Reviews (page 4 of 13)
The harmonies were a great part of the album. I just didn’t really enjoy that much of it.
Some very jazzy runs and cool vibe. Very short, unexpectedly. I can see why it’s good but not really for me!
really heavy black rnb and soul not my thing but ok
I mean Papa Was Rollin Stone earns enough stars on its own for this album. Great album that isn't too long and probably has one of the coolest songs of all time on it. The album oozes cool throughout but not quite a 5 for me as it's not up there with my favourites of all time. It's a good 4 though.
“Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” is essential, of course. And the band’s version of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is strong. The album often feels quite dated, though, in both sound and themes. 3.5?
The Temptations can be surprising. This is somewhat removed from their 60s heyday. It sounds more aligned with Curtis Mayfield. I like it. Good versions of the songs they perform. I’d be happy if I chose this cd as my second in an hmv 2 for $20.
Best Track - "Do Your Thing"
Good singles, weird album
yeah this fucks
It was good but all over the place
prva strana bila mi dosta naporna, druga počela okej pa opet pretkraj bezveze. malo mi je već dosta ovakvih vrlo sličnih fankasto-solastih albuma
Solid but not exceptional.
After some amount of boredom on this list recently, this album has restored some of my faith in the process. Brilliant. 4.5*
Boh bellino pure per carità ma molto dimenticabile per i miei gusti 😭 Run Charlie Run hit
Great Songs: Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On, Papa Was a Rollin' Stone, Do Your Thing Good Songs: Run Charlie Run, Love Woke Me Up This Morning, I Ain't Got Nothin', Mother Nature Mid Songs: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Bad Songs:
Best Song: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone. A fantastic example of a how you can maintain and play around a singular groove in a way that stays interesting for t relatively long (10+ minute) runtime. Worst Song: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. The pure softness of this ballad wasn't my favourite. Not a terrible song by any means, however. Overall: Soulful, passionate, energetic music. Grand and orchestral at times, but also capable of swinging back down to quiet, intimate arrangements. A really fantastic, dynamic album.
Definitely not the best album on the list but definitely top 25%. Most of the tracks are soulful R&B or banging 70s Funk - but there are a few clunkers as well. Gotta laugh at people shocked by the dropping of the most powerful word in the English language- yeah kiddies in the 70s it was everywhere and no one got hung up about it or any other slur. It was called keeping it real, and that’s what the 70s were all about.
I don't really get albums like this. Great singers, producers and musicians putting loads of effort into effectively a cover album. Lovely sound, that doesn't really fit into one box. But I need more original music!
Honestly I really didn't care for this. Love funk, love motown, this just wasn't it. I'm much more into The Gap Band, Earth Wind & Fire, Parliament, that sort of thing. Maybe The Temptations are just a bit too 60's for me sometimes. Lyrically it's great, very conscious but the tunes just weren't there for me.
This album has me so conflicted. I knew this version of Papa was a Rolling Stone and I really like it. The first two songs into Papa was amazing! I was so excited that I hopped on Discogs and added it to my want list. Then we get to the second half. Meh. A lot less funk. It is like they used up all the funk they had and were riding on fumes for the second half. I would have rated this 5 if the album was only three songs long.
I am more familiar with the temptations older work and I like it, BUT I love this! This albums sounds so smooth and feels almost dreamlike to me. I can’t believe they thought this album would flop! Fav tracks: all of them lol
Papa was a rolling stone- classic. Also this music is just so easy to listen to. Aww love woke me up this morning is sweet. Idk I'd listen to this all day tbh.
Great Album
Am I giving this 4 simply because it's funky? Maybe...
Goog
Good album, but didn't have any stand out song.
A album with more funk than I expected. Had many soothing sounds and great grooves.
I really love this band. I love Soul. Even better if it’s funky. This is a great album from a great band. If you love soul claps then this album is for you. This is a great album from a great band. If you love soul claps then this album is for you. I’m looking disapprovingly at you Black Album.
Groovy. Michael is better though. Funky listen
it had a lot of nice moments but I was expecting more from such a big name? The First Time... was really beautiful, though
won't ever complain about more Motown stuff. "Love Woke Me Up This Morning" is an incredible track. So rich and evocative! these dudes can harmonize with the best of them. really solid album.
This sort of thing is usually right up my alley. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but a saxophone quintet appeared out of thin air and started playing while I was trying to listen to that, so I chose the live music.
In middle school, my parents sent me to dance school to learn ballroom dancing and manners and such once a week. It was an awful hazing experience that I would not wish upon my own children. Every session ended with a free dance where the men had to ask any of the women to dance, and the very last dance was always to The Temptations' "My Girl." I hated that song for a long while because of that experience (I'm not sure I've forgiven that song yet), and I also avoided the Temptations like the plague. I missed out on a lot of great music for a long time because of that -- holy crap this album is so good. The Temptations' Christmas album is so good. "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is so good. High up there on my list of favorite Motown groups.
“Oh, that’s where that sample came from.” - me, about 91 times during this album. Very cool to see the Temptations in a socially conscious milieu post Sly Stone/James Brown/Parliament-Funkadelic.
Wait, this is the same group that made the wedding staple My Girl? Love that these guys grew and put out something funkier, if not edgy. Papa was a rolling stone is a funk odyssey. On Run Charlie Run, there’s a painful reminder that shit don’t change: “But the greatest wrong you know you’ve done, is you passed this sickness onto your son” A bold start to an album for sure, but it fizzled out for me after Papa on first listen.
