All Directions

Positivt överraskad. Trodde det skulle vara smör men det var funk.

Untouchable classics by the R&B masters.

Starts out with three massive, funky tunes that made me think I was in for a treat but the later tracks just dissolve into mopey, forgettable soulfulness.

I really enjoyed this and all the variety/all directions. I also recently watched sinners which is very related.

ok on the whole

Papa was a rolling stone!!

#91 Not bad, but also not very interesting. We got Cloud Nine a few weeks ago and I liked that album a lot more. Top Track: Papa Was A Rolling Stone

Kept forgetting it *while* listening to it.

Never heard the album version of "Papa was a rolling stone" before. Very glad I did. Great album. That beat is so recognisable still. My second 70's album in a row and same good score. Generator will probably tell me the 70's are my favourite decade now.

Very jazzy and I love the songs.

So aptly named for how it takes from the pop album ethos of putting together a bunch of mismatched songs and making them work. A cynical, thoughtful racial commentary song like “Run Charlie Run” into the funk odyssey “Papa Was A Rollin Stone” is a good example of the ‘All Directions’ mindset. Also is it a coincidence that this album generated with a few hours left on the 3rd of September? “I Ain’t Got Nothin” is THE song here imo. Groovy but slow, plenty of memorable moments, fantastic vocals. The following “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” is nice, but doubling down on the mellow songs by slowing things down even more was a little challenging. A strong closing track puts this at a firm 3/5

Прикольно

звучит мне лично приятно, но слишком много подобного переслушал, тут оставлю 3

Soul and a foggy morning!

Wish the rest of the album the same energy as the first 3 songs, felt like it dropped off into this slow r&bish soulful slow stuff that just halted all the momentum which never came back. Papa was a rolling stone is a straight banger, have been in the know of that song for years, love it.

Pretty alright, Papa Was A Rollin' Stone is very long though.

3/6

Very varied album that experiments with different sounds. In general very groovy and of its time. Some of the songs are played for as long as they need to as if they were just jamming. Others have a long buildup very nicely done.

Terrific!

Interesante pero no es mi estilo

An album that transcends soul, lionizes funk and anticipates hip hop. Is it a masterpiece?

I love EC. This is one of his worst Lps. :(

Funky with great vocals and just general great vibes. That is all.

3.7 i enjoyed it very much, but a lot of the songs didn’t stand out

groovy, funky, and enjoyable. papa was a rollin' stone is just fantastic. other parts lost me a bit. 4 out of 5.

Some absolute classics. High quality Lyrics and vocal arrangements

Very good album! I was expecting it to be different, but I loved it! 4.4/5

Bra! Älskar verkligen Papa Was a Rollin' Stone. Den är så bra! Resten också bra. Härlig 70-tals känsla rakt igenom.

Good but not really my style

This was an enjoyable listen waiting in BLR lounge for my flight back to LAX. The social commentary was spot on and listening in 2026 feels just as relevant and ahead of its time. I will be back. 4/5

fab - such a pleasant, fun listen

Un album bastante relajado e interesante. Grandes armonías e instrumentación.

War gut, sehr schön und kann man gut hören

I enjoyed this one. It was not what I’ve come to know The Temptations but it was surprisingly solid.

Papa Was A Rolling Stone is a great intro, but it never goes into a song. Other tracks seem to be doing great then just fade out. Some good bones here but needs some work.

Crikey, the first three songs are amazing. Loved the opening track, was completely blindsided and shocked by Run Charlie Run, then totally absorbed by all 12 minutes of the gloriously funky Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone. The last 18 minutes were much more chilled but that was fine, I was still recovering.

Track 1 is a good opener. Track 3 is a classic. Probably won’t play track 2 much though (at least not publicly - “who” is coming?!). But it all seemed to tail off after that opening. ‘Funky soul’ is always better than earnest ‘soul searching’ - but the second half of the album had too much of the latter.

Not sure how to rate an album written by a bunch of different people. Papa is the clear standout track (even this feels unnecessarily long) but the rest just doesn't come close. Just not for me I guess.

This is an album where I liked each track better than the last. Started off a little uncertain on it, but by the end I was loving it. Favorite run was definitely love woke me up to the first time ever.. those songs are definitely going into my regular rotation.

3/5. The first half of the album has some strong cuts, especially the nearly 12 minute long “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone” but past that track it mostly just becomes some very standard Soul ballads. Not bad ballads by any means, but not among the groups best either. Though I do think the closer “Do Your Thing” picks it back up a bit again with some great horn and piano pits as well as some background percussion. Definitely a mixed bag, but I enjoyed it well enough.

A major step up from Cloud Nine. So close to a five.

woooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo

70s classic song / papa was a rolling stone is unforgetable

I was pretty bummed at how unmemorable this was, beyond "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", which I had already heard before. Some good grooves on the B side, but I had to go back and listen to the A again afterward because it just didn't grab me the first time (which is not really a good thing in my mind). I thought the fake live arrangement of the first track was really strange and unnecessary (plus the mixing was terrible), and I just don't see myself listening to this often. 2.5/5 rounded up Favorite tracks: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, Mother Nature

Really funky, and a great variety of music. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone is a clear highlight. Man, what a phenomenal band.

Feel bad giving this a 3, it didn’t fit my vibe for the day. Probably a 4 on any other day

Really soulfull and easy to listen to. Great voices and a great wide choice of instruments throughout the album. Not something I would or will listen to often in the future but definitely a good time listening through it today.

