Having a Voice

I’ve mentioned that my favorite of the international versions of The Voice which have clips online is Australia, and this video is a good example why.  Which is all the more notable because the singer doesn’t get any chairs to turn around.

The singer performs a song that was written and sung by one of the coaches, Delta Goodrem.  And she does a very good job, but not enough to get anyone to turn – in part because it’s late in the selection process when coaches only have a few picks left and get choosy.  But the comments from the coaches (one of whom is Boy George) are so kind and thoughtful.  And then Delta asks the young women if she can come on stage to sing the number together, stunning her.  And not only do they perform together – but while singing, Delta is giving coaching tips to her.  (While also directing the band.)  And the duet is tremendous.  And blows away the other judges, who are enthusing in their comments during the number and after it’s over.  In fact, Boy George -- who may be the most impressed of all -- thinks the performance is so wonderful that he keeps suggesting they must have rehearsed it.  (It's clear from the young woman's shocked reaction that it wasn't rehearsed at all.  Beside which, why rehearse a song to later show how much better it could have been if you don't know beforehand that it won't get a chair to turn around.)  So, even though I’m sure the 21-year-old contestant was disappointed at not being selected, she probably had the thrill of a lifetime.  And for all I know, as Delta walks offstage with her after, hand-in-hand, they might have even stayed in touch, with real-world assistance.  This all, as I said, is in part why I really like the Australian version of The Voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RREuEuUUjkE