“Voice” Artist Lila Forde Sings Enchanting Cover Of “Angel From Montgomery”

Lila Forde Of Team Legend Lends Her Voice To John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery”

Members of Team Legend competed during the third round of Voice playoffs on Tuesday night (November 28). Six contestants performed, but only three of them advanced to the next stage of the competition.

One of the singers who performed that night was Lila Forde. She ended up signing a song Legend felt was “right up her alley.” That song was “Angel from Montgomery.”

The legendary John Prine wrote “Angel from Montgomery.” His original recording was released in 1971.

Three years later, Bonnie Raitt released her cover of the song. It is perhaps the most well-known version of “Angel from Montgomery” today.

The song means a lot to Raitt and her fans. She spoke about it in an interview in 2000:

“I think ‘Angel from Montgomery’ probably has meant more to my fans and my body of work than any other song, and it will historically be considered one of the most important ones I’ve ever recorded. It’s just such a tender way of expressing that sentiment of longing…It has all the different shadings of love and regret and longing. It’s a perfect expression from [a] wonderful genius.”

Did Lila Forde’s Cover Of “Angel From Montgomery” Save Her From Elimination On The Voice?

During Voice rehearsals, Forde told Legend she would love to make “community and heart-based” songs like “Angel from Montgomery.” Such songs are clearly in her wheelhouse, and she ended up delivering an enchanting performance during the playoffs.

Niall Horan said Forde’s performance was “incredible.” He went one step further, calling her one of his favorite artists he’s ever heard on the show.

Gwen Stefani offered up a compliment of her own. She told Forde she liked how she seemed to capture the original 70s feeling of the song without directly copying Prine or Raitt’s renditions.

Reba McEntire shared some praise too, saying Forde is in a whole “category by [herself].”

Legend was clearly impressed with Forde’s performance as well. She was one of the three singers he picked to advance to the next stage of the competition, alongside Azán and Mac Royals. Kristen Brown, Kaylee Shimizu, and Taylor Deneen were unfortunately eliminated.

Look below to watch Forde’s rendition of “Angel from Montgomery.” What did you think of her performance?