Reviews (page 8 of 13)
Funky I would listen to this again.
A half hour of soul funk beauty
Hørt om disse gutta før. Noen ganger funky, ofte sjelfullt. Behagelig musikk for sene kvelder og tidlige morninger. Top 3: Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone, Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On, Love Woke Me Up This Morning
Not bad
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone elevates this album (it is a cover, like several of the tracks, but they own it). The first few tracks are so solid, but the album becomes stodgy in the second half.
This had more soul than what I know as "Motown" but maybe I don't know Motown? Either way, I liked but not as much as other Motown I've heard in the past.
The "My Girl" guys got some FUNK. The first half slaps, the second half i fell asleep through.
I was happy to see this band pop-up on the list. Great album, especially side A with the full-length, 12 minute Papa was a rollin's stone. The rest was also great, groovy, smooth. Great listen.
The only ones I want to listen again are “Run Charlie Run” and “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone”
Interesting mix of songs. I seemed to like it better the send time around. Papa was a Rollin Stone is a classic.
80’s
Nice.
Not the best Temptations album, but still good.
Again, like WAR - the album only really took off after the intro. The sunshine rising in your eyes song was a sure shot way to ensure it's success. The vibes were good - not like I could ever write like that. Excited for the next.
Nie aż tak porywające. Bardziej na 3
Soul is one of the best genres in my opinion, but The Temptations never really grabbed my attention much and this continues to be the case here. Except for the wonderful Papa Was a Rolling Stone and the pretty cool opener nothing here is super interesting. It just kinda lacks passion and, well, soul. It's very much alright but nothing else.
Real fab sounds here and there. Some tunes were spun out too long but there is real soul to the sounds in this album.
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
“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.
Good singles, weird album
Solid but not exceptional.
Boh bellino pure per carità ma molto dimenticabile per i miei gusti 😭 Run Charlie Run hit
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.
Goog
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.
“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.
so funky so good
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.
The first 3 songs are banging. The last one is solid. The middle - not my bag
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.
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.
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.
I was expecting awesomeness and this didn’t blow me away. My ears may have been broken today.
Mostly good. Very cool. Rolling Stone drags a bit, Do Your Thing and Funky Music are great.
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
Ihan perus mukavaa Motown funk. 3/5.
Menevää funkkia taasen Temptationsilta, tuskin menee jatkuvaan soittoon, mutta taustalla kuunteluun toimii oikein hyvin edelleen.
Не знаю мой папа не был Роулинг Стоуном
Wisselend
A double double day! Have listened to both albums today already. And yes, Papa Was a Rolling Stone is still a banger.
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
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.
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.
A couple of real bangers on there
Good melodies and tunes, but I can't say I really liked it. Rate 5/10
Bien pero el sonido necesita ser remasterizado. 3.8
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
ok
Big fan of that one long arse song in the middle, I love those
Left me wanting more, I like the more soulful tracks on the B side. 6/10
Enjoyed this but definitely preferred their other one on this list
I love the 60s-era Temptations. This was not as good as I hoped.
I feel like it lacked energy
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.
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
Dosta više uspavljujuće nego što sam očekivala, ali generalno prijatna muzika i baš lijep pravi motown bas pa je sve ok.
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.
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.
Has its moments
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.
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.
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
I like it
Funkier than expected
Some good stuff, some duds.
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.
bacana, mas fiquei um pouco entediada do meio pro final. mas as últimas faixas são legais!
5.5/10
Good
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.
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
Solid album, can tell how influential this has been since it's release
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)
SO 70s which it is
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.
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 .
523/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
very long version of Papa was a Rolling Stone
Highlights - big iron, El Paso, they’re hanging me tonight
3/5
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”
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
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
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.
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 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.
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.
Very chill album! Had some bangers here and there and did not drag itself. Really loved the middle tracks.
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
Papa was a rolling stone hasn’t really clicked for me yet, but I still enjoyed the album.
okay…not for me
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.
