‘The Voice’ recap: The Top 11 take the stage

The Top 11 artists — along with coach Pharrell Williams, who sang his musically repetitive, lyrically clunky, yet curiously catchy hit “Freedom” — performed on “The Voice” on Monday night. The performances ranged from solid to stellar. And in honor of Thanksgiving week, the contestants’ family members sat in on their rehearsals, which gave us a chance to marvel at family resemblances and listen to the vocalists’ moms, dads and wives brag about them. Sweet.

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Here’s how the singing played out:

Shelby Brown (Team Adam): Adam Levine hoped his team’s sole country singer would show humor and sass with “You and I” by Lady Gaga. She also showed off her vocal power and apparent deep love of giraffes (making Levine promise to buy her one if she did well) and Alabama (giving a shout out to her home state). Blake Shelton said it was his favorite performance of Brown’s. Williams observed that, although Brown wanted a giraffe, she was “raging like a lion.” And Gwen Stefani marveled at Brown’s tender years (she’s just 17) but advised her to use the “growl” in her voice more sparingly. Levine admitted that he wasn’t sure how he was going to deliver the promised giraffe, but said Brown deserved one because she “killed it” (the song, not the giraffe).

Evan McKeel (Team Pharrell): In recent performances, McKeel has targeted an upbeat, inspiring vibe and overshot the mark, his enthusiasm tipping over into manic territory. This time out, with Nat King Cole’s “Smile,” he struck a much subtler tone, sitting still on a stool, calmly playing guitar and singing. Never mind that silhouetted dancer flipping her hair and dress behind him. Stefani said it was McKeel’s best performance because he’d let his voice “just shine.” Williams said his team member had created a “super-intimate moment” and allowed people to see who he really was.

Barrett Baber (Team Blake): Shelton’s tall, red-headed, plaid-shirt-wearing doppelganger gave Tanya Tucker’s country classic “Delta Dawn” his own hard-stomping, rock-it-out treatment, prompting Stefani to compliment him on the way he was able to “command” the room and “control everybody.” Levine called Baber an “energetic … showman.” And Shelton said Baber had taken everyone “to church” with “a song that has nothing to do with going to church.”

Korin Bukowski (Team Gwen): Snatched back from the brink of elimination last week, Bukowski gave a beseechingly pretty performance of Mandy Moore’s “Only Hope.” One wonders, however, if Bukowski’s singing packed the power it probably needed for her to further prolong her time on the show. Levine complimented her on making the music she wanted to make and doing things her own way, perhaps sounding a valedictory note. Williams said he thought Bukowski was “on the right path.” And Stefani said she was delighted Bukowski got a chance “to shine … all sparkly and beautiful and confident” and convey her message to the world.

Amy Vachal (Team Adam): In another inspired Adam Levine song pick, Vachal tackled Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” bringing the song a different kind of gorgeous playfulness and a power and control that seemed to break new ground for the beautiful singer. Shelton called it his “favorite vocal” of Vachal’s, said it showed off her “lower register,” and shared his dream of hearing Vachal do a “flip” on his song “Boys ‘Round Here” (an intriguing thought …). Williams urged everyone to buy the song on iTunes. And Levine said Vachal was winning by taking her “own approach” to cover songs and showing off her “artistry.”

Zach Seabaugh (Team Blake): This leading-man-handsome 17-year-old riled up his young female fans with Thompson Square’s “Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not,” a song Shelton noted was, yes, “sweet” and “flirty,” but also one sung “out of frustration.” Stefani said she felt like it was “cheating” for Seabaugh to do a song like that “because you already have all the cute girls who want to vote for you.” Levine said Seabaugh wasn’t only “cute,” but also could sing. Shelton said it was a “big night” for the young man, showing off his Elvis vibe and his “spot on” singing.

Madi Davis (Team Pharrell): Another absurdly talented teen, Davis put it all out there with U2’s “Love Is Blindness.” Her lush tone and consistent growth have made her a season favorite (at least, for me). Finishing her powerful performance, she remained poised, but left many — especially her own father — in tears. Levine said he had had “no idea” Davis had had a performance like that in her. Shelton called it “the best performance of the night so far” and the “perfect match of artist and song.” And Williams seemed at a loss for words, chanting Davis’ first name with wonder and rushing up to hug her … twice.

Braiden Sunshine (Team Gwen): His decision to do a classic rock song last week may have been a slight stumble, but Sunshine recovered his footing this time around, bringing his own emotional truth and pure-voiced youth to Spandau Ballet’s “True.” The 15-year-old singer more than staked his claim to stick around with one particularly impressive sustained note. Shelton called the performance “just magic.” Williams expressed wonder at Sunshine’s “subtle small runs” and control. Stefani said Sunshine brought out the “mom” in her, calling him “so good” and “so cute” and his singing “so tasteful.”

Jordan Smith (Team Adam): Already positioned as a singer who encourages listeners to embrace their own differences, Smith amplified that message of self-acceptance with Jessie J’s “Who You Are.” Williams complimented Smith on his “attention to detail,” effortlessness and ability to convey “intention.” Levine called Smith “one of the best performers” he knows.

Emily Ann Roberts (Team Blake): Roberts amply justified Shelton’s obvious confidence in her talent and future success, looking beautiful and capable and ready to take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry with the Judds’ “Why Not Me,” on which she accompanied herself on guitar. Williams said the 17-year-old country singer had a “classic” sound well beyond her years. Shelton assured her she would “be around for a long, long time,” and not only on “The Voice.”

Jeffery Austin (Team Gwen): Austin said singing a Robyn song — “Dancing on My Own” — on national TV as a gay man was a “dream come true”; stepping out surrounded by no shortage of mirrored disco balls, he definitely made the most of the moment. Levine said he always looked forward to hearing Austin sing, calling his vocal tone “really special.” Shelton said it occurred to him, as Austin was singing, that he could win the competition this season, making Stefani “the first female coach to ever win ‘The Voice.’” Stefani said she had been moved to tears by the performance and was “grateful” to know Austin and “be part” of his journey on the show.

Who will head home this week? I have a hunch we could be bidding Bukowski, sweet and talented as she may be, a sad so long. But we’ll soon see ….