wait to buy his album.

3.     Isabella

Another Bamboo talent. Isa is very much like Paolo. The Lives proved Isa can sing. But since she’s from Camp Kawayan, there are a few haters, saying Angelique is more deserving. Well, based on the Lives, Isa indeed made a stunning performance. This pretty girl dressed elegantly in angelic white, revealed her unique tone, with her soulful rendition of You’ve Got a Friend. Some even compared her soulful voice to Alicia Keys. I was impressed. Like many others, I initially thought she was an Agot Isidro – decent pretty lady who can sing, but not as well. I was proven wrong. Some haters say she’s so OA. I disagree. Remember Isa is a worship leader. When workship leaders sing, they sing their hearts and even intestines out, baring their souls to worship God. That’s just how she sings… and not doing it primarily just to win your votes… I think!

Result: In the end, Isa remained and Angelique was axed. Happy? We got no choice. One has to leave.

Obviously, as you might have guessed, I’m a fan of Team Bamboo. I admire their originality, voice quality, musicality and soulfulness. These might not be winnable traits, but are certainly what I want to see in the local music scene. We  already have a lot of good power belters like Angeline Quinto, Jonalyn, Sheryn Regis, Mau, Frenchie Dy, Regine V., PGT 3 winner, Jovit (some already laos)… nakakaumay na. We need a new breed of talents with unique tones and styles (like Yeng, Bamboo, Zia Quizon, Sitti, Aiza, Richard Poon, Rachael Ann Go, KZ, and Ann Curtis (kidding). Even Sarah has been reinventing herself, doing tasteful versions songs like Just Give Me a Reason & Englishman in New York with Bamboo without unnecessarily making birits.

Team Sarah

I don’t like the way Team Sarah was divided into 2 batches. I like all three of Team Sarah’ batch 2, and I dislike all three of Team Sarah’s batch 1. Now, one of batch 2 will leave.

1.    Yuki

Nice performance. But pretty much obvious that he’s got sore throat. Still a great show.

2.    Maki

Great performance. High range with nice tone. Very soulful. But I feel his song is a bit overstyled. I prefer his much simpler song during the battle. His range is insane.

But he seems to be a Jay Durias clone. Will this fly? Could be. His difference with Morissette is Jay Durias is not active in the industry anymore. Fans miss his voice, whereas for Morisette, the original Sarah is very much active, popular and slowly becoming an institution.

3.    Klarisse

My bet from Team Sarah. She can birit, kulot, and do all the technicalities of singing. Much like Rachael Ann Go. She’s fresh, yet she’s so pro. I hope she wins over Morissette. Why?

Let me say this… this season’s winner will be from Team Sarah, for sure. Why? Sarah has got tons of loyal followers. They will vote whoever is left with Team Sarah (even if they don’t like that artist). I hate this, but this is what will happen. I’m already seeing comments from popsters in social networks encouraging fellow popsters to get ready to vote, as they want the first TheVoicePH winner to come from Team Sarah. It totally defeats the purpose. The Voice of the Philippines will not be the best vocal talent, but will be the artist from the most popular coach. If your bet if not from Team Sarah, accept this now and you won’t be disappointed. With this, I just hope it’s Klarisse from Team Sarah. Klarisse has the qualities of a Bamboo talent. Unique quality tone and original. Remember, Bamboo and Sarah were fighting for Klarisse during the blinds.  By the way, I’m not a Sarah hater. I actually like her so much. Pretty, simple, great singing style, can dance and act, humble and kind. I just don’t like the concept of The Voice of Sarah G.

Unfortunately, Klarisse was not voted by the public. Thank God she was saved by Sarah. I hope the reason she was not voted is just because she sang an unfamiliar song, or it’s just difficult to spell her name.

Team Apl

4.    Penelope

I didn’t like Penelope before the Lives due to her doll-like voice (much like Tuesday Vargas). But when she sang Ordinary People, I became a fan. This for me is one of the top 3 Live performances. It was very sexy and classy, and it was perfection as Lea said it. Some pronunciation problems, but she gave justice to my favorite John Legend song.   

5.    Tristan

Tristan indeed sounds like Bruno Mars. His problem is, sometimes he hits the high notes, sometimes he doesn’t. During the Battle, he was like mommy Eva, forcing that super high note in his song. In the end, it seemed off-tune. But for the Live, I think he hits the notes. Unfortunately for him, he’s up against Penelope and Janice, who are far better singers with zero faults. Knock-out!

6.    Janice

Well, she truly flew high. She’s the Airbus of the show. J  She’s a pro, so to me, Radha and Janice are quite the same. She belts like a jumbo jet A320, thus has a chance of winning the votes of birit-loving pinoys.

Team Lea

7.    Diday

She can sing. But she lacks the volume, emotions and sexiness needed by her big Adelle song.

8.    Kimpoy

Unique voice, like no other. We don’t have a Kimpoy in the music scene.  Her Hallelujah was far from Bamboo’s, but certainly heavenly. Unfortunately, he’s not popular, maybe because he looks like a guy, at the same time, a girl, at the same a lesbian, and at the same time, a gay? But it shouldn’t matter. What matters is his voice.

I don’t know if he hits the last few notes in his song, but Lea said he did. So I’ll take it. Well done. I miss his performance with Taw. It was truly magical.

9.    Mitoy

Halimaw indeed. Big production number. Big voice. Big range. But for some reason, I don’t like him. Though he’s got a very high range, I don’t like his tone. 

Forget about the range for the meantime. Compare his singing tone with Paolo Onesa, Bugoy or Martin Nievera, singing a song which only requires low notes. Does Mitoy compare in terms of vocal quality? This is what I’m saying. If a singer shows high range, we pinoys instantly get impressed. We equate it as a measure of singing excellence, easily overshadowing the singer with the better tone. Will he deliver a good performance if he sang what Darryl Shy, Paolo or Lee Gane had sung in the Lives? I think not. I don’t know how to describe it, but his singing voice sounds like a speaking voice, lacking depth and quality. Yes, he’s got the range of James Ingram, but his tone is far from Ingram’s, thus I’m not impressed.

But it’s just me, against 10M pinoys. Clearly, the crowd likes him, and he proves it by getting the groove of Resorts World and 80% of the votes. He makes birit like no other. If there’s a non-Team Sarah that has a high chance of winning The Voice, it’s this monster. I’m not happy L. If he wins, will he have a staying power in the industry? Hmmm… well, he’ll be up competing with the market of Jovit Baldevino, Jed Madela, Ralph Salazar, and that PGT 3 winner. Will I keep his Bakit Ako Mahihiya and Don’t Stop Me Now in my ipod? No! I’d much rather listen to the quiet but soulful jamming of Team Bamboo (please adopt Klarisse and Penelope) during my chill time. How about you? Will you?

Fearless Forecast:

Next to be eliminated:

Team Bamboo: 1. Lee Grane 2. Isa

Team Sarah: 1. Eva

Team Apl:  1. Jessica

Team Lea: 1. Darryl 2. Kimpoy

About my review. This is just my opinion. I’m in no way a vocal expert. I can’t even sing. :) I’m just an ordinary viewer who appreciates good music and good talents.