All Directions

The level of this (the musicianship, the artistry of the lyrics) rises so far above some of the indie crap that had come up in this list so far...

Man, the Temptations... What a wildly schizophrenic band. I feel like most of their albums have the same issue. You'll be grooving along to some truly quality funk and then, all of the sudden, it switches to track after track of doo-wop, Jackson 5 style R&B. Just stick with the monster funk, guys! It's so good when you're just funkin' it up.

Groovy. Interesting lyrics for 'Run Charlie Run' but a powerful message. 'Papa was a rolling stone' is a phenomenal single from this album and I know it well. Even though this song sits on permanent rotation in my spotify playlist, I enjoyed every second of this version. It holds it's breath in suspense, setting the mood with anticipation. When the lyrics finally fly, it's the most powerful they've ever felt. Love the ending riff for Do Your Thing. This album is criminally short. Such is the nature of the vinyl record.

Maybe because I'm used to their more upbeat songs but this album was a drag. Maybe the songs work on their own but together it was a single melody, slow and depressing.

Super funky and socially conscious. I can dig it.

Funky, surprisingly topical, and filled with the feeling of grooving in the summer in your youth.

old school R&B. I like it.

this is such a great album. absolute classic soul. all of their voices are incredible. even the 10 min song was perf. MWAH

An incredible album. Many have heard of Papa Was A Rolling Stone, but many of the tracks on this already short album are striking pieces.

These guys sure traveled a long way from "My Girl" and "Just My Imagination." And they still have the ability, I just don't like the music as much. There are still some pop sensibilities in pleasant adaptations like "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," but they stand oddly next to what is mostly a funk album. And they do funk pretty well, but it's largely unremarkable. Though I do gave some remarks. Now I know that, the next time I'm at a track or cross country meet, and no matter who I'm rooting for, I should never yell, "Run, Charlie, Run!" This album has already saved me from that fallout. Why is the intro to "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" is long? There is no reason for this song as a while to be this length. It's good enough funk, but was this from a 70s Cop Movie with very long credits or a porn flick where the guy just couldn't finish? Mother Nature is one of my more favored tracks. You can feel Marvin Gaye's 60s give way to the 70s, and it's a decent song, but it's just a bit flat emotionally like the bulk of the album.

Good album, but I think they have better tunes on other albums.

I always knew Papa Was a Rolling Stone was a Certified Banger™, and I am very happy to see the rest of the album has no trouble matching it's prowess.

Funky rollercoaster of emotions? Yes please! To think they almost didn't include "Papa" and "Run Charlie Run", and that they expected the album to flop because of these songs, is completely insane. Papa is the only song in this album that I was already familiar with (and love!). Discovering the others was an absolute treat. Was dancing and groovin' from the first track. "Do your Thing" will probably be the soundtrack to those days when I need a little extra motivation from the heavens. And boy does Otis Williamses' baritone voice get me every time. Don't know another voice like it.

Pure funk. Very cool.

Classic - loved hearing papa was a rolling stone. Really funky. And surprised to hear “the ni**as are coming”

Good songs here and there, but overall really not my style...

I guess the clue is in the title - its called All directions and musically it goes all over the place. Papa was a rollin stone is a cinematic classic next to which everything else pales. I think just scrapes a 4 as the funky tunes out weigh the schmaltz.