The Temptations' All Directions is a very good 4.5/5 record that ultimately proves to be a rewarding listen, even if it is slightly held back in its early stages by some questionable technical choices. The album kicks off with a few rough patches—namely the subpar recording quality on "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On," though the underlying vision is clearly strong, and the jarring hard stereo panning that plagues "Run Charlie Run." However, the record quickly finds its footing and showcases the group's immense versatility through jazzy, rhythmically rich masterpieces like "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" with its catchy guitar riffs, the beautifully sung and melodic "Love Woke Me Up This Morning," and the deeply introspective groove of "I Ain't Got Nothing." As the tracklist unfolds, the vocal control shines brilliantly on "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," while "Do Your Things" delivers a consistently fun, head-nodding bounce. Yet, the emotional and sonic pinnacle of the project is undoubtedly "Mother Nature," a breathtaking, profound track anchored by flawless string arrangements, gorgeous trumpets, and a mesmerizing bassline that easily stands out as the crowning achievement of the entire album.

curti muito actually! o funky de tudo me agradou bastante podia até ter mais faixas e eu não ia ligar

Really good funk and soul album

Enjoyed this a lot esp Mother Nature

Significantly better than most of the stuff I've been subjected to by this list

Sunday, 16 August, 2026 Great album. “Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On”!

Soul/funk/RnB. Not as rocky as Parliament, not as disco as Earth Wind and Fire. It's alright! Already knew Papa Was a Rollin Stone Few ballads in there too on side B Best track (other than Papa...)- Funky Music..., I Aint Got Nothin 3 stars

Funky vibes

Ok, but old, wouldn't listen to

Didn't know the Temptations went through so many singers and sounds. Love side A, easy 4/5 stars, and will revisit, but will prob skip side B.

Ganz chillig, würd ich vll sogar nochmal hören

Funk

16. avgust 2026. 19.01h bjutiful funky album best: papa was a rolling stone

Soul is not my favourite style, but I found this albun pretty good. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is very good (clearly my favourite track). I also enjoyed some of the other tracks such as: "Run Charlie Run", "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" or "Mother Nature". I'd say this is in the 3,5 range. However, because of " Papa...", I'm giving this one 4 stars.

Groovy stuff.

63

Mid/lame , 6 Fmsntmo: 7.5 Rcr: 6 Pwars: 7 Lwmutm: 8 ⭐️ Iagn: 6 Tfteisyf: 5 🚮 Mn: 6.5 Dyt: 7

Helt ok, dårlig lyd.. Mangla også noe på Qobuz kunne det se ut som. Svak 3.

Je met la même note à tout c'est grave mais en vrai bien

It reminds me of ‘Autobahn’ by Kraftwerk. Now just hear me out. Side one makes a statement of their new direction, but flip over and you get a summary of their past. ‘Autobahn’ has the sidelong title track followed by the more pastoral excursions they’d already been peddling in. On ‘All Directions’ The Temptations start out by delivering a barrage of Psychedelic Soul peaking with their classic 12 minute version of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” at the end of side one, but then flip over, and things get decidedly smooth and slushy the funk only rising again as they close with Issac Hayes’ “Do Your Thing” Unlike ‘Autobahn’ which, to my ears works as a complementary game of two halves, here side two becomes relegated to an afterthought. It’s a shame, because almost everything on the album is more than worthy, the programming just seems lacking in confidence. Fitting an epic in to an album surrounded by 3 minute nuggets is obviously a challenge but it could have been done much more slickly. Billboard Number 2 album though, so what do I know?

Band had changed quite a bit since its heyday. David Ruffin was no longer with them. Dennis Edwards had replaced him. The Temptations were more of a singles band. Of course, I love soul music. Five vocalists. Two lead. Produced by Norman Whitfield Some songs are funky, some more soulful. Eddie Kendricks has a beautiful voice. Two stand out tracks: Run Charlie Run and Papa was a Rolling Stone. Run Charlie Run is a protest song. Pretty funny. Papa was a Rolling Stone is an anthem. A fantastic song. Good lyrics. Love woke me up this morning. A good song featuring the vocals of Eddie Kendricks A very good album. A little on the short side. Four stars

A great listen full of insightful lyrics into the past and present. The beat is steady and the instrumentals are great

Favourite track: Mother Nature

Good stuff

wow cool

(5/5) I only hope, for my kids' sake, that I die on the 3rd of September. I've repeatedly asked my father to do the same, but he stubbornly refuses. I just want to make sure there's a theme song for the funerals. That's all.. The Temptations made the bridge from the 50s-60s R&B/Doo-Wop to the more funky late-60s-70s soul unlike some of their contemporaries, and this album is that bridge. At their heart, they're still a vocal group, and some of the old habits are there especially in the slower, ballad-like tunes. But, the funk is emerging and it shines like a supernova on "Papa..". IMO, the album deserves the 5 just for that song which has been and will continue to be on permanent rotation for me. The other tracks are good or great as well, for an early 70s soul album.

Now THIS is how your rebound from a bad record! Bringing the funk, the soul, and a marvelously extended version of Papa Was A Rolling Stone (over a third of its overall run time), this one was a breathe of fresh air that didn't overstay its welcome and left plenty of time for a repeat performance. I'm going out on a strong limb saying that the mentioned track alone earns this one three stars, but the remainder (while groovy and eminently listenable) doesn't quite garner it two more. Still manages a very respectable 4.5/5 that I'm hesitant to round up without a good deal of revisiting and an improved estimation of its other tracks.