Nice short album ! Really groovy. Nothing spectacular, however. Fav song is ‘Run Charlie Run’.
so funky so good
The slower they play the groovier they are
Interesting that this album is called "All Directions" because it really feels like it's being pulled in a bunch of directions, but not necessarily in a good way. There's a lot going on here, but just at a surface level, it seems like the band was trying to evolve from their early, more by-the-book vocal group sound, and infuse a funkier, more experimental element into their arrangements. And they succeed in a limited way. Papa Was A Rolling Stone is obviously a classic and for good reason, that bass line is undeniable, the beat is stone cold, and the lyrics tell a sad but compelling tale. It's also a long track, over three minutes before the vocals even kick in, which I love. They're taking chances. "Funky Music..." and "Run Charlie Run" coming in before give the first side of this album a distinct vibe, a loose and funky direction that almost completely falls away on side two. The back half of the album, though not bad by any means, falls into some schmaltzy snoozers that really aren't my taste. After getting a taste of what they could do on the first side, I found the second half disappointing and undercooked, with some bright spots here and there. It's a 3.5/5 from me.
Great early 70s soul!
The first 3 songs are banging. The last one is solid. The middle - not my bag
Energy was a bit low for me despite some high parts instrumentally
I was today years old when I learned that the Temptations were so funky! The harmonies and production here are out of this world, of course. Just a great record from one of the all-time great R&B groups. Influence 5. Quality 5. Hits 4. Intangibles 5. Not my preferred genre, but I can dig it, baby 4.
Not bad. Needed more funk. 3/5
It would be very easy to say that "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" drove the success of this record and leave it at that. Of course, that's very true but it would also discount the amazing singing on "Love Woke Me Up This Morning" and the grace and beauty of "Mother Nature", long-forgotten as the first single from this record. The rest of the album is pretty forgettable, especially the obvious attempt to capitalize on Roberta Flack's success with "First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)" by covering it here. The record mostly holds up and only sounds dated in a few places.
Groovin, you dig. Layin down the real deal!
The only Temptations I got from with album were to stop listening to it.
I enjoyed this album, easy going and very soulful. Great driving in the rain music. A couple songs were a bit strung along in my opinion but I don’t really have anything positive or negative to say about this one.
It was alright, short with odd pacing. The later songs were pretty bland though, and I wish as a whole it had more groove.
Funky, soulful, contemplative, sad, joyful - this album features many themes and emotions that keep in engaging and enjoyable. No song is too long, and even the longest song, Papa Was A Rollin' Stone at 11'46", gives the music space to breath and move in its extended playtime. Meanwhile, the shorter songs are punchier and focused. The string arrangements provide a classic early-70's sound while the bass and guitar keep things soulful and funky for a modern sound on this concise record with many enjoyable tracks.
Not really my kind of music but really good of its kind, classic sound. Rounding up. 3.5
sounds nice but nothing super interesting fav song: Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On
The first three songs make a kind of funk suite that is supercool and unlike any Temptations project before it. “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone” makes up a full third of the running time of the album but it is only after that song that the album overstays its welcome. While what follows isn’t bad, it just doesn’t live up to the opening and feels more familiar for the group.
Let’s be honest, it’s all about ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ here. It overshadows everything. The rest of the album bar the opening track ‘Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On’, and closer ‘Do Your Thing’, is just filler.
I enjoyed this. Second song had way more uses of the N word than I expected from the temptations.
It was good, but it didn't particularly blow me away. I had higher expectations it seems but maybe I don't quite have the ear for it either.
Great singing, instrumentals, sense of humor, everything
FUNKY MUSIC SHO NUFF TURNS ME ON. Not a girly, but we LOVE RandB. A 9 hour album is kinda long and a little repetitive, but it was so good! Papa was a rolling stone?!?! CLASSIC
I grew up hearing a lot of Temptations hits on the radio. But I haven’t listened to their collective work. I was really impressed.
I will be BEYOND shocked if Spencer doesn’t give this a 5 too
Just the vibe I needed for my drive to work. A little bit slow I guess but I thought it was really nice
I was expecting awesomeness and this didn’t blow me away. My ears may have been broken today.
Surprisingly I've never listened to a full Temptations album all the way through before. HUGE mistake!!
Something unusual for me i like it. I dont normally listen to this type of song, but i can image it being used in some kind of movie. Its good.
Mostly good. Very cool. Rolling Stone drags a bit, Do Your Thing and Funky Music are great.
Some gems - such as possibly the definitive performance of Papa was a Rolling Stone. Some material didn't age so well. Not my go to genre but I enjoyed it.
Big band innit
Allein „Papa Was A Rolling Stone“ würde für die Höchstpunktzahl reichen!
There was something about All Directions by The Temptations that I just couldn’t fully connect with. And I can’t even point to one clear reason why. Maybe I missed something. Maybe it just wasn’t the right moment for me. I don’t know. I absolutely recognize the immense talent there—they’re extraordinary performers, and that’s undeniable. But for some reason, the emotional and sonic content didn’t resonate with me the way I hoped it would. At times, the songs felt too long, and occasionally the sound itself just didn’t appeal to my ear. Out of the eight tracks, I only saved two: I Ain’t Got Nothin’ and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. And that’s really it. I don’t have much more to say about this one. I don’t see myself returning to the full album—I’ll stick with the two songs that stood out to me and move on. Two stars.
Review - a decent R&B/Soul album. Not very long and about a third of the album is Papa Was a Rolling Stone, meaning most of the tracks are barely over 2 minutes. A good listen but maybe not an all time classic Rating - 7/10 Need to listen? YES
Everyone knows Papa Was A Rolling Stone. Unfortunately that doesn't mean I like it. Or feel much of anything for this album. It's fine
Aika laimeeta. Pari biisiä oli semmosta jotka vähä kutitteli, mutta muuten ei mitenkään innostavaa.
Ihan perus mukavaa Motown funk. 3/5.
Menevää funkkia taasen Temptationsilta, tuskin menee jatkuvaan soittoon, mutta taustalla kuunteluun toimii oikein hyvin edelleen.