A quarter of the album is Papa was a rolling stones. The others are a bit samey, but mostly a good vibe.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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
Le cover est drôle on dirait un album de Noël, dans les tons/couleur et la police d'écriture. C'est dansant, quand même le fun, mais le soul ça m'anime pas plus qu'il faut.
The “epic” 12-minute “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” is worth the time, but I don’t know that it really coheres with the message of the song. It’s a very tense, suspenseful rendition, more suited to a heightened dramatic scene than reflections, laments from mother to son, son to listener, etc. But it’s a damn impressive miss. Likewise the rendition of “The First Time...” points up a regular practice of groups from the 60s and 70s that has disappeared: established groups doing their own take on a hit song. Sure, you’ve heard Roberta Flack, but what about your heroes The Temptations? It’s a fine take, but doesn’t surpass Flack’s mix of melancholy and longing.
This is just groovy enough
Classic soulful record that blends the old doo-wop styles of the group with a newer consciousness. The unfortunate part is they don’t really fully buy in, but it’s a vibe nonetheless.
Ordentliche Beats der 70er ohne Supersongs.
Not for me but I see the talent.
DISCO FUNK! I’ve been waiting for a 70s disco funk album. Super groovy, super funky, exactly the kind of rhythm-driven music I enjoy. The long build ups work well and add to the vibe, though I do wish a couple of tracks were slightly less repetitive. At around 35 minutes, the album hits the perfect listening length for me, long enough to immerse yourself in the atmosphere. The use of effects, especially wah and reverb, combined with their stylistic approach makes the the experience even richer. I love this type of sound, and the fact that they were pioneers of it only elevates the record in my opinion. Visually, the album cover isnt overly flashy but it conveys exactly what it needs to, a confident experienced group stylistically in step with the decade they were helping shape. The aesthetic fits the mood. Overall, All Directions might not be as immediately accessible as some of The Temptations’ earlier work, but its legacy speaks for itself. It’s ambitious, immersive, and home to one of the most iconic soul tracks ever recorded. Favourite tracks: Run Charlie Run, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Mother Nature, Do Your Thing
Start was good and then it went meh
An interesting and even good album without being amazing . The first 3 songs are all great but never really get going - sounding like continuous intros if anything
Unos genios. Toda la onda. Increíble cómo arranca arriba funk y van hacia algo más R&B o cosita más soul al final. Me gustó y nunca los había escuchado. 6/10
Butter smooth, great for a chill listen on an easy day. Favorite track was mother nature
One of the things I appreciate about this exercise is learning stuff. For example, in the before times, if you had asked me whether The Temptations wrote their own material, I would have said 'sure.' However, a perfunctory Wikipedia search of All Directions revealed that all of the songs were written by a mischief of songwriters. (I assume a group of songwriters is called a mischief, like magpies.) A further internet query revelated that The Temptations' biggest hits were probably written by either Smokey Robinson or Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield. The latter contribute to All Directions. This era Temptations could just as easily be called Norman Whitfield presents The Temptations. While I appreciate that the members of The Temptations are talented singers and dancers, I just cannot get over the fact this is basically karaoke. Of course, it is well choreographed karaoke, but karaoke none the less.
Cool sound.
There's a lot I liked about this album. Funky beats and good vocals. I think it started off really strong. However, I think it fell into the pattern that a lot of albums have fallen into: it starts out high energy, slows down, and never picks back up. I think even moving "Run Charlie Run" to the end could have made this album more cohesive. I just wanted something that packed more of a punch at the end to round everything else out.
No Drifters
Some banging funk tunes, then some real schmaltzy stuff.
Day 95 Starts very strong with 3 belting tracks but nothing else on here gets close to those 5/10 Highlights Funky Music sho nuff turns me on Run Charlie run Papa was a rolling stone
5/10 Ok, thank you. 11-17-2025
Not my favourite by the Temptations, but still good
Very groovy, I like it. 7/10 Favourite track: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
It has a strong vibe, and it's recorded well, to the extend that I had to double check how many heads there are in this group. "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" is a classic, but I'm not sure I like it enough for a 12-minute version, especially on a 35 minute record.
Didn't love the opening track.
A nice mix of funk, soul and Motown. A good album.