169. All Directions - The Temptations (1972) 8.9.26 Variety: 4 Adequacy: 5 Listenability: 5 Uniqueness: 4 Emotionality: 4 = 4.4 rounded down to a 4 "I can't live in this classic world/ It's killing me/ Can't you see" This one's another big blind spot for me. I've probably heard more off of this than I think ( definitely the big hit) but I'm not recognizing a lot of the song titles. I'm generally awful at that anyway, even with bands I love. I know I have more than a few of their 70s funk tracks in my 5 star iPod playlist, so I wonder how many are off of this one. My first exposure to the group was through their massive 60s run of Motown hits. That stuff is gold, and the group exists in my mindspace as maybe the platonic ideal of the genre. Them and the Supremes are the gods of Motown, and even the other great ( and possibly more exciting and interesting) acts just all exist in a level below them. My second exposure to the group was likely their extended legacy act that had various lineups and mixes of surviving members playing state fairs, and local music festivals well into the 2020s. I never got to see them live at this stage, but I assume there's always a mix of younger talent coming in to pick up the slack, and it makes me a bit sad to know that Otis Williams is the only surviving member of the classic five lineup, but he's apparently still out there getting it done I think, so that's cool. I'm a bit worried that because the only two albums by these guys on the list are both later, and while in the middle of their psychedelic soul/ funk career switch ( which by all accounts was very successful) I think they might be lesser substitutes for not having their classic runs qualify due to the rules about hits compilations, etc... So is this a middling album that was selected just because it happens to contain one of the best tracks of the 20th Century? I'm not going to discount the possibility, given some of the other stuff we've had on here. THE TRACKS Side one "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On" - Alright. Time will tell, but if this first track is an indication, we might be in good hands. This is one I remember. The guys are all on point, as to be expected, and the playing form the Funk Brothers crew is TIGHT. It's very obviously a faux live effect and while I would have much preferred a regular studio version, the chatter does not detract one bit. Everyone shines on here, but godDAMN Melvin Franklin kills with the deep "Boom boom boom boomboomboomboom"s at the end. "Run Charlie Run" - Another one I remember. Damn. The playing on this is not going to be anything less than god-tier, so I'll stop gushing too much but I'll just try and point out my favorite bits. The horns and drums get the spotlight here, and we get what must have been some shocking content from the previously very buttoned down group. Or maybe not, they had been leaning into more socially relevant material for a few years. Still though. Bracing, even today. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" - It's worth mentioning again, but this remains one of the KEY tracks in popular music history. This is by no means an original thought, but anyone under say, the age of 30, needs to take note and file this one away. SOOOOO influential and one of those rare perfectly cooked and served musical dishes that you rarely see any more. Every part of this is genius, from the amazing idea to share lead vocals on the verses, to the wah-wah guitar, the harp, the ICONIC trumpet, the bluesy electric guitar, the hand claps, the strings, the hi-hat drumming... each one of these elements is super memorable in and of itself. And the fact that all of these pieces come together in perfect harmony and to make an almost 12 minute song FLY by is a superhuman feat. As opposed to the James Brown/ P-Funk sound that would be come the other big leg of funk in the decade, this I think along with Curtis Mayfield's stuff are THE source of the more socially conscious 70s funk sound. Additionally I think much of cinema owes a debt to those two acts. Go and listen to any of the great blaxploitation soundtracks and tell me they weren't influenced by this. Long story short - it's important, influential, AND a kick ass, catchy as hell, all-timer. I'm more or less a person who is pretty respectful of differing tastes, but if you don't like this song what the fuck are you even doing? Seriously, go for a walk and think about what life choices led you here. Side two "Love Woke Me Up This Morning" - This one was not on my playlist, but sounds familiar enough. Much more sedate and safe, it's still a fine enough example of the form. This feels much more like it exists midway between their old sound and this new sound. I was hoping for all killer, and no filler, and while this is certainly not filler, it can't quite reach the highs of anything on side one. "I Ain't Got Nothin'" - This is a more successful mix of styles to me. You get the throwback reference to the Flamingo's "I Only Have Eyes for You" with the "Shoo-bop-shoo-bop"s and the still funky instrumentation. This is what confident music sounds like. "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)" - This was an interesting swing. A cover of a 50s hit by an English folk singer, later made famous by Roberta Flack earlier in the same year. This could have been some prime schmaltz, but Damon Street handles it with aplomb, using his high register to give it the light touch required. And the instrumentation remains tasteful, and avoids the cheesy string arrangement version that this could have very easily descended into. Seems like we've had a run of great prom slow dance songs recently, and this is another great example. As good as it is though, man - do yourself a favor and go listen to the Roberta Flack version. She kind of owns it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSrKff0w6CU "Mother Nature" - We get a master class in soulfulness from Dennis Edwards and his slightly ragged, experienced sounding vocals sending the emotionality into the upper atmosphere. Very downbeat and a bit of a bummer even as good as it is. Let's see if these guys can stick the landing though. "Do Your Thing" - YEEESSSSSS... The funk is back, and it's low and slow, heavy and hypnotic. And it's BIG. It feels much more serious and epic where the Isaac Hayes original feels groovier, and laid back, and more of a good time. It's great as well, but I MUCH prefer the Temptations version. There's a just a sense of tension and stakes that the Hayes original just does not have, and which makes it feel less important. Original by Isaac Hayes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcq9ZtJ9tfU HIGHLIGHTS - "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On" - "Run Charlie Run" - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" * - "I Ain't Got Nothin'" - "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)" - "Mother Nature" - "Do Your Thing" MIDLIGHTS - "Love Woke Me Up This Morning" LOWLIGHTS - FINAL THOUGHTS So turns out I have heard most ( if not all) of this before. Not really sure why I was worried about how it might pan out given their pretty impeccable track record. Just has been a VERY long time since I've listened to anything from them, especially from this era. There is very little to complain about aside from side two feeling a bit more low energy, and seeming like slight step backwards musically. Would I have preferred track after track of awesomely funky grooves? Sure. As it stands though, even the slower ballady stuff was pretty successful. The Temptations are such an interesting group in that they might possibly be one of the longest continuously running acts in pop history that I can think of, and while they never scored this well again in the charts, they still kept changing and evolving for at least a few decades before settling into a nostalgia act. The inclusion of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" by itself is almost enough to get me to just give this one a pass into the 5-star zone, but... as much as I had a good time ( 33 minutes! in and out - that's how you do it, people!) I can't honestly say anything else on here will ever get as much play as the monumental hit, or as any of their older classic stuff. If "Ball of Confusion" had also been on here instead of being released as a single, then we get close to perfection. We've got one more coming, and that one has at least one other great on it, so there's something to look forward to. "Ball of Confusion": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydPaSWObL6E PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - Replace "Love Woke Me Up This Morning" with "Ball of Confusion" FURTHER LISTENING - Cloud Nine by the Temptations - The Undisputed Truth by The Undisputed Truth - Stand! by Sly & the Family Stone - Super Fly by Curtis Mayfield - Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis - 3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers

This was my first dive into anything by The Temptations that wasn’t “My Girl.” Motown is a huge blind spot for my musical experience. Not the only one mind you, but one of many. The first track seemed recorded on shoddy equipment, because the sound quality for “Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On” was not good. Live performance track with bad acoustics, I guess. The rest of the album though was better quality. “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone” was the standout, highlight, and MVP. That track alone almost earned this a 5. What a ride. I’ll be happy to expand my familiarity with The Temptations vast catalog off this album. 4/5

Good stuff.

