“The Voice” Recap: Producing the Top 8

The top 10 finalists performed live Monday night, and to help shape their performances the coaches enlisted the support of some of music's biggest producers.

Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame was invited along by Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera was aided by the "Uptown Funk" of Mark Ronson, country producer Scott Hendricks dropped in for Blake Shelton, and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder mentored Pharrell William's charges.

With such a wealth of support to hand, the night delivered standout solo performances, along with high praise and some harsh criticisms from the coaches.

First artist to take the stage was Kimberely Nichole for Team Christina singing the Etta James hit "Something's Got a Hold on Me." Ronson gave the song a rock arrangement and Nichole turned out a high-energy performance that set the bar high for the remaining nine. Levine said Nichole has a shot at winning the whole competition.

Levine and Stewart encouraged Joshua Davis to show his range with James Bay's "Hold Back the River." Levine admitted that "in some ways [such risks] didn’t pay off," but the performance did succeed in showing he can handle his higher register.

Team Blake’s Hannah Kirby wanted to "let it all out" with her performance of "Shout" by Tears for Fears, a song Shelton was at first hesitant about. Kirby delivered a big, 1980s sound to match the anthem and showcased her ability to command the physical stage.

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Southern soul singer Meghan Linsey chose "Home" by Marc Broussard and was encouraged to be passionate in her delivery by Coach Blake and Hendricks. Perhaps it was the personal connection she felt to the song about growing up in Louisiana, but whatever the impetus Aguilera and Levine deemed it her best performance so far, with Aguilera adding that Linsey's "vocals were insanity."

Technically and emotionally Team Pharrell's Koryn Hawthorne connected with Ed Sheeran's interpretation of "Make It Rain" to deliver a heartrending performance that had the coaches all but wiping away tears.

Last week's save, Deanna Johnson chose "Somebody to Love" by Jefferson Airplane. At times the big song proved a challenge for the 17-year-old, but Johnson wowed with her vocal range and Coach Adam said she finally looked like she was having fun and that he was pleased to see her confidence growing. Aguilera did not appear sold, however, saying "Wow...that sounded pretty challenging."

When it comes to range few in the competition have delivered like Team Christina's Rob Taylor, who performed "A Song for You" by Donny Hathaway. Ronson's arrangement catered to that vocal strength with Taylor stunning the coaches with his high notes.

Country-hopeful Corey Kent White chose "Unwound" by George Strait, adding a rock edge via Coach Blake and Hendricks. Shelton's suggestion to perform without a guitar allowed White room to showcase how dynamic he can be on stage, even with a lyrical flub Shelton highlighted during his critique.

Team Pharrell's 16-year-old Sawyer Fredericks has led the iTunes chart race this season and Monday chose "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls. It took Fredericks time to warm to the song, only reaching his potential and full control over the material as his performance was drawing to a finish.

Closing out the evening's performances was Team Christina's India Carney with the Whitney Houston hit "Run to You." Keeping her vibrato under control Carney hit all the right notes in a song that is not easy to conquer under Houston's vocal shadow. "You made the song your own beautiful thing," Aguilera said.

The top eight will be announced Tuesday night starting at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

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