1.1/5 Some nice vocals and instruments but nothing really grabbed me on this album
Such a great album. Funky classic soul. 2 songs added to playlist
Не знаю мой папа не был Роулинг Стоуном
Thought I recognised this somewhere... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baIo1oCoAog
Wisselend
There's a contrast between the funk which is excellent and the soul which is wimpy. It also breaks up the groove.
A double double day! Have listened to both albums today already. And yes, Papa Was a Rolling Stone is still a banger.
Ts was good, gonna relisten again.
I think I’m really a sucker for a horn section, cause I really loved the first half of this and then when it slowed down a little bit it stopped being my thing as much. Still a really impressive album, lots of great vocal performances all over it. Favorites: Run Charlie Run, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,
1. funky - 1 2. charly - 1 3. papa - 3 4. love - 1 5. nothing - 1 6. face - 1.5 7. mother - 1.5 8. thing - 1.5
The funk is out of control. Somehow it had escaped me the fact that papa was a rolling stone is almost 12 minutes of pure banger!? this is a 4 or a 5, I would never have guessed it ahead of time.
I tried to rate this lower, but dayum
life is fucking awesome
Súper complejo, muchísimas capas y dimensiones distintas, amo la facilidad con la que se pueden reconocer las influencias q increíble
One direction's evil twin. Not for me.
Pensaba que era soundtrack porque el ritmo del álbum estuvo raro y la verdad odio que un disco tenga más de dos rolas seguidas que terminen en fade out ;-; equis pa ser the tempations
Oooo it's super funky and groovy, the kinda vibe I absolutely LOVE! I only really knew of their Christmas songs, as they're included on a lot of complains. This was a huge injustice and I will be listening to more of their work when I can!
p good
Great album. All their voices are incredible and I love me some Motown/funky RnB, however slight lack of cohesion and the album literally went in all directions.
Gorgeous. Some classics on here. Not my vibe but undeniably good.
Honestly, pretty fun. Quite groovy. Would I listen to this on a random day? No, not really. Did I have fun listening to it? Yeah. It’s also only half an hour long, so it’s not unbearable to sit through it, although one song was 11 minutes. I’ll never understand the obsession the 70s had with that practice. Well, I’m glad it’s over now. What else can I say? Not much I can add. It’s another case of I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to it, but I wouldn’t get up to skip a song if it came on. "Love woke me up this morning" is my fave I think. Important addition.
Temptations an Iconic Group that still has a HUGE FOLLOWING
Classic vibes from these legends and would listen to again
A couple of real bangers on there
Started off on a great, funky note then slowly turned into R&B. I prefer a funky sound personally.
Good melodies and tunes, but I can't say I really liked it. Rate 5/10
4.3
Bien pero el sonido necesita ser remasterizado. 3.8
Rolling Stone is all-time, but the rest just doesn’t hit for me. Feels more like a compilation than any complete album-type work.
“Funky music sho nuff turns me on”
Heard Before? Only the big single. Notes: - first song is deeply funky, but sounds recorded by a single mic in a school gym. - "Papa" is the obvious centerpiece, but also sounds very much out of place. - vocals are uniformly stellar, unsurprisingly, but the arrangements and production are too often motown-by-numbers. Verdict: Fantastic group, monumental single, uneven album. Listen Again? Nope. But I'll certainly investigate the Temptations back catalogue.
3/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-temptations/all-directions/ Even though I don't usually care much for funk, the funky songs on this definitely outshine the more boring soul songs in the second half. So partially better than I thought, partially more boring.
Half funk half doowop, I liked the side A better. 3/5
Eh idk why I can’t get into soul/funk but it just doesn’t hit for me
ok
Big fan of that one long arse song in the middle, I love those
This is a fantastic soul album.
Left me wanting more, I like the more soulful tracks on the B side. 6/10
delightful
2.5
Enjoyed this but definitely preferred their other one on this list
Smooth funky soul
Typically don't like slower albums but love woke me up this morning might just be my song of the month also any album that has a good 7+ min song is good in my taste
It's the Temptations, so it is awesome by default. But the messages here are powerful. Four stars
I love the 60s-era Temptations. This was not as good as I hoped.
Lyrically and musically EXCELLENT!
Nope - I never understood why Papa Was a Rolling Stone was such a popular track Kind of like the rest of this album - I dont hear why its rated as one of the best of all time Confusing . . . .
I feel like it lacked energy
The Temptations were a great group. Papa was a Rolling Stone at 11 mins is a marvelous track. Other tracks not so great but might improve on further listening.
I love a good Motown record, and this is exactly that. Apart from the opening track, which is strong musically but let down by its live recording quality, every song is great. I’ll definitely be coming back to this.
Super smooth and surprisingly funky, this album has a lot more going on that I expected from The Temptations. More or a funk soul vibe than the Motown I was expecting. Papa was a Rolling Stone is a great song. I think if the instrumentation was more prominent in the recording I would like this a little more, the vocals are great but after a couple tracks it felt somewhat like more of the same. There are other version of this genre I like more.
God damn, the first few tracks were cool as hell! It loses a lot of steam through the middle with the slower more soulful songs. I much prefer the more upbeat, funky songs.
Rating: 7.5/10
Loved it, just would have preferred a few more up tempo numbers throughout. Nice blend of styles, including funk and soul. Can’t go wrong with classic Motown.