Not what i was hoping for

It was a very very nice album

I don’t know if I’ve ever been sadder to give an album a 4. The first few songs off of this album are like, all I want in music. Great vocals, good stories. A little glorping, well placed percussion. I love Motown with all my heart and soul. The only reason this album is getting a 4 and not a 5 is that for me the start of the b-side is just a little bit too sleepy. It’s beautiful and well thought out, I just wish the funk had been a stronger note in the album as a whole. Season: Late Summer Favorite Song: Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On

Non male, molto funk pop

Pretty forgettable aside from Papa Was A Rollin' Stone. Also that song has like the longest intro of all time

I was really hopeful when I saw the title of the first track as I usually enjoy funk. As it turns out I don't really like this kind of funk. It's too repetitive, too groove based, and probably too psychedelic for me Standouts Run Charlie Run 2/5

Brilliant cross over of soul/funk/pysch with Papa Was a Rollin Stone dominating the album.

3,5 Meget lækkert soulfyldt. Nogle udemærket standouts. Høre igen: umiddelbart ikke

😁

Litt schizofren, men elsker sounden

Fet funk/soul. Kul trommelyd. Fine ballader. I aint got nothing er litt tøysete låt for min del. Litt ujevn

Par alreite låter her. Papa Was a Rolling Stone er fin - men lang

Sånn passe bra. Liker det aller best når det er mer nedpå, og førstesporet, som vel er live, liker jeg ikke. Kommer ikke til å høre på igjen.

Enjoyable but didn’t do anything crazy 3/5 Favorites: papa was a rollin’ stone, run Charlie run,

Soul music? A nice sound.

Pretty decent. I like their psychedelic music.

I'm not sure what I expected from a Temptations album, but this didnt feel like enough. Still a good listen.

These guys are undeniably cool as fuck and this album is too.

- It's not perfect but I'm gonna go 4.5 rounded up because poppa was a rollin stone .... -

I only got a few seconds into the movie “Tropic Thunder” before I had to stop it. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I was completely taken with the opening music. Military helicopters fly over lush jungle foliage soundtracked by a muted electric guitar riff, as smooth vocals sing the lyrics “People movin' out, people movin' in. Why? Because of the color of their skin”. It was proper-cool 70s-era protest rock, evoking mental images of Black Panthers, hippies and Vietnam opposition. Shazam told me it was “Ball of Confusion” by The Temptations. I stashed the song in a playlist and didn't fully register the band responsible. It was only when this album came up that something triggered this memory in my mind. The Temptations!! Wow. This is the same Temptations that made “My Girl”?? Crazy. This version of the band couldn’t sound more different. It starts with some serious funk. Actually, it starts off with some pretty intense distorted shouting, then some funk. That riff is full of stank and it’s absolutely brilliant. “Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On” is raw, driving funk at its best, breaking down into acapella madness at the end. You have my attention, Temptations. The second song on the record, “Run Charlie Run” makes me very uncomfortable as a white male. I guess that’s the point. It’s another great funky tune, but I find myself checking that all of my windows are closed so my neighbours don’t get the wrong idea when they hear those confrontational lyrics. I’m guessing that I’ll probably skip this one on repeat listens. The centerpiece of the album is definitely “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone”. Running for nearly twelve minutes, the vocals don’t kick in until about four minutes in. It starts off with just a bassline and hi-hat duo, but is instantly recognisable. Then one-by-one more instrumentation comes in, wah-wah guitar, strings and trumpet, gradually building a full sound and atmosphere. When the clapping starts, the song really kicks off. “Papa…” is structured almost like an interrogation: the singers ask their mother (in brilliant vocal harmonies) about the father they barely knew, and each answer makes him sound worse. But it’s the way that the song tilts so much towards the instrumental that makes it so interesting and gives it a real cinematic feel. Not only that enormous four minute intro, but at other times during the runtime, it’s like the song forgets itself and meanders off into long sections of instrumentals. And the melody is so gorgeous that you don’t really notice that it’s happened until the vocals unexpectedly come back in. It’s an absolute masterpiece of a song. The second half of the album never hits the same highs as the first half, but there’s still loads to enjoy. In particular, their cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is stunningly gorgeous, and the orchestration cements that cinematic vibe that runs through the record. There’s a lot of variety in the songs here. There’s extended funk workouts, aggressive and theatrical social commentary, slow Motown, and lush, cinematic orchestral instrumentals. So I guess it’s a fitting title, as they’re going off in “All Directions”. I still can’t believe this is the same Temptations that made “My Girl”.

My wife was watching a biopic of the Temptations years ago, and I walked in just as they recorded "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone", which I fell in love with. Some of these sound more like what I imagine older stuff sounded like ("Love Woke Me Up This Morning"), with others sounding more for lack of a better word "modern" ("I Ain't Got Nothin'")

Good but not really for me

Heti groovaa ihan eri tavalla mitä Cloud Nine!

Shururup shururup

This went in a lot of directions, some better than others

Wow. Way more interesting than just “…Rollin’ Stone.” Especially with “Run Charlie Run” leading into it. Wild that this was their highest charting album.

Pretty great

Great album

Give that frog a loan, his papa was a rolling stone! No but seriously, this is some of the best soul has to offer.

One star. Where’s “My Girl?” lol really this was unexpected. I think that classic Motown sound when I think the Temptations and its cool to see them break beyond that mold into new styles. Here they tried quick pop ballads, grandiose orchestra pieces, and a funky jam of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” that seemed to never end (not that I’m planning to leave the dance floor). All in all, unexpected and well executed ideas

A solid funk machine, and I don't like machines.