All Directions Strangely the version of this on Tidal is missing Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, it just goes from track 2 to track 4. It might be a rights issue, but the song is on Tidal on other Temptations albums and compilations. It's a bit annoying to have to skip around to listen to it all in the right order, luckily though it's a fantastic track. It seems like Funky Music Sho’ ‘Nuff Turns Me On is actually fake ‘live’, which is both strange and perplexing, as a proper studio version would be great - it’s an excellent song with superb vocals but this just sounds murky and indistinct and the stereo mix seems a trifle strange too. Run Charlie Run is a great bit of non-singalon funk-soul, and sounds like Funky Music should. Papa is of course a classic, and completely justifies its 11 minutes. Love Woke Me Up This Morning is a classic bit of throwaway Temptations syrupy balladry, the piano is great and as always the vocals are excellent, making a fun confection but one that ultimately doesn’t last long on the tongue/ears. I Ain’t Got Nothing I really loved; great melody, vocals and Shoo-wop-shoo-wops as well as an excellent string arrangement, a nice counter to the rather cloying string arrangements either side. Vocally it’s a fantastic version of First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, the piano and bass supporting very nicely, but the strings are a touch too saccharine and I feel like they pull the song under a little. Love the timpani on Mother Nature and another great lead vocal, leading nicely into the superb Do Your Thing Alongside the uniformly fantastic vocals, harmonies and vocal arrangements the Funk Brothers playing is magnificent, but the bass playing is particularly excellent, melodic and rhythmic with a great tone and no hints of overplaying - which you would expect with Bob Babbitt and James Jamerson’s playing. Overall it is a slight oddity in its sense of thrown together unevenness, but with the vocals and playing making up any shortfalls it’s never unlistenable, and in Papa there is one absolute classic and four excellent tracks in Run Charlie Run, I Ain’t Got Nothin’, Mother Nature and Do Your Thing. It’s just a shame they didn’t do a proper version of Funky Music to really elevate it. As it is it makes it into the low-mid 4s 🧭🧭🧭🧭 Playlist submission: Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone

Variable as an album, with not everything successful, but some great Motown along the way, and that version of Papa was a Rollin' Stone is insanely good.

Love this. Funky first half, ballad side B. Beautiful arrangements and playing by the Funk Brothers, terrific vocals, and a-grade repertoire choices. And it has 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone' in its glorious full 12 minute version, which is the high-water mark of psychedelic soul. The Temps themselves didn't really go for the funky material (especially Papa Was A Rollin' Stone), fearing it was more about Norman Whitfield's arrangements and production (true), and less like the ballad material they were more comfortable with. But the amazing cinematic soul expanse of Whitfield's production on Papa is an absolutely landmark. Whitfield had a great ear for what was happening, with much of the material on the album covers of previous singles (and likely picking up The First Time I ever Saw Yoru Face from the placement of Roberta Flack's version in Play Misty for Me, just before it was released as a single). Whitfield could hear the possibilities in the songs and arranged them into something new and different, clearly influenced by Isaac Hayes' unhurried and spacious production approach to soul The politics are sometimes a little wonky. The Temps really didn't like the lyrics to Run Charlie Run, a clumsy statement on white flight with repeated and prominent use of the n-word, and were uncomfortable with the presentation of black fathers in papa, which didn't align with their own experiences. But the playing is majestic, one of the last great works of the Detroit-based Funk Brothers before Motown moved all their operations to LA. The legend is that James Jamerson walked out of the Papa session because he hated playing the same simple riff for so long. But the tension between the singers, the musicians and producer Whitfield (and songwriter Barrett Strong) create a master work, even if they could never work together in combination again. They created one last masterpiece before they went their separate ways. Postscript; shortly after writing this review, I found a copy in the $1 bin of Real Groovy Records, Auckland, NZ. For the win!

The whole is less than the sum of its parts somehow in this case. So many stone cold classics that don’t quite add up to a cohesive album. It’s more like a greatest hits I guess. Still gets a 4 though

Solid even though 'Papa' feels like the centerpiece. I like the more upbeat songs over the ballads.

Nicely understated and surprisingly enjoyable. Of it's time great vocals and musicianship.

I feel like this record was never re-mastered but maybe I’m mistaken. Just saying that the quality is not the best. Overall surprisingly melancholic after it started with the live opening track (a bop.) I did not know that this was where Papa was a rollin‘ stone became popular. An interesting musical snap shot of the 1970s for sure.

