James Taylor compares 'Voice' contestant to Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin

It’s not every day that a legend like James Taylor agrees to mentor a TV singing competition. And it’s certainly not every day that a legend like James Taylor compares a TV singing competition contestant to legends like Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin. But that is exactly what happened Monday on The Voice, when “Mega-Mentor” James heard Team Blake diva Toneisha Harris’s masterful cover of Rihanna’s “Diamonds.” How sweet it is to be loved by him, indeed. On a night packed with many great singers (and many tough choices faced by the coaches), James — who signed on to advise Season 18’s Knockout Rounds after producers apparently pursued him for years — was generous with his praise. He seemed thrilled to be on the set, actually stating it was an “honor” for him to appear on The Voice, which he called “hands-down, the most positive and effective” talent show on television. He was also impressed by Toneisha’s Knockouts opponent, Cedrice (whom Blake Shelton had stolen during the Battle Rounds), describing this pairing as “what singing is all about.” But while James loved Cedrice’s attitude and gratitude and likened her vocal “fluidity and dexterity” on another Rihanna song, “Love on the Brain,” to Baked Alaska — “warm and piercing at the same time” — he truly had Toneisha on the brain. “There’s an effortlessness about it,” he said of the 44-year-old soul belter’s powerful vocal style. “I’d compare her with Streisand, or I’d compare her with Aretha. She’s really something. What a beautiful voice!” Toneisha, one of the contestants most excited to work with James — she could barely even enter the rehearsal room, she was so giddy — couldn’t help but tear up as James encouragingly embraced her. Over on the main stage, Toneisha did James proud and lived up to his hype with a flawless, finale-worthy tour de force that had all four coaches leaping to their feet. Of course she won this Knockout — but that was a shame for Cedrice, one of this season’s most compelling performers, who probably would’ve prevailed if she’d been pitted against just about anyone else. But as it turned out, Kelly Clarkson, who once declared Cedrice the “hottest woman alive,” apparently still had love for Cedrice on her brain — because she swooped in for the Steal. This now makes Kelly Cedrice’s third coach of the season. (“You have to stop doing this to me!” Cedrice laughed with relief.) But maybe the third time will be the charm. Regardless, I am sure that James Taylor was pleased with how this all turned out. So for now, we know that both Toneisha and Cedrice are moving on to the Live Playoffs (which likely will not be “live” at all, since, like rival show American Idol, The Voice will have to conduct of the rest of this season remotely due to coronavirus concerns). But Monday also featured the series’ first-ever four-way Knockout — sort of Season 18’s version of the Island of Misfit Toys, similar in intention to the failed Comeback Stage rounds of recent seasons, with four contestants who lost their respective Battles giving it one last go. With no applicable Saves or Steals, only one of these four singers would advance via this week’s pubic vote.

Video Transcript

TONEISHA: (SINGING) Fine light, and a beautiful sea. I choose to be happy.

JAMES TAYLOR: Toneisha may have as good a voice as I've heard so far in this group of singers.

TONEISHA: (SINGING) Oh!

- The knockouts concluded on "The Voice" Monday as the coaches, along with mega-mentor James Taylor, prepared their artists to perform against one of their teammates. But one singer in particular had James thinking he found a diamond in the rough.

JAMES TAYLOR: There's an effortlessness about it. I'd compare her with Streisand, or I'd compare her with Aretha. She's really something. What a beautiful voice.

- Big statement coming from the five time Grammy award winner and Rock n Roll Hall of Famer. In fact, Toneisha, who was initially so excited to work with James, she could barely enter the room, teared up over his compliment.

JAMES TAYLOR: You're doing the most remarkable things. And it seemed so effortless. World class vocalist.

- So you probably already guessed that Toneisha won the knockout round. And if you were worried about her opponent Cedrice, whom Kelly Clarkson has deemed the hottest woman alive, don't worry. Kelly finally got her diamond in the rough.

CEDRICE: You have to stop doing this to me!

KELLY CLARKSON: I had to steal Cedrice because there's no one like her on the show. She's got this different vibe from everybody else. She's very peaceful, but very passionate. And just a really great singer.