Fun. Nothing groundbreaking though.

So boring. It isn't "bad," but damn is it uninteresting.

6+ / 10

Absolutely gorgeous soul album. The feel. The sound. Rich. Vibrant. I was not ready for track 2!

Okay so i came into this not lnowing what the genre is but i figured that its jazz i dont think its to bad its catchy and the instrumentals are good but its just not my genre its somthing id listen too but not put it on myself

I was excited to see the temptations, but the album is a bit of a dud outside of "Papa was a rolling stone". Luckily the song is a third of the album.

Enjoyed this more than my previous entry by The Temptations (Cloud Nine) - definitely funkier and more standout songs. Funky Music, Run Charlie Run, Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Mother Nature are all really good. 3.5/5.

funky with huge vibe change like it

Usually a huge motown fan but this album is sadly a miss for me. A missed motown is just average, but still! This has some of the great harmonizing I like but is just missing some of the energy

Yeah this album fucks, funky and groovy. 4.5/5

8/10 fv song: Run Charlie Run

Funky,

Fairly good, great variety of flavors.

This is sound that I like most times but this album was honestly just forgettable. Just nothing that really stood out to me and will really only go back to 1 or 2 songs at most. 2/5

#195/1001 🇺🇸 Fabulous album. My first listen altbough i was familiar with a couple of tracks. The title, i think reflects the contrasting styles to be found here from the almighty funk juggernaught that is Papa Was A Rolling Stone to their beautiful take on The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Best Tracks: Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Run Charlie Run, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, I Ain't Got Nothing, Do Your Thing.

Kul vibe, men litt kjedelig

i cant even put into words how much i love Mother Nature that song is so incredible - like the way it can be interpreted in different ways - is it about the social state of the world? all of the suffering? the general feeling of how you feel like you have nothing else to live for? I will always love a song in a minor key - the trumpets are incredible in these bridges as well, the passion in Dennis Edwards voice, incredibleeeee. rest of the album is chill too i guess but this song alone brings it up for me this is a 5 star song i love you Mother Nature

Every fish has a bowl and every shoe has a soul😮‍💨 Honestly wasn’t amazed, I enjoyed it but thought I would be a little more blown away. A less up beat vibe than I expected and the one track I really loved was I ain’t got nothin

So so so so good. Perfect for a morning drive to work, got me feeling some type of way. Love woke me up this morning is such a beautiful song. Also Papa was a Rolling Stone is a great example of how you can make 11 minutes actually great

It was good I just didn’t like it

This album completely blew open my expectations of what Motown music could be. The first 3 tracks were entirely different from what I expected. I love soul music

first half, especially papa was a rollin stone, is absolutely essential, a lot of the second half i could take or leave though

A great soul/funk album. 3.7/5.

It's not everyday you look forward to listening to the Album of the Day. Here's one of them & it didn't disappoint. Funky, soulful r&b. It's like they should pick a lane but I think the Temptations saw where things were headed & pivoted towards a funk sound. While also keeping the r&b numbers as to not alienate the older fans. 3

It is a good listen. But not something I would listen to frequently.

Smooth and funky.

I regarded the last Temptations album I got on this list as forgettable. This one is anything but. From the energetic opener, to the epic vamp on “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” to the gorgeous interpretation of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” this album has a whole lot to offer, and a lot to remember it by.

Not the most exciting or interesting Temptations album. I did enjoy tracks 1,5 and 6 but the other tracks left little to no impression.

Love their sound. The best song is ofc the 12 minute one. Lower 4

Didn’t stand out too much to me. Some of the songs were pretty nice

I don't think I realized this was the same Temptations as the My Girl Temptations they really got around. Papa Was a Rolling Stone is soooo Isaac Hayes but still great. Most of the rest was fun but forgettable.

Some nice moments when things get funky, but there's also some weaker material going on, stuff that's just not as interesting. But when they funk it up it's pretty good. Certainly better than a lot of other stuff on this list. I'd listen again every now and again.

Needs trigger warnings about verbiage and long songs lol. A good funk intro album.

Papa is long but I can envision myself in a 1970s disco joint bumping and grinding while precisely sweating. Vibes all around with some ballad bangers.

Blind album, know the artist. Funk soul album is not what I expected for some reason but I thought it was well done. 3.

171225 17:22 3

Was pretty alright.

Gostei muito bom

DZIEN 7 - The Temptations - All Directions Album soul z 1972r Przyjemny w odsluchu, swietny wokal na kazdej piosence Najlepsza piosenka to Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, niesamowity bas, swietny tekst i wgl swietna piosenka Trwa 12 minut XDD I do czwartej minuty nie ma słów Ogolnie to przyjemny album ale nie za duzo wiecej do powiedzenia bo sluchalem go dosyc malo 3 Gwiazdki, naprawde spocko ale nie jest to jakas topka, przyjemny ale nic wiecej mimo ze kilka kawalkow jest naprawde fajnych musze go wiecej posluchac ale so far najmniej mi sie podoba po pierwszym odsluchu

I liked the funk

timeless! kind of hard to skip anything on here, 34 min flies by while simultaneously taking you on a sonic journey

First time ever I saw your face a banger in all forms

Really great album, didn't know much about the temptations. Very jazzy, soul funk like with really fun chord progressions. Papa was a rolling stone was arguably the most boring song on the album 8/10

Not bad, pretty funky. Vocals were great.

Solid album - would listen again. 3 stars for me.

okay r&b/soul. chill and relaxing

This has got to be the most 'nothing' album ever. I can't even say it's bad; the vocals are strong and sweet. Instrumentation has a dreamy quality to it. It is very gentle. But honestly, I can't see myself every listening to this again. None of the songs stood out to me. I thought this would be a great album in the hot weather, but it just passed me by without me feeling a thing. This surely can't be considered one of the temptation's best albums?