The Temptations were one of the most popular Progressive Soul groups of the late 60's and early 70's and with this, their most popular release, they put out some of their best known and most influential songs, mainly 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' which is a staggering 11 minutes long which goes to show that they didn't really needed to sacrifice artistic value to stay relevant. From a today's perspective, their music might not have aged as well as maybe Marvin Gaye's or Stevie Wonder's but they aren't to be messed with overall. The Deep Funk inspired Soul song 'Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On' starts things off with a live introduction that adds the (probably) studio recorded instruments on top that features nice playing as well as some very catchy backing vocals that make this song very easy to vibe with. Although it sometimes feels like the song lacks substance and isn't fully fleshed out into what it might've been in its final form but it's regardless of that a really nice song with a ton of great moments. It gets even funkier with 'Run Charlie Run' which has a really funny hook which seems to be influenced by some stuff by The Last Poets and in that regard might've influenced a lot of early Hip-Hop. Again, it does feel unfinished and has a certain lack of substance even if it's very fun to listen to, there isn't much to hold onto. It's really good but it kind of ends there. The very Progressive Soul sounding and long playing 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' is THE song of the album. A lot might've known it before and it's become an absolute classic in the Prog-Soul scene working as a kind of blueprint for later appearing artists. The psychedelic sound that plays with different dreamy instruments and even some interesting guitar effects that over the span of the song build up into more and more tension that stays interesting and funky. I do think that the vocals appear at a weird time. They should've either came much earlier or even later but at the moment they appear, it feels just off. But even with that, they manage to pull it back into making a really catchy chorus that sadly vanishes too early. It's overall a really interesting and really good song but there are so many things that I would've changed about it, mainly the structure and the building of tension, that in the end, I cannot think of it higher than "really good". Nothin totally mind changing and definitely not perfected to the fullest potential. On Side 2, 'Love Woke Me Up This Morning' brings in a lot of Smooth Soul performances that beautifully mix with the piano and strings and create a really lovely sound with the different vocalists that all work together. I do think that the mixing is a little bit off and too raw and also the song ends way to early to be really anything substantial. It's nice, don't get me wrong but it feels like an interlude. The smooth vocals stay on 'I Ain't Got Nothing' which would've been really good if they didn't add the weird "Shoo-wop-shoo-wop" hooks at the weirdest and most unfitting times that totally disrupt the song and make it annoying at these times. It's just not needed or adding anything "quirky" to it. I really do not care for what they did here at all in the end. 'The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)' might be the best of the Smooth Soul songs here mainly because it features the best vocal performance as well as the best arrangements even if both are mixed really weirdly. It's not a crazy song or anything too special but it's fine. On 'Mother Nature' they return to more typical approach to Soul that mainly shines with the different arrangements as well as the tension that it builds. It sounds like it's working towards one of the catchiest choruses ever made but that just doesn't appear. That doesn't make the song bad but it does make it feel pretty redundant even with the trumpets and the incredible vocals. It's nice to listen to but again, not like it has too much substance within. The final song, 'Do Your Thing' returns to more Funk while still being majorly Soul with some actually catchy moments that are really enjoyable. The piano especially as well as the hook are some real standouts here. It's a really good song and easily one of the best on the album. favourites: Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On, Run Charlie Run, Do Your Thing least favourites: I Ain't Got Nothing Rating: strong 6 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

i'm a big fan of motown in general, but it's obvious that, production-wise, the temptations truly were at their best with norman whitfield at the helm. this album is the pinnacle of that. of course, as always, the temptations' vocals and arrangements are top notch, the production, as previously mentioned, is great and although not as groundbreaking as the temptations' 'cloud nine' with this production style, but is a continuation and elevation of that style. whitfield's trademark lush orchestration and funk instrumentation is incredibly important and still great to this day. i think what prevents this album from going from good to great is the crop of songs. the first side is great and funky - especially with what may be the temptations' magnum opus ('papa was a rollin' stone'). the second side is a lot slower and ballady and, even though i know the temptations were very fond of soft, sensitive ballads, i don't know that i like them as well from them as opposed to their more upbeat fare. their cover of 'the first time ever (i saw your face)' is, quite frankly, kind of boring. i can deal with the rest but it does feel like it kills the pacing of the album.

Soulful Funk to get down to. the 12 minute version of Papa was a Rolling Stone is enough to make this an epic album. Masters of tension and release.

