I hate bad weather.
Not so much because I'm afraid of it (totally respect you, though, Mother Nature); but it really screws around with "The Voice."
I know we live in Oklahoma, and I'm VERY thankful for our attentive meteorologists, so it's all understandable that Dan Threlkeld had to break-in on Monday's "Voice" semi-finals.
Of the eight remaining "Voice" contestants I saw this evening, I only saw five. Thankfully, that included Jamar Rogers, the Booker T. Washington alum on Cee Lo Green's team, who sang a fabulous version of "If You Don't Know Me By Now."
I liked it better than any version I've ever heard -- much more soulful, with a surprise ending when he went deeper with the last note.
Blake Shelton thought it was the most laid-back thing Jamar had done yet, with Christina Aguilera chiming in that she "got motivated to start singing."
Another favorite of mine was Jermaine from Team Blake, singing "Open Arms" -- again, probably my favorite version of that song, including the original and Mariah Carey's version.
"You are no longer a background singer," competing coach Adam Levine said. "Today, you're in the front."
"You're peaking at the right time in this competition," Blake told his protege.
The night started off with Tony from Team Adam. Although he rocked last week with a cover of Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time," he was AWESOME with "How You Like Me Now" -- which I sorta-kinda hoped was a flip-off to Xtina (love her, but still).
"I've been a bad, bad, bad, bad man" he sang -- so good.
"What a way to get the show started!" host Carson Daly said.
"That's probably the version that I like ...," Blake said. "That was bad ass!"
"Definitely more slickly done," Xtina said. "Nice job."
Then, she just had to throw in, "If this doesn't work out, you and Adam can definitely start a Britney cover band!" Beotch.
"I became a fan of you tonight," Cee Lo said, slightly deflecting attention from the diva -- who, I gotta wonder, may have been asked to be snarky. You know, to get people talking (a.k.a., spark even higher ratings -- like they even have to worry about that).
Anyhoo, Erin from Team Blake sang "Without You" and did a lovely job -- but not as lovely as the other four folks I heard sing. She seemed to have a slightly shaky beginning, but it got much better as it went along.
"I would give anything to have a tenth of the talent you have," Blake told Erin, who started crying as soon as the song was over. Considering what an emotional year she's had, what with her dad's passing and just being in front of millions of people, Lord knows no one can blame her.
Chris from Team Xtina sang a gorgeous version of "Ave Maria." Much as I loved it, I couldn't help but think how it might not resonate with voters as much as the other rock and pop stuff does. But am I cutting America short?
"You lend to the show credibility," Adam said of his singing something classical.
It moved Xtina enough that she got out of her chair, went onstage and hugged him. (But was she just trying to show off that tiara? Hmmm ...)
I only got to hear a snippet of Katrina's "Killing Me Softly," which it was doing as soon as the weather interrupted what surely was a fantastic performance. Love, love, LOVE her.
So what did y'all think? Granted, most of you were watching KJRH, too, and didn't see everything; but if you've had time to YouTube it since, what are your thoughts?
Check out Wednesday's Tulsa World for the story on Tuesday's results.
Peace, love and Jamar Rogers ... XOXO
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