Ich glaube das ist ein Klassiker den ich nicht kenne

Side one: Well, that sho' was funky! Side two: Pleasant enough AOR on the whole. Doesn't do it for me. Three stars for side one and one star for side two. Two stars overall, which is a shame. Full-on 60s Motown Temptations would be a five, but for some reason, there's little to no 60s Motown on this list 😔. It's not like they didn't make albums in the 60s...they did, but serious critics don't think albums of popular peak Motown are worth our while. Fuck it, going to dig out some classic Supremes and Martha Reeves and have a little dance...

A succulent temptation, Norman Whitfield displays his mastery here

I get why this is considered foundational. 'The first time ever I saw your face' is a really beautiful song and I enjoyed 'nother nature' But 'papa was a rolling stone' pissed me off. It did Not warrant 11:44, it was a bad song

Wasn't sure what to expect, but I got about what I should have expected... One or two great songs and then a bunch of slow, boring soul. The opener, and "Poppa" were fantastic, the rest couldn't keep my attention. It feels too manufactured other than those two and Charlie.

Classic Put me in a good mood. Thoroughly enjoyed

couple alright songs

I love the Temptations and there are some great songs on here but it's certainly not the most cohesive album I've ever heard and it feels a bit unfinished

Higher lows but lower highs than Cloud Nine. There’s nothing so bad as that album’s rendition of “Heard It Through The Grapevine,” but this album’s best song, the legendary “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” is nowhere near the level of Cloud Nine’s “Runaway Child, Running Wild,” which is in my opinion is The Temptations’ best song. Also, the ballads on the B-side are in general MUCH worse than on Cloud Nine, and generally this album is pretty unimpressive. 6.7/10

I'm not sure if this is fair, but I'll say it anyway: The Temptations is at its best on any hits or singles collection.

Some great tracks but also half of it is just not great and would want to skip them if listening again.

This was fine. I preferred the funkier songs.

This good. I liked hearing that crazy long intro to Papa was a rolling stone that's from the Nice Guys.

That fucking song about the chase is dumb as fuck but overall pretty solid

Starting off with some good funk. Great album, going between funk and Mowtown. Some great music here even if it's not something I would normally listen to.

This is fine. Didn't find it super interesting or memorable.

alright

The Temptations are obviously an incredible band with a history of killer singles. I’m not sure if this album warrants a must listen though. I enjoyed listening but I probably won’t come back to it.

As the title implies, an uneven mixed bag, but I enjoy the vocal performances and Papa Was a Rollin Stone is phenomenal.

Cool soul, well performed.

Decent.

6/10

papa was a rolling stone is an absolute gem

Leuk. Papa was a rolling stone is natuurlijk een banger, maar verder een beetje inconsistent

I wanted to like it so badly, looks from the genres and reviews it's right up my alley but I didn't...

Nice! 3.25 rounded down to 3.

It wasn’t love at first sight but I ended up relistening the whole album almost 3 times and found more and more to enjoy

carried by one song

2.5

Papa was a Rolling Stone obviously the standout!

Ok

amazing

My good god, when The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face came on I bust into tears. Fantastic stuff, it’s a 5/5 on that alone 5.0/5.0 Best song: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

525/1089 - Repetitive but the looped material is pretty cool. Second side is waaay better. I Ain't Got Nothing and Mother Nature were my favorites.

First track was an absolute jam, and I was expecting to really enjoy this album. Sadly the album didn't keep up the momentum; "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" was enjoyable enough, but it felt like 11 minutes of build-up only to ... not really go anywhere. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" cover isn't as good as the Roberta Flack version that came out around the same time, the vocals just don't hold up and there were a couple of notes that felt slightly off. The last two tracks were definitely back on form and were much more enjoyable again. Definitely a group that are at their best doing funk, not a fan of their forays into ballads. Some decent tracks here that I'd happily listen to again, but not an album I'm going to revisit.

Papa was a rollin' stone was a vibe I really liked but the rest of the album felt kinda directionless Idk I didn't hate it but I forgot it was on after Papa was a rollin' stone... Low 3

I knew this band probably solely for the song, my girl, but they've got some pretty decent stuff. I wasn't sure how to categorize them; musically, It seems mostly like pop with some funk and soul influence, but then that got me thinking about how historically pop music might have been defined as white pop music. Anyway, pretty good stuff, but I wasn't blown away. Strong 3 though

4 stars. On the one hand, I listened on my phone, and just a song or two at a time (so far from ideal listening conditions); on the other hand, when I was a kid, I loved the three Temptations albums we had (which I still have: cloud nine, puzzle people, and psychedelic shack), so that might tend to inflate my grade, but I think those two factors cancel each each other out, and a 4 sounds about right. “Papa was a Rolling Stone” is great (if a little long); no, the others really stood out, after just one listen. The backing musicians (the famous Funk Brothers, with Norman Whitfield producing) sound great, although The Temptations by this time sound a bit dated (in their lyrics) trying to sound hip and cool to the younger generation or something (there earlier album that I have are probably guilty of that too, but I was not bothered when I was eight years old, just liking for the music (and the groovy album covers).

I'm feeling a light four for this. The beginning is so weird. Track 1 is a live version with stereo field issues? Track 2 has a message that I approve of, but the placement, so early in the album is strange. But in hindsight I suppose I like it, allowing for a mellow, soulful second half. Track 3 is the album's highlight and brings a noteworthy first half to a close. Tracks 4 and 5 are the strongest in the second half, and while the rest are more forgettable, I generally enjoyed them. Particularly, I enjoy how patient, spacious the grooves are. It lets you savor the licks. There are plenty of instrumental and vocal treats to enjoy. In some ways, it feels like they went in all directions (lyrically for example). But the mood that results from the arrangements is quite consistently mellow funk

Liked it a lot. Didn’t loove it.

I had no idea the temptations transitioned to this style in the 70s. Cool to hear them more laid back. Fun funk, soul work in the vein of Marvin Gaye.

1. Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On (★★★⯨☆) 2. Run Charlie Run (★★★☆☆) 3. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (★★★☆☆) -Un poco extensa... 4. Love Woke Me Up This Morning (★★☆☆☆) 5. I Ain't Got Nothin' (★★★★★) -Fav 6. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (★★⯨☆☆) 7. Mother Nature (★★★☆☆) 8. Do Your Thing (★★★☆☆) -TOTAL = ★★⯨☆☆ (3)

Wasn’t expecting the Temptations to be dropping N bombs! That caught me off guard but the album in the whole quite enjoyable. Level of musicianship and range was also something I didn’t know they had in their bag. Impressive.

Groovy! Вот это прикольная штука по настроению Papa Was A Rollin' Stone - прям гем, прям медятина. Плавно развивающаяся, стилёвая фанковая штука. Что-то похожее было на Shaft (что логично) I Ain't Got Nothin' - эдакий оммаж на ду-воп но в motown стиле. Такое мы уважаем, за такое мы респектуем.

Good

Enjoyed that

A funky time

Papa Was a Rollin' Stone

Outstanding on the upbeat songs and Papa Was a Rolling Stone. Some of the others are weaker but they still don’t really pull the album down at all

ff

tenia otras espectativas por el genero y por la banda, pero eso no quita que me haya gustado. Cortito y al pie

that was fun!

Sometimes funky, too often smooth. A surprising depth in some tracks with powerful social commentary. There are a few covers here, which the Temptations give their own spin. This version of [Papa was a rolling stone] is epic. There's a few songs on the Ballard/soul side I can appreciate but don't vibe with me personally. 3*

This one’s hard for me. I, personally, thoroughly enjoyed this. I see from other reviews this doesn’t do it for many. My husband wants to immediately turn the dial. But for me and MY taste, it’s in the pocket. That being said, it’s derivative af. All Directions is right. They grabbed from all directions, like Sly and the Family, and made it theirs. And while their cover of Pappa was a Rolling Stone is epic… great covers rarely make a great album. So 3. Boolean: false, sorry but yeah probably shouldn’t be on the list

- I am very familiar with the Temptations early Motown period, but have had almost no exposure to their later psychedelic soul and funk. Interesting change of pace. - Adore the first half of the record; somewhat ironic that the members of the group did not like "Run Charlie Run" or the divine "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," because they have never sounded better. The latter is 11 minutes long and I could take another 11. - Second half is fine, just not nearly as fun as the first.

Papa Was a Rolling Stone was by far the best track on the album. Loved the sound but really didn't get into the album.

no me llama mucho el estilo jazzero

Hadn't heard this one before. Fabulous soul/RnB/funk.

Just not at all what I was hoping to hear today. It may be good for the genre, it may be an all time great. But today, it makes me want to crawl in a hole and turn on something else.

Maukasta soulia/funkkia. Sellaista leffasoundtrack sopivaa. Papa Was A Rolling Stonessa kivan pitkiä tunnelmallisia hetkiä. Pari myös herkempää biisiä. Parhaat: Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Run Charlie Rub

A great motown album. Unapologetically authentic. An easy listen with a great vibe. Each song was enjoyable. "Do Your Thing" was my favorite.

The album was a very easy listening. Really enjoyed the entire album. It gives you a different side of the Temptations to see if you’re used to some of their other music.

Pretty strong first half, but the second half doesn't do much for me Fav track: Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On

Boring, however papa was a rolling stone was an interesting track and I enjoyed it

i enjoyed this listen! quality vocals and a good range of subject matter and vibe. though this album isn’t something i'd necessarily return to in its entirety, i enjoyed several songs enough to come back to them. i was really struck by run charlie run cuz i did Not know the temptations for particularly political music, i only really knew them for romantic ballads, but that was bold as hell and i imagine it must have upset some execs at the time (respect). fav: run charlie run

It’s fine. Good grooves but I find a lot of it pretty corny

The goofiness clashed too much with the grooviness.

huh this was… not my favourite. but i respect it?

Good stuff. "Papa was a rolling stone" is an all timer

I like them when I’m wanting older music but not something I choose to listen to on the regular.

Much more interesting than I expected. Will I listen again? Doubt it.

surprisingly funky

More funky than I would assume for a temptations record. At least to start. It feels more standard as it goes on but neat way to kick it off. Papa was a rolling stone was my favorite track here. Though its long as hell and I never love that. It has a few distinct sections that make it easier to see it as a couple smaller songs. Anf they all are good. But thats about it. Its good. Im just not crazy about it. Worth the listen without being something I come back to again and again.

8/10… soul / funk / motown / *1972

Mostly highs, some lows so it leveled out to be a decent album. I enjoyed it. 3.5/5

a stellar a-side and a less stellar b-side. i was not ready for that chorus on run charlie run though...

this reminds me of my father cause he weirdly loves them LMFAO but this is cute!

"I have to be honest, classic 70s soul and R&B just isn't my genre. The softer tracks and ballads on this album simply didn't click with me at all because they lack the darker, more energetic edge I usually look for in music. However, I have to give massive credit to 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone'. That track is an absolute masterpiece. The dark, cinematic atmosphere and that relentless, driving bassline over the full 11 minutes perfectly hit my vibe. But since that was the only song I actually saved from the entire record, I have to settle for a 2/5

This was great. In places much ‘harder’ than I’d expected, eg the no-punches-pulled Run Charlie Run. Papa Was A Rolling Stone is fabulous.

Næs. Ekki nógu mikið oomph til að fá fjórar samt.

Love it great music

3.5

Side 1 of this album is superb - Norman Whitfield at his "psychedelic soul" best. I'm less keen on side 2. Papa Was A Rolling Stone is a stone cold classic

This was wind wonderful

A strong

New to me and a solid two stars, “Love Woke Me Up This Morning” is a great song. Tom.

Some good funky tunes interlaced with soul and of course the classic 'Papa was a Rollin' Stone'. Not something I usually gravitate towards but nothing terrible here.

Funky stuff. A third of the album is Papa Was A Rollin Stone which is a huge positive. Other songs were enjoyable as well; some fun and some heavier.

Greatness!

Some funky grooves, some great singing. Better than the first one we had by them.