When temptations get funky, it's as much a matter of grooving the afterlife of a nightcap as it is calling out the hypocrisies of our social reality. That is, it's about getting real, real, real: 'I watch you go to church on Sunday / But you forget all you learned on Monday'; 'Talkin' about saving souls and all the time leechin'.' It's funky b/c it's no piece of cake to admit as much, let alone sing it w/ urgency and a fire liable to blaze up the entire network that oppresses in the name of god's eternal love. But it's also sweet as can be, especially on 'Love Woke Me Up This Morning' and their exquisite cover of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.' Maybe it's a reckless take, but can you find me a more perfect record? Better, perhaps. But not as seamless.

So nostalgic! I got the temptations' cloud nine in my very first day of the generator, and today, 100 (!) Days later, I get another one from them. Can't wait to listen to it and get a small break, from which I will be back with more power! Starts with two high energy soul tracks which sets the tone great for the massive track 3. Papa was a rolling stone. A masterpiece of a track. From the writing, to the vibe, the progression and production, and the incredible vocal delivery. Wow. Track 4 is the perfect continuation to the album. An absolute beautiful romantic song. Perfection from the vocals once again. 5, to continue this trend, just stunning. 6, I new before from Roberta Flack. It's a great song and this rendition is wonderful. Soft and smooth. 7 groovy and souly as hell 8 , wow, the funk. Just great. So much fun What a great album.  Like it even more than the previous one. It starts a bit slow for me, a bit to usual soul, but the kicks an untouchable medley from track 3 to the end. It's a very very very strong 4.5 You know what, I feel good today Lets give it a

Oh how fun. The Tempations. I definitely am aware of these guys. I do enjoy this band very much when they come on the speakers. Being able to check out a full album, down for. So far so good. Lots of soul and fun!

nice

Papa was a rollin stone!

This is not what I thought a Temptations album would be like. I was pleasantly surprised. Very enjoyable listen.

When I was like 10, my father told me "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was one of the greatest songs ever written. I accepted it as a child often does, unquestioningly. It went in all of my greatest hits mixes, and I occasionally would bring it out around my friends, to show off my musical acumen, as I am a child of the 80s and many of them were unfamiliar. Now, with the wisdom of decades, and my own children becoming teenagers, my belief in the truth of that statement is stronger. Great song. Incredible engineering. As a recording, as a performance, I don't think I could come up with a GOAT list that didn't include it. Rest of the album slaps too.

I put the “GRR” in swinger baby! This album starts off with so much funk it’s like from an Austin powers movie. I really didn’t know what to expect because tbh the only temptations song I really know is my girl so I was expecting this to be kinda cheesy but I was pleasantly surprised about the craftsmanship of this album! The production quality is excellent. The variety of musical styles: funk, soul, r&b, jazz are all on display. I had a great time

Amazing! Where has this been all my life.

Toe tappin

Love this album

EXCELLENT - 5 Star It's just Motown!

Soul defined!

So far, my favorite album from the 1001generator. Five Stars! Makes me dance like a 1960s Go Go girl!

Absolutely brilliant. The famous Funk Brothers (band) are all here, creating sleek, tight, filthy funk. String arrangement are sublime. Lyrics are astounding. Of course, the 12 minute cover of Papa Was A Rolling Stone is here, and it is one of the greatest songs and performances ever recorded. The other songs here are powerful and often brazen. This album is unabashedly Black. All vocals are 100% on point. And the soft songs are lush and soul full. I'd never listened to this 35 minute masterpiece of an album. And I'm glad I have it now. 5 of 5 stars.

Sometimes you stumble on to something that ticks all the boxes. "All Directions" is that kind of album for me. Has funky ass instrumental sections, the vocals are raw and powerful, slower jams, uptempo cuts, and I'm a sucker for doo-wop, no matter the naysayers! This album is a new favorite!

Full of epic songs, the Temptations finally arrived to be first class, even though they hovered around that level throughout their existence. 4.5/5

DISCONE

I was in a more modern earth based Star Wars battle and I was the perceived bad guy. I kept switching between young man to adult. Somewhere di osaurs were involved and I took cover with a man who wa tedto trade books. Things became too much about how fleeting life is when thinking about how on this planet goats lived to be 500

This was actually a really good album that I loved listening to!

9/10. Classic. Tons of talent and lots of fun.