"the n-words are coming, the n-words are coming" damn, i didn't think you could say shit like that in '72 lmao great album, i guess i thought the Temptations were like the Four Tops or something, did not realize they got down like this
This is fine, It is an easy listen and I enjoyed, haven’t much more to say
Another album that doesn’t do much beyond the song everyone knows. But Run Charlie Run is a wild, wild song, that somehow isn’t even marked as explicit on Spotify
This seems to be another case of looking to include an artist group that was integral to the history of American popular music. The Temptations were pretty much that, as one of the most prominent vocal groups out of Motown in the 1960s, going on to pioneer psychedelic soul. Not only is their first foray into this genre shift included in the book, but also this album, where they further pivoted into funk. If there's one song likely to be recognized from All Directions, it's the Temptations' rendition of Undisputed Truth's "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", transforming a simple underground soul tune into a 12-minute suite with extended instrumental passages with the chicken-scratching guitar work and symphony orchestra accompaniment, gradually building as the members each sang from the perspective of different children questioning their mother about their dead father. It's a rather well-thought-out rendition that became the standard for this song. I wish I could give just as much praise to the rest of this album. There isn't a bad song, far from it. But between the more by-the-numbers renditions of the likes of Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," and Edwin Starr's "Funk Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On", the latter being preceded by fake live audience jeering, along with the more laid-back original soul compositions such as "I Ain't Got Nothin'" and "Mother Nature", it's easy-listening on the ears, but there was an opportunity to go for broke in venturing into more hard-hitting funk territory. Last month, I covered the Isley Brothers' venture into funk on 3+3, and thoroughly enjoyed their fully-committed metamorphosis into the genre. All Directions doesn't quite go as far as that record did, and that's a shame cause I think they are a good vocal ensemble that could have taken further advantage of a sonic expansion. I still enjoyed this record at the end of the day, and am curious enough about the preceding Temptations record in the book. I just have this feeling it could have been even greater, that's all.
Jekyll and Hyde record. Funky parts are awesome. Ballads are boring.
Yeah, it's ok
Dosta više uspavljujuće nego što sam očekivala, ali generalno prijatna muzika i baš lijep pravi motown bas pa je sve ok.
This was a great album. The Temptations were known originally for the 60's Motown sound, but they evolved over time as many of the artists from the label did. I love all of their styles, and this album shows them all off perfectly. There is some awesome funk (with great social commentary), including the amazing Papa Was A Rolling Stone in all of its almost twelve minute glory. There's the beautiful Love Woke Me Up This Morning with their classic sound. An amazing version of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. And closing with two more awesome funky songs. Not only is this one of the 1001 albums I'd want to listen to before I die, it's an album I could listen to every day before I die.
Wasn’t expecting that from Run, Charlie, Run. I love The Temptations, ever since I saw that tv miniseries about them. This album made me realize that I only know the hits and should do a deeper dive.
Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone 4. The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face and strong lead vocal on Mother Nature means 4 for those. The rest around 3.
Pretty similar to how I felt a out the last Temptations, so CTRL+C/CTRL+V.. I was curious about the Temptations move to psychedelic soul, but ended up being a little underwhelmed. I don't think the Band wrote any/many of the songs so it doesn't really come across as a natural progression, more like a Whitfield producer project
Ok so over half the album is taken up by cover versions, of which 11+ minutes is the standout hit track. The rest is nice enough in a soppy, soulful way, but it’s not what I seek out.
very chill nice for background music
Good I prefer the other one this was too instrumental
There's a reason we remember The Temptations!
Pretty damn good
Interesting album. Shocking use of the "hard R" in one song. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" felt like it belonged on the Shack soundtrack, and went on longer than it really needed to. Surprising bird of tenderness in other songs. My rating: 3/5 stones.
Some great tracks and some average tracks
2,6/5
Very noice, liked “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” a lot
Good rock album
Not my favorite temptations album with the exception of Papa was a Rolling Stone. So epic.
Nice vibe. Great songs. It was a great album. Some of these tracks snuck up on me. This was a deeper dive into the Temptations than I ever done before.
what the f is up with this mixing. if you listen with earbuds, put your streaming service in mono. besides that, a pretty good collection of soul. i like Would I listen again: maybe Deserves to be on this list: maybe 3.6
Has its moments
The obvious. Papa Was a Rollin Stone is an all time classic! The rest, pretty damn good as well. Funky, soulful, great vocal harmonies. Some social justice. All in all, a superb album.
De longe "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone é a maior preciosidade do álbum, o que não significa que o restante seja ruim, só sinto que acaba por roubar a maior parte da atenção para uma excelente música. De maneira geral, ótimo.
Funky. I think I liked this record a little more than their other record on this list. Favourite Track(s): Love Woke Me Up This Morning Least Favourite Track(s): Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
I liked it, but not much really struck me.
Liked this funk up front album, wanted to dance to a lot of it.
Apart from track 2 an absolute pleasure. Motown and funk. 4/5
Papa was a rollin' stone is a classic. The first and last tracks are also strong but apart from that a mixed bag.
This album is surprisingly political with a strong social consciousness on hit track Papa. I admit that I prefer hearing the group deliver pop hits (and this is certainly not that) but I do appreciate the smooth, gentle soulfulness throughout this half hour.
Gosh what a lovely record, correct me if I’m wrong but they didn’t have a part in writing or arranging any of this? With that in mind I’m going with a 4, if this was all their compositions it’d be a low 5 as it’s beautiful
Un très bon album de Soul, j'aime particulièrement la seconde partie tout en douceur. Et bien évidemment le single Papa was a rolling stone, incontournable.
Superb vocals, some really good songs. Some filler. 4
Good i had thoughts but mostly it was just a pleasant album a good backdrop to conversation but like nothing crazy that one that was like Run chalie run or whatever was crazy but otjerwise chill
2.5 stars It’s not bad. But a lot of 70s funk-inspired soul goes on too long and I wasn’t into the 12 minutes “Papa was a rolling stone.” And the cover of “The First Time I Ever Saw Her face” cover was just a recreation of the original. I wouldn’t listen to this again.
So funky! I only think of the temptations in the doo wop 50's style. I had no idea they did Papa was a rolling stone!
I like it
Funkier than expected
Love this one. Big headspin from Sea Change. Great and under appreciated by the Temptations.
Some good stuff, some duds.
'Papa' is great but the rest of this album is forgettable. Very poor opening two tracks.
