Much like Joshua Davis in 2015, Laith Al-Saadi represents Michigan as the oldest remaining contestant in the NBC competition, impressing judges with his voice and guitar work. His bandmate back in Michigan says he knew he’d make it to the final rounds all along.
Unlikely Star of “The Voice”: Laith Al-Saadi keeps impressing judges and fans on the NBC show.
Laith Al-Saadi strolls out onto a stage lined with cameras and beaming spotlights — graced by shimmering, makeup-clad Hollywood hopefuls in front of an overflowing crowd that includes three pensive celebrity coaches.
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He wears jeans and a grey jacket, and has a scraggly beard. His hair is shoulder length, and above his endearing smile, his glasses catch a glint of light from offstage.
Guitar Master: Al-Saadi performing on “The Voice.”
The crowd is hushed at first, but within the first few chords, Al-Saadi’s freight train of a voice hits, and the room is full of life, clapping along. He finishes with a whirlwind of a guitar solo and the auditorium erupts in applause.
That performance a couple months ago proved that this is not your typical star on NBC’s popular singing competition, “The Voice.”
“I’ve never really met anyone who can do what he does,” said Jordan Schug of Ann Arbor, who plays bass with AL-Saadi regularly. “Not only a guy that can play and sing, but who also knows so much about music and can present that knowledge to the audience. As soon as I heard that he made it on the show, I was sure he would make it to at least the final rounds.”
On Tuesday night, Ann Arbor’s Al-Saadi did just that, making it into the Top 8 of this season’s competition after earning raves for performing a Michigan classic on Monday night not on guitar, but on piano: Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonite.” (View a video of that performance below.)
Much like Traverse City singer-songwriter Joshua Davis who finished third in 2015, Al-Saadi, 38, has captured a national audience and proven himself time and time again with one powerful performance after another since his debut on “The Voice.”
As he advances, Al-Saadi will take part in the Live Semi-Final performances and the Live Semi-Final results at 8 p.m. May 16 and 17 on NBC.
‘AMAZING INSTRUMENTAL CHOPS’ WITH AN ABILITY TO ROCK HENDRIX, ZEPPELIN
“Anyone who has seen Laith play live knows that his ‘The Voice’ performances barely scratch the surface of how great he is at guitar,” Schug said. “On top of the blues, he can rock Hendrix or Led Zeppelin or The Dead and have everyone’s attention.
“So, beyond his voice, he has amazing instrumental chops, is capable in many styles and has years of experience playing live – far beyond his fellow contestants on ‘The Voice’ as far as I can tell.”
Stellar Chops: Al-Saadi performing with his band. (Photo/Steve Kennedy)
An Ann Arbor native, this savvy musician is far from the flash in the pan that other contestants seem to be. Al-Saadi is a seasoned pro, a veteran performer who can command a stage and inspire an audience. “The Voice” is simply the tip of the iceberg for those unacquainted with the blues songwriter.
After picking up his first guitar at the age of 13, Al-Saadi performed frequently through high school with the Community High School Jazz Band and with his own group, Blue Vinyl. By graduation, he’d opened for Buddy Guy, Luther Allison, Son Seals, Taj Mahal and toured to The Netherlands and back. After high school, Al-Saadi attended the University of Michigan, where he received a degree in jazz guitar and bass.
Since then, he’s performed tirelessly, and opened for Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Leon Russell, Robben Ford, Johnny Winter, Hubert Sumlin, Olu Dara, Ten Years After, Mountain, The Yardbirds and The King of the Blues himself, B.B. King, at the House of Blues in Chicago in 2006. That same year, he was crowned with royalty himself, named “King of the Blues” for the Northern Region of the United States by Guitar Center.
COVERING EVERYONE FROM ALBERT KING TO JOE COCKER
Sticking to a soulful, blues-driven approach for the competition, Al-Saadi has performed rollicking versions of Albert King’s, “Born Under a Bad Sign,” Joe Cocker’s, “With a Little Help From My Friends,” Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” B.B. King’s, “The Thrill is Gone” and this week, Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonite,” while seated at a piano.
Just ‘Scratching the Surface’: Al-Saadi on “The Voice.”
His cover of “Born Under a Bad Sign” soared to the No. 1 spot on iTunes’s top blues songs, he’s been featured on The Today Show, and a video of his blind audition has garnered 2 million views on Youtube.
A few weeks ago, Al-Saadi delivered what was quite possibly his most powerful performance.
In blues-rock fashion, the singer covered Ed Sheeran’s “Make it Rain” with undeniable confidence and the essence of stardom. His silhouette outlined against a darkened stage by dim lights, Al-Saadi effortlessly played out the opening guitar licks as if he was in a smoky blues club. Fans shrieked at the top of their lungs before he even sang a note.
With a rocking band following his lead, Al-Saadi growled out the verses while a trio of soulful, female backup singers volleyed the lyrics back in glorious harmony. At the apex of the song, Al-Saadi gave it everything he had, unleashing the lyrics, “Make it rain,” in a half-belt, half-growl at the top of his lungs. Lights flashed, the crowd rose to its feet, and Al-Saadi beamed one of his radiant, trademark smiles.
Next week, Al-Saadi aims to unfurl that magic all over again.
VIDEO: Laith Al-Saadi, “We’ve Got Tonight” (The Voice)
VIDEO: Laith Al-Saadi, “Make It Rain” (The Voice)
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