This was wonderful. Not sure why but I was surprised how much I enjoyed this album!

Really fab listen. The harmonies on the vocals are superb and the overall vocal sound heavenly. The real boy bands in my opinion. Absolutely brilliant. As for papa was a rolling stone .....🫠😍

Like the first breath of spring after a long winter, this is an album that whispers to the heart, caresses the soul, and takes you on a journey in every direction, the healing power of which will linger with you long after the music fades.

Great album, the Temptations are much more varied than I realized.

Super funky. I love the long, drawn-out songs and time they take in papa was a rolling stone. Just overall cool

Never was a fan of this type of electronica.

Funky and real

Very good, very different from what I thought of in my head when I think of the Temptations. Love it!

If it makes you say "yyyeaaaahhh" "Heeeyyeeeaaah" or just moan along, then it's probably Motown.

Nice. When I first saw this album, I was like, meeeh, here’s another piece of crap. F*** this whole "1001 pieces of sh*t" thing. But this crap turned out to not be crap at all. The opening track, "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On," is such a banger. Funk and soul were always off my radar—felt boring, you know? Like, what’s cool about a bunch of… losers trying to make music years ago? Turns out, this isn’t the first time I’ve been wrong. All Directions—an album released in 1972—but damn, it sounds so fresh. Probably because I’ve already heard it in so many places. The whole thing feels like a blueprint for records by Doom, Kanye, 2Pac, J. Cole, and one of my favorite albums, Wildflower by The Avalanches. I’m dumb. Never realized how good this kind of music actually is. Run Charlie Run, just like Papa Was a Rolling Stone, what a meaning and story behind it. Masterpieces. The only downside? Some of those bland love lyrics. You know the type: "Love woke me up this morning, I’m so glad, baby, Because of you, happiness is really mine. And my cloudy days are far behind, Every place, baby, I see your face…" God, give me a break. I usually try to keep busy just to forget about the constant loneliness and how much I hate my life. Music like this? It just pushes me deeper. While listening to this record, I kept thinking about turning it off so I wouldn’t spiral for the rest of the day. But I didn’t. And then I Ain’t Got Nothin’ came on. The second I saw the lyrics, I regretted not quitting earlier. How often do you find a song that hits too close to home? This is one of them—and that’s depressing as hell. That was the end of my “happy day.” This time, even distracting myself didn’t work. "Every fish has a bowl, and every shoe has a sole. Everybody, everybody’s got something but me. I ain’t got nothing. Now I don’t care about politics or things across the sea. All I want, all I want to do is love and have somebody love me. I need, I need somebody." Yeah… no further comment needed. The same goes for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Mother Nature—and honestly, the rest of the album. Unfortunately, the fact that this record messed with my mood and got me thinking means it’s “good.” Mother Nature stands out. The dynamics, the emotional vocals, the way the rhythm shifts—it’s perfect. Plus, the lyrics. It’s such an unconventional way to express the feeling of not belonging. That helplessness when trying doesn’t lead to anything. I fell in love with this record NEVERMIND HAHAHAHAHA i have a new

Hell yeah

A masterclass in shifting from pretty poor soul to cutting social commentary. The opening bass of Papa alone set the scene for what is to come. This is such an ambitious album. I was going to give it four stars. The First Time I Ever Saw tipped it over to five. Run Charlie Run doesn't get played on the radio today. Fancy that.

4.5 rounded up YEAH BABEY YEAH!!!!!! highlights: funky music sho nuff turns me on, papa was a rollin’ stone, love woke me up this morning (jan 10 2025)

Traccia due "the niggers Is coming" di conseguenza 5 stelle

Fantastic album. Loving the funk here and "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" is one of the best songs ever. The first song on here is good, but why the fuck does it only play out of the right ear? Other than that this is a terrific listen

Another excellent soul record that I feel is far too short! It’s funky and it’s cool, and it’s almost vaguely psychedelic at points. I really enjoyed this record. I must admit that “Run Charlie Run” caught me off guard a little bit with its lyrics, but the black power movement at the time was a hell of a beast. I don’t even really have a lot to say here, this album really speaks for itself. Excellent all around. 5*

Phenomenal voices used in timeless classics.