There's really not much to dislike about this album. Just incredible vocal talent and themes in the music. The one song I previously knew from the record is "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" so was glad to see that come up as it's such a great, funky track. The rendition of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is simply stunning, a beautiful piece of music. "Run Charlie Run" is a great funky track with a good message about racism and prejudice which is significant for its time but also sadly still relevant, especially the line about "passing the sickness onto your son". "I Ain't Got Nothin" and "Mother Nature" are very soulful and heartfelt that I think lots of people can relate to. Overall I really liked this, and the fact I wanted to listen to it a second time the next day tells me it's worthy of a 5 star.
Not my usual listening choice or style, but there are some goooood songs on here. Papa Was a Rolling Stone is excellent. Long and excellent.
Muscular 70s funk with no fucks.
maybe one of the first motown albums ive fully heard, wasnt too bad! very chill but also a boogie.. saved 3 songs to my liked songs
bacana, mas fiquei um pouco entediada do meio pro final. mas as últimas faixas são legais!
Light years away from “My Girl”. Funky and earthy 70s offering. I like it
5.5/10
Not for me. Idrk why.
Good
Half funk and half soul and zero interest from my part. Thanks to this list I'm discovering that both funk and soul are not really my thing, with some exceptions, like Nina Simone or Stevie Wonder (even though I wasn't crazy about 'Fulfillingness' First Finale'). So I'll say beforehand that I didn't like this album and there was nothing that interested me, despite of how passionate or good they can sing. This album starts with the funk side and it also starts incredibly weak. The first song is a live recording which sounds incredibly unbalanced to the right, and it was uncomfortable to listen to. Thankfully, there's no more live material in the album, and 'Run Charlie Run' sounds way better, but still a bit rough around the edges. Next track is "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", a song that seems to be very loved by fans, but to me felt like 12 minutes of nothing happening. The following four songs are all very slow soul that I couldn't resonate with, and it is a pity, because they feel very genuine. Lastly, they end the album with the slow funk track 'Do Your Thing'. If I didn't make it clear before, I'll say it again. I didn't care. So yes, a very dull experience for me.
Funky, not funky enough. Somewhat too minimalistic at times. Political! e.g. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" Fav: Do Your Think = groovy bassline
Day 38/1089 I vaguely recognise the name The Temptations but I haven't exactly listened to much Motown. Or much of anything before 1990 actually. I mostly listen to midwest emo and pop-punk. Mostly soulful, partially funky, all around fantastic album. Full of emotion, full of great music. I was torn between 4 and 5, then realised all the reviews were talking about Papa Was A Rolling Stone and it wasn't in the track list on tidal. for some reason they don't have it in this album? but they have the full song on other albums? So then I went and listened to a 12 minute song, loved it, and it very clearly is a 5/5 album.
4/10
Not thing was special in this album. No song surprised me(except for run Charlie run obviously). It was so mediocre and boring but I can’t say the songs themselves were bad they just didn’t make me feel anything
3.0
6/10 When this album is at its peak, it is so, so good. It’s funky, groovy, has bags of soul and attitude, and the instrumental work from The Funk Brothers is exquisitely in the pocket, and rammed full of vibe. The better vocals on the record are delivered with a bit of bite and edge to them, while maintaining a smooth swagger that really hooks your ear into the song, with the rest of the band providing superb backing and punctuation to elevate that main delivery. Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone is an absolute classic of the genre and is rightfully considered one of the high points of Motown’s catalogue. It may not be the first version of the track, but it’s certainly the definitive one. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Funky Music and The First Time, both of which have superior versions released by other artists, which makes the ones on here feel like a little bit of a letdown by comparison. I think that using a fairly poorly recorded live version of Funky Music was also an incredibly strange choice to open the record with. And that’s the main problem with this album: It’s quite uneven, both from a song choice and recording point of view. The first side builds from the opener and gets stronger, culminating with a masterpiece, but then the quality feels like it drops again, only really building back up to its best for the last couple of tracks of side two. That’s not to say any of it is bad, per se, it’s just a little unexciting here and there, which is only put into starker relief by the aforementioned ‘other, better versions’ issue. With all that being said, this was still a solid listen and Papa is an exceptional 1/3 of the album, so it’s definitely worth giving this a fresh spin now and again. Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On - This is a great song. I’m a big fan of Edwin Starr version, and while this sounds like a decent performance of the song, it lacks a bit of the grit of that earlier version. It also sounds like it was recorded on a single mic from the sound desk. It’s a weak recording, a lot of the detail and nuance is lost and it’s just quite an odd way to open a studio album. Run Charlie Run - Now we’re getting into the swing of things. The verses are so fluid and groovy and the instrumentation from The Funk Brothers is great. I feel like the momentum gets a bit lost in the chorus which just feels a bit stilted. The lead vocal is great and has a tasty bit of attitude, but it feels a little bit lost in places as the mix feels a little muddled. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone - This is an absolute classic. It ebbs and flows so nicely through the instrumental sections, with parts coming and going, building and falling away. It would be easy for a track like this to get boring, with the bass and hi-hat repeating for so long, but the considered arrangement and mixing hold it together superbly well. When we get to the vocal, it’s delivered so smoothly and emoted so well that it shines. The backing vocals only enhance it too. There are so many little moments of quality that just flutter in for a moment here and there, particularly from the guitar, but also the strings and trumpet. It’s an atmospheric, slow funky soul masterpiece. Love Woke Me Up This Morning - We’re swinging over to something a bit more pop soul. It’s decent enough, but it’s a bit too much of a soft ballad for me. I prefer their funkier efforts. The lead vocal is a tad on the shrill side too, which makes it more of a challenging listen. I Ain't Got Nothin' - Similarly to the last track, this is pretty laid back. The lead vocal is more subtly delivered and has a bit more body, so it’s more satisfying in that regard. The backing vocals from the rest of the band are solid too. It’s a bit of a drifting composition that occasionally comes together really nicely, but generally does drift in and out of focus a little too much. The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face) - It’s a difficult thing to listen to a song like this that has been recorded so many times and be completely objective about it. Particularly when Roberta Flack has complete ownership of this song and her version precedes this one. This is a really nice recording. The instrumentation is well put together and has a lazy but persistent drive to it. The piano and strings are great. And the vocal was pretty great too. It just wasn't Roberta. Mother Nature - There’s a funky groove that sits under this and gives it a bit more vibe and feel than some of the other tracks. It’s a proper finger clicker of a track. The lead vocal has a little bit of grit and drive to it that gives it edge too. The Funk Brothers are on top form here, it’s so in pocket and every instrument brings so much soul to the recording. Quality. Do Your Thing - More of that slow, funky groove. This has got great swagger to it from everyone. The lead vocal is smooth, the backing vocals elevate it too, and The Funk Brothers are back in the pocket. So much feel and groove to everything here, this is just so cool and smooth. Quite a lot of the instrumentation is sparingly used, but if anything it’s more effective because of that. What a great way to see out the record.