The Temptations are a household name and back up that feat by oozing with talent. A couple of classic tunes are included in All Directions with Papa Was A Rolling Stone leading the charge in front of The First Time Ever I saw Your Face. My impression of The Temptations changed when Run Charlie Run played as I didn’t know they had that kind of music in them. Overall, a great listen and good addition to this project.

Damn, son … that shit was funky.

Funky and groovy, this right here is the sh#t

curti algumas faixas, mas achei meio cru e meio “gimmicky” nota: 3,5

I loved this album. Before this listen, I don’t know that I ever listened to an album by The Temptations - it had only been singles and “radio songs” but what an enjoyable experience.

These guys know how to vibe

I can appreciate the amount of different ideas but unfortunately it's a bit too all over the place for my liking.

Good, but not great. There's some strong highlights. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone is a pretty cool epic, I like that horn refrain but I don't know where I've heard it before. I liked Do Your Thing too, that ended the album on a string note I don't really have much else to get excited about here though. Everything else was decent but didn't feel particularly noteworthy. The left channel on the first track is also really muffled and was weirdly deeply unpleasant to listen to. That soured me right from the beginning Maybe the type of thing you need to give a few listens to Highlights: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, Do Your Thing

5 sterne

Nice, old-ish Funk. I like it, but because of its age won't probably listen again.

Його плюс в тому, що він короткий, бо це було доволі нудно

There is a part of me that thought that this was going to be a great album. I know that I give a lot of 5 stars and this was looking up to be part of that but really only a few songs that were great. A good album but not a great album.

Groovy

I'm tempted to listen to the lively, funky songs again. The rest is pretty slow. 3.8

If the only song was “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, this would be perfect. And so I have added that to my playlist.

"The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" is probably the most well-known song from this album, closely followed by "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone." Good 70's funk.

I mean. What else do you want? Some of the best to ever do it. I’m all in on the soul train, I spend a lot of time here. This is great. That’s about all.

Soul/Motown, lots of vocal harmonies and strings

oh well. Okay, but nothing that catches my attention. Eleven minutes of „Papa was a Rolling Stone“ seemed somewhat lengthy.

This was pretty groovy but some of the songs were just meh. Rolling stone adds an extra star for me

This was really good! I didn't realize the temptations had such a controversial style. But I really loved it

cooll

Extended Papa Was a Rolling Stone. Liked this album a lot

Lovely funk

Fine, didn’t expect the group behind “My Girl” to have a song like “Run Charlie Run”

Yeah it was ok, not really sure what the obsession with papa was a rolling stone is, but maybe I’ll have to give it another go Pretty certain this had another of the og tracks that was covered on American iv 3

I was not ready for Run Charlie Run! Papa was Rollin' Stone is a classic. This album is very different from the last Temptations album- Cloud Nine. They all have amazing voices!

Boring, but doesn't hurt the ear

Really groovy

funky music 7.5 run charlie run 8 papa was a rollin stone 8.5 love 7.25 7.5 i aint got nothin 7.5 or 8 even maybe idk i rlly liked it the first time 8 mother nature 7.5 do your thing 7.5 weak 8 4/5

Enjoyed this.

All Directions by The Temptations is a fantastic listen. It’s vibrant, energetic and packed with groove from start to finish. The Temptations have such a distinctive sound, and this album showcases exactly why they are regarded as one of the great vocal groups. The title All Directions feels very fitting because the album explores so many different styles. One moment you're listening to deep funk grooves, the next you're hearing soulful pop melodies, and somehow it all hangs together brilliantly. There’s a real sense of variety throughout the record, but it never feels disjointed. Instead, it keeps the album fresh and engaging from beginning to end. The musicianship is excellent, the vocals are superb, and there’s an effortless coolness running through the whole album. It’s the kind of record that’s easy to put on and enjoy, while still offering plenty of depth and quality. Favourite tracks: “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” is an absolutely brilliant song and the clear standout Least favourite tracks: Every song on the album earns its place Album artwork: Cool album cover

Nope, this doesn't do much for me - bit smooth, never really gets going as such.

Gets off to a slow start but hits a groove with Papa Was a Rollin' Stone's whopping 12 min stomp and some subsequent tender hooks.

Has one of the best opening, walk out sounding tunes with the most upsetting sounding production. Actually hurt me listening to it. The Temptations are a great band though through and through

Ah, beautiful. The Temptations have made lovely music through the decades, and while this album isn't my favorite it's a good one, especially with the classic Papa Was A Rolling Stone.

Good blues

The slower songs don't do as much for me as the funkier songs do but man does this have some incredible highlights. Papa Was A Rolling Stone is absolutely fantastic.

Groovy

Short, sweet and to the point! Has something to say, crazy groove, I mean papa was a rolling stone? Get out of here!

Really really enjoyed this. I loved "first time I ever saw your face" I'd only heard the James Blake version before. I might rate it 4.5 and be generous

Not for me. Lot of really slow moments.

Great R&B

Muy lindo. De fondo es precioso. Armonías hermosas. Un rock-blues muy setentoso afroamericano. Me hace acordar un poco a Jackson 5

3.5

Absolute heaven-sent music.

No. 203 Very nice. It's beautiful in the background. Beautiful harmonies.

This album featured solid vocals and musicians and one outstanding track. Liked Songs Added: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

It’s got some solid tracks. Doesn’t necessarily flow as a whole album but rolling stone is undeniably a hit

Decent background music tbh

It's not bad per say but too groovy for me? Kinda headachy

This is a great slow burn soul album. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "I Got Nothing," "Do your Thing" and "Mother Nature" are all like tihs. In this album they never dip into the sappiness that many soul artists sometimes do. And then there's some real funk, bringing the Temptations into the 70s. 4/5

Some amazing songs but several throw away tracks too.

Not a Motown fan

This album suffers from a lack of unity of thought. Obviously these songs were written by several Motown legends, and the songs by themselves are great. This album just feels like a collection of great songs performed excellently. Not to be overly negative though, the songs and the vocal performances are great.