Bra funk!

Great

Iconic!

wowowowowowowow. so fucking good. i have a friend named charlie so run charlie run was pretty funny. 10/10

What can I say? Solid gold classic.

Magic.

Like how the instrumentation and the vocals mix, it's very smooth and clean I like the funk influences mixed with the more traditional R&B sound. Mix is a bit unconventional, as everything is pushed quite far back but it has very good stereo separation. Favorite track: Papa was a Rollin' Stone

It’s gets five stars just for Papa Was A Rolling Stone. That song slaps! A 10 minute long song with a lengthy bass melody introduction is just fantastic! I remember first listening to it and finding it crazy and unlike anything I’d ever heard before. So yeah! This album gets five stars just for that song.

yep

The Temptations are an American treasure. One of the all-time great vocal groups of any genre. This album is chock full of great songs and every one of them is top tier. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-all-directions-by-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Favourites: Run Charlie Run Papa was. A rolling stone I ain’t got nothing

Anything by the Temps is great.

Amigo, qué flow.

There’s got me through my afternoon. It’s been awhile since I’ve listened to something new and heartfelt as a vocalist. Myself. I feel like I was born in the wrong decade. I would love to do this style of music.

Total banger, every song kills

This album feels like 3 parts: Side A (first three songs) Monster funk rhythmically and musically outstanding 5* Side B first half (songs 4-6) Cheesy R&B 2* Side B second half (songs 7-8) Beautiful and soul music with depth and passion. Do your thing is spectacular in particular 5*

Beetje psychedelische soul en Temptations met Dennis Edwards. 5/5

The lineup changes, but the groove never stops. Mellow, soulful, and thoroughly enjoyable.

A wonderfully diverse album covering a range of emotions and dynamics. There’s sweet soul and funk, classics, and songs I hadn’t heard. It’s great to listen to the Temptations outside the “greatest hits” vacuum and hear a real album. Great one here!

Great album, classic Motown sound, Papa was a Rolling Stone makes it a easy 6

One of those albums that's incredible to listen to from start to finish. The production, the use of strings and wind and funky bass add so much depth and texture. "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" is a true odyssey and probably the best thing that's ever happened.

Classic album. Gonna be a 5 star rating and if it’s not idk anything anymore. Come ON drum beat in “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” ugh I miss disco. It didn’t go anywhere, I just don’t listen to it as much anymore.

Solid tracks throughout, but this one would be worth it just for the full minute version of Papa Was a Rollin' Stone with all that crunchy Wurlitzer that was cut out of the single edit.

What an absolute treat this was. Opening with some hard funk for the first couple of tracks, followed by the massive Papa Was a Rolling Stone, and then a second side of lovely soulful ballads (including the beautiful The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face). I’ve liked the few Temptations songs I’d heard before this but never checked out a whole album, and yeah, this just ticked all the boxes for me

Loved the political track Run Charlie run and also listening more closely to papa was a rolling stone

Muito bom. Música animada inspirada no jazz. Melhor música: Run Charlie run

What are the chances? Two Temptations albums in a row. This one is easily the better of the two. Funky, soulful, and at times even edgy. Absolute banger.

Temptations are such a blast, and Papa Was A Rolling Stone is such an incredible song

Además del increible sample value que tiene, me pareció un proyecto que tiene un aspecto historico y étnico muy marcado y que lo hace sentir muy personal. la interpretación que le dieron a estas canciones que pueden ser pesadas para el oyente estan super bien hechas y casi sin errores, musicalmente hablando. Me encanto y lo disfrute buco, 9/10.

This album for certain has my favorite version of "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" that I've heard from the Temptations.

Harmonização foda entre diversas vozes e instrumentos. Já ouvi algumas vezes ele desde que foi sorteado entra os álbuns e vou ouvir muitas outras. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone é realmente fenomenal, mas as outra não ficam muito pra trás não.

Classic 1970s funk from the Temptations; the album includes one of my favourite tracks ever: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone".

Wow

Very tempting indeed. Love Run Charlie Run.

Papa Was a Rolling Stone is a masterpiece.