Experimental Cure for sure. Don’t expect greatest hits material. Cerebral.
アルバムの音圧が低いことを意識してなくて、途中まで音量不足で聞いてしまったことも一因かもしれないけど、あまり乗れなかった。 3曲目について、長い曲には大体長くするだけの展開性やキャッチーさなどの根拠があるから評価が高くなることが多いと思ってるけど、この曲に関しては特にそれを感じなかった。 他の人のレビューを見ると、歌詞の評価が高いようなので、自分はこのアルバムの魅力を十分受け取れていなさそう。
It's good, it's different than My Girl, and older stuff. It's funky and Papa Was A Rolling Stone is an epic song, but the rest of the album appears to be filler material around that. Good, but not my jam. 2.75 / 5 stars
This is probably an influential record, and I see how it might have even influenced vernacular American English. But I don't think it's good.
Solid album, can tell how influential this has been since it's release
Excellent funk
Not a fan of Funk, boring to me. We have some Funk songs and some ballads and the typical Motown production, which does not help the Album. Fav: Papa was a rollin´ stone (if it was eight minutes shorter)
'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' is worth everything on this album.
Papa was a Rollin Stone, and when be died, this album was born. The pace, the vibe, such a great flow. Starting with a live song was not an ideal choice for me but everything that followed was excellent
What a great jam.
Wanted to like it more than I did. Papa was epic (j) Very lovely background music for a rainy reading day on the couch (h)
Such a smooth, soothing Album. I found myself feeling more grounded and calmer with each song. Not one to listen to frequently, but It's handy to know it for when i need some smooth vibes.
SO 70s which it is
Come back to this
3,5 - Für mich es etwas zu ruhig, aber so Bomben wie Papa Was A Rolling Stone allein machen das Album allein schon hörenswert. Highlights: Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Mother Nature
Bardziej mi podeszło niż "Cloud Nine" tej samej formacji. Były takie krótkie momenty, kiedy ocierało się to dla mnie o czwórkę. "I Ain't Got Nothin'" to dla mnie top utwór z płyty, bardzo mi się podobał, tekściarsko jest bardzo fajny - melancholijny, bluesowy, ale zabawny i przewrotny. Wyróżnienie też dla bardzo gładkiego i mocno osadzonego "Do Your Thing" oraz za początek i pierwsze wersy "Run Charlie Run". "Mother Nature" też spoko. Całość jednak nie wciągnęła mnie aż na tyle, żebym dawał temu czwórkę. Miało swoje momenty, kilka utworów przykuło moją uwagę, ale to bardziej była dla mnie ciekawostka i rozszerzenie wiedzy muzycznej, niż doświadczenie, które chciałbym powtórzyć.
Strong presence. A socially aware group.
Groovy
Neblogas, nepretenzingas.
A lot of soul in here and great instrumentation all throughout. Vocals were also great. 6/10, Favorite Song: Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On
Laid back soul and a couple of classic tracks, still sounds good .
Simply didn’t like it. This genre doesn’t make me feel anything. Says it’s R&B and soul on Apple Music. Sounds like it would have movie soundtracks on it but I don’t care to google.
523/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
This was an interesting album. The funky stuff is always great and it gets surprisingly deep. Run Charlie Run was an unexpected song but it was a fascinating listen. The Temptations are a great group!
very long version of Papa was a Rolling Stone
Highlights - big iron, El Paso, they’re hanging me tonight
Groupe inconnu. Bons grooves sur les premiers morceaux, même si 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone' est un peu trop long et pas assez varié à mon gout. Les morceaux suivants sont moins intéressants (moins funk). Je ne suis pas sur d'avoir envie de l'écouter une seconde fois. =>2/5
3/5
prva polovina album mojih snova; poslušala tri puta
Soulful and beautiful album, songs are amazing and tell a story in each one, great to listen to and it keep you hooked all the way through. Loved it.
i enjoyed this album
enjoyable
это реально очень хорошо, под настроение я бы и сама это слушала. а так по радио или с семьей-с удовольствием каждая песня отличается от предыдущей papanwas a rollin stone
Medio monótono pero me gustó
Album 1009 of 1089 All Directions - The Temptations (1972) Rating : 3.5 / 5 I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I’ve always had a soft spot for that late-’60s / early-’70s blend of pop, rock, funk, and soul, and The Temptations wear it well here. This album really feels like a time capsule to 1972 - polished but not slick, confident without being flashy. The grooves are steady, the vocals are strong, and the production fits the era perfectly. Nothing here is trying too hard or reaching for something it isn’t. It’s just solid music delivered by a group that knew exactly who they were at this point in their career. Maybe not an album packed with instant stand-out singles for me, but as a full listen it works well and holds your attention. A good example of a veteran group evolving with the times without losing their identity. Easy to enjoy, easy to recommend.