En grower, di erste catched so mittel aber irgendwenn gits en turning Point. 3.5
An 11-minute version of Papa Was A Rolling Stone alone was worth the ride.
Not a genre I listen to at all Funky but tired of it quickly early songs Recognise some classics which were nice - papa was a rolling stone and love woke me up this morning Some really relaxing music could be great for relaxing in the evening with a romantic book
There were some great moments on this album, including the opening track (though the mix was rather garbled) and “Run Charlie Run.” I appreciate a band taking a political stance in their music. With that said, it doesn’t feel super cohesive as an album. And though it was well-performed, none of the songs were too memorable for me. I also am not crazy about “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” and it takes up a third of the runtime.
I'll admit I'm probably giving this one short shrift but I wasn't super impressed. Papa Was a Rolling Stone is an all-time classic and a couple other songs were kinda nice but this was far from The Temptations at their best. I'm probably not the best person to comment on it but Run Charlie Run feels like a really clumsy approach to the topic, and from what I'm reading it seems like the Temptations never wanted to do it in the first place. Papa Was a Rolling Stone is a 5/5, the rest is probably a 2 or 3.
The Temptations are delightful and I could listen to these harmonies all day, but the album’s carried by Papa Was A Rollin Stone. The last six albums have all been slower indie bands and it was so nice to hear something with real bass in it. Already in collection
As the Beastie Boys once said: "Oh my God, that's some funky sh..."
Pek benim tarzım değil ama güzel albüm.
This starts with a funky, groovy smack to the face, leaving me with high optimism for the rest of the album. But whilst the instrumentals and delivery are fantastic throughout, the rest of it blends into a calmer, slower pace, that doesn't leave as much much as an impression. It's still good music, but the second half of the album felt like it had something missing for me.
The Temptations seem to have been around my whole life. i don't really think of them as a group, more of a franchise. A tool to sing songs that the writers couldn't or wouldn't sing themselves. Like 'Trigger's broom', 6 new handles and 8 new heads, but still the same broom. And there always seem to be 2 or 3 versions of "The Temptations" touring at any one time. So I don't know which incarnation these guys were, but all the songs are pretty good, bar the opener live track which doesn't really fit. Highlight is 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone', a classic. 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' is good though I prefer the Roberta Flack version. Nice stuff.
Wah Wah Watson was the star of this album...which isn't optimal if you're the Temptations.
papa was a rolling stone is great
3.5
I like The Temptations. You like The Temptations. We all like The Temptations. Let's face it though; they're a singles group. This album tries to be an album, but the songs just ain't there. It just about scrapes a three score.
Got some bangers on it. Very loooooooooong songs.
Didn't really know much about Motown type music. I can see why it's good but personally not really my taste for the majority of my moods.
Run Charlie Run was a shock as I was tuned out when it started. Overall the album is fine, mastering is good but the music isn't for me. It's a bit dull and its message doesn't resonate.
Altijd wel een zwak voor the Temptations. Echt spannend wordt de plaat natuurlijk niet maar heerlijk om lekker aan te zetten en in huis (of op de camping) een fijn sfeertje te creëeren. 7/10 Highlights Funky Music So Nuff Turns Me On Papa was a Rolling Stone
Listened to this a few times and each time it could not keep my attention. Fine music.
I kept playing this record through, kind of zoning out, and then I would perk up at a great song, but then realize it's a Spotify of more Temptations or Temptations-adjacent songs. That's all to say, these guys seem cool as hell, but I think I gravitate to their more fun songs. I liked Funky Music, Papa, and Do Your Thing.
It was ok. Nothing too special. I knew Papa Was a Rolling Stone, but I never knew it was 9 minutes long. I also knew the song First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, but I didn’t know their version.
Good soul, good funk, good beats, a good listen, surprised me
Great emotion carried in their voices, mixed with abit of groove made it a solid 3.5
There's a lot of ups and downs in this album. It doesn't help when I don't really like the most popular song off the album. It kind of feels like it gets a little lost in its own sauce.
They definitely lived up to the album title, the tracks go in "all directions." It's not really a