Not my thing I guess
From what I know about the Temptations they were a 60s soul group putting out classics like My Girl and Just My Imagination. But by the time 1972 came about they were doing funk like everybody else, which is how the 12 minute Papa Was A Rolling Stone came about. This is an acclaimed and epic song and all great, but a bit of a drag for me in parts. Of more interest to me is the sunshine of Love Woke Me Up This Morning and the frankly hilarious Run Charlie Run, a song about white people moving out of a neighbourhood when blacks move in ('Look, the niggers are coming!'). At just 34 minutes long, more than a third is the centrepiece track but there's good stuff around it (I Ain't Got Nothin'), although the cover of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is somewhat dreary.
Great early soul album
Great, some a tad louder than others for my liking. [ ☞ ] = recommended. ☞ “I Ain’t Got Nothin’” ☞ “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
Not my fav album
Good album. I just wish the singing on some of the songs was a little louder 7/10
Хороший спокійний jazzy альбом, але мене нічого не зачіпило Хороший вокал, все дуже красіво, але якось когбудто не інтересно
Similar to the other album by them on this list, I liked a couple songs but everything else I don't remember and won't reach for again.
Wherever He Laid His Hat Was His Home 1001 Albums Generator 195 (12/31/2025) This is the second album I've had by The Temptations, and it follows almost the same formula as Cloud Nine. The first half of the album is pretty fun funk music, with a cornerstone long composition, and the second half is completely forgettable fluff. It's too bad because that first half really is fantastic, especially Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On and the monumental epic, Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, which I thought was too long on first listen, but has really justified its length on subsequent listens. I have pretty much nothing to say about the second half, except that Do Your Thing is kind of tolerable I guess. These guys were not an album band in my opinion. 3/5. Favs: Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On Run Charlie Run Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Least Fav: The First Time Even I Saw Your Face
Really the only song I knew by them was “my girl” and figured they were largely easy listening based off that song. Good funk/soul album, first half of the album is strongest part
So good, so vibey
Really nice to hear something that isn't R&B Slop. I was more familiar with their other work from the 1960s so I was pleasantly surprised by this entry. A hidden highlight for me was "I Ain't Got Nothing" that took inspiration from 1950s groups.
Litt kjedelig funk..
background olarak çok iyiiii ama bilemedim The first time ever I saw your face :))
this was v groovy I liked it a lot 4.5/5
I really enjoyed listening to this album. Will probably revisit, but wasn't pulled in.
I don't know what it is about this album, but aside from a few songs I was feeling really underwhelmed. I think the style is just not my vibe. Clearly the musicianship was great. I think I'm one of those people most of these reviews make fun of for liking their earlier work better.
It's ok.
I'll take a little Motown any day. Is Puzzle People on this list? I like that one more than this one.
This is a really well done album. I had never heard any of these songs except Papa was a Rolling Stone and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. I have heard the drums off the first track before but as a sample I believe. Love the musicianship and spirit of this album.
This is a good album. After starting with the classic Motown sound, The Temptations were one of the early bands to blend their soul with psychedelic rock and create a beautiful mix of sounds. We get amazing vocal harmonies with funky jams and spacey effects. Lyrical themes also moved from strictly love songs to incorporating political themes. Anyway this is a good example of this genre and an important historical landmark. Personally I don’t think the song writing is uniformly great so I think I’ll call this a solid three stars. Definitely worth a listen but for better examples of this genre look to Marvin Gaye or The Four Tops.
I wasn't really sure what to expect on this one... Motown perhaps? It was funky. A fun little jaunt. But, it didn't do much to pull me away from thoughts elsewhere (in this case an epic backyard cricket bowling attack!). 3 stars.
This album is like 60s porn. The women have soul, sass, and hairy muffs. The men have already hooked up with other women this morning, and have plans to meet up with other woman later.
When that drum beat came in on track 1, I had a feeling we were gonna be in for a good time. The funky bass kicked in and I was all for it. Track 2, the political statement was different, but I can get with it. But then it slowed and just sort of lost its groove. Papa was a rolling stone is ok, but does it need to be over 12 minutes long (the answer is, god no). Some took an exciting album and made it drag.
It was just black america type of aesthetic. I didn't like it at all
Very chill album! Had some bangers here and there and did not drag itself. Really loved the middle tracks.
70s soul funk. Great band. 4
Bara ett bra album! Dryper av 70-tal. Funky!
This is a mixed affair: Side A is Funk, while Side B is R&B. It's fine, but side A is much, much better, and the dip in quality drags this album down a little. 2.5/5
finally a non-white band first album on this list that I felt actually deserve to be on this list. the strings and horns and vocals all come together to make some very smooth and romantic vibe love woke me up this morning is such beautiful song definitely a blue print of many great modern love songs
Not for me. 1/5
Papa was a rolling stone hasn’t really clicked for me yet, but I still enjoyed the album.
okay…not for me
Really good funky stuff
Nice, and chill. Enjoyable
i like the trumpet!!! run charlie run is good
very good
it's ok
I liked this one a lot! I've been getting rock albums non-stop, so I was very glad to get this album. :)
Seventies Temptations are my favorite Temptations and some of my favorite funk. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is a stone-cold classic. While you can't expect other tracks to measure up to it, there are some jams on this album. A couple clunkers bring it down to four stars. But the Temptations are still where it's at.
This is better than the other Temptations album on this list. Where that felt at times grating and weird, this is mostly smooth soul mixed with funk. Both types of song are done very well, with excellent singing throughout. As with the other Temptations album, there was an overlong song(11 min!), but it wasn't as bad as the one on the other album. While that album felt like a work in progress, this feels like the finished, smooth product of a tight, talented performing unit.
-another 70s… -straight off the bat i know this will be an album that is not technically bad but i just don’t like this style so im not gonna enjoy it much -nice voice and some funky beats -at least it’s short - albums like this are just like i’m never gonna feel compelled to listen to this ever again over every other album if that makes sense -and like a 10 minute song please i can’t deal with all these long 70s songs
Papa's a rolling stone
The Temptations are like a less flashy/funky Sly and the Family Stone. Just as goofy though. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone is awesome though. This isn't awful, but across the history of R&B/Soul there are much better albums. The Temptations probably deserve credit for the barely singing bass member, I'm looking at you Boyz II Men. They really spelled it with a z. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is for a woman to sing. Something doesn't sit right when a man, no matter how falsetto his voice, sings it.
i especially like love woke me up this morning and i ain’t got nothin’
A quarter of the album is Papa was a rolling stones. The others are a bit samey, but mostly a good vibe.
Nice.
Excellent album. The soul is real on this one.
I enjoyed every track. Easy listening and album stood the test of time.
Classic funk and soul standards. High quality instrumentation and arrangement. Enjoyed all the tracks — “Do Your Thing” is smoothnesses incarnate. 4.3/5.0
It was fine. Nothing special
Classic soul, good party vibes
You know I don't think I've ever thought of the concept of a 50s-60s vocal group going into funk ever. When I think of the Temptations, I think of My Girl which is iconic. It even brings back memories of my friend Maddie singing it before a concert earlier this year, but I digress. It all makes sense really. They lose their most known member David Ruffin and move on by making a big change entrusting Norman Whitfield to bring them more into psych, soul and funk. We come now to All Directions which I'm sure is here due to the sound but also because of the centerpiece 11 minute Papa Was A Rolling Stone. I recall years ago seeing this song recommended in a Discord server and thinking "Hey, the Temptations made a long song?". I didn't listen to it then, but I hear it and it's real nice. The rest of the album is alright if I have to say. Really, Papa Was A Rolling Stone was the only truly great song here, though a shoutout goes to I Ain't Got Nothin' and The First Time I Saw Your Face. Those sho-bop, sho-bops in the former are quite something. Simple Monday listen (6/10, 3/5 on this scale)
okay
Lowkey fire
I feel bad for not liking this, but I didn't really enjoy it
Tough one to rate - comes out of the gate strong, but really loses steam in the back half as it gets more ballad-heavy. 12-minute version of Papa Was a Rolling Stone was sort of cool but lacked enough changes in direction to sustain interest for that long (feel sorry for the bass player). Overall a pleasant enough listen but found myself wanting more.
Killer opening track, loved the beat. The funk is great. Even better closing track. Amazing. I don't think I'll ever really care for the slower R&B, high pitch voice of the temptations. Just not my thing. But a lot else on here I really liked.
A bit of a shambles but I really enjoyed it. I went it to it fearing it would be the type of music that one original member would tour to provincial theatres with a bunch of stand-ins. It receives the standard bonus star for not being another boring rock record.
A little inconsistent with its style and tone, going from r&b to disco, to funk, to doo wop. Some highlights for me included the audacity to have a nearly 4 minute intro to ‘papa was a rolling stone’ which in total takes up a third of the album; the entirety of ‘the first time I ever saw your face’ which, the more I listen to, speaks to me as one of the all time great songs; and the nearly hour of sleuthing to find out which film or tv show Alice and I have both heard ‘I only have eyes for you’ (though apparently, not this version). Otherwise flew by (it’s a quick album), and the duds were comparatively not too bad on here.
An easy 4. It got a 3 for the baseline to Papa was a Rolling Stone alone. Groovy.
Genial
This feels like two albums in one. The first side is a good funky time. It's got a fairly standard but groovy funk tune, a hard hitting socially conscious message, and a satisfyingly drawn-out funk soul jam. The second side leans into a smoother soul sound and feels a bit sleepy. The music is pretty, but too slow and empty. It would be alright if the vocals were amazing, but they're merely good. The closer is the most interesting song on the second side as it gets back into the realm of funk. A 4 for the first side and a 2 for the second, so a 3 overall feels about right.
A later entry from the Temptations. Lots of emotion in this album- a mix of funk/soul plus vocal harmonies remiscent of their Motown years. A couple of hits, and a lot of enjoyable songs. Overall- good album. 3.5 to 4 / 5
Unstoppable groove, LOVED Fave tracks: Papa was a rolling stone (they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore) I ain’t got nothing
Groovy! Favorite track: Papa Was a Rolling Stone
Moments I really liked But lots that didn’t leave much of an impression But that cover of 1st time … is phenomenal
70's funk Temptations. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Do Your Thing
Definitely not my style of music. Still, I can see why this is on the list and how it was so successful. It's a well-made album with strong musical skills, particularly vocals. "Run Charlie Run" was... whooo, VERY pointed, and did make me uncomfortable in a way that was worthwhile and worth sitting with.
I was a fan of the og Temptations originally, up till their guitarists got their fuzzed out wahwah pedals cranked up. I'll give this a try but promise nothing. Ok, I'm giving this 3 stars, but only because it includes "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."
Good album. Wonderful harmony’s and a nice full sound.
Nothing wrong with this. It just wasn't memorable for me.
Another largely boring and uninspiring funk album. I like funk when it's done right, but I'm not a big fan of this album.
Smooth classy soul. Great production and bass playing. Managed to turn a simple repetitive riff into an 11 minute classic!
- soul bem melódico, mas que se aventura por outros estilos, como blues e funk. faz críticas importantes à segregação racial e traz uma gama de performances e arranjos que mostram a versatilidade do grupo. - o formato e ritmo de produção dos álbuns impediram uma produção mais elaborada e polida. em algumas músicas a gravação acaba soando meio estranha.
Has the problem of a lot of albums of this era where they start really strong and funky and get really sappy and ballady in the second half. Still a great first half. 3/5
Supremely funky, infectious grooves, and powerful lyrics. This is the kind of album that absolutely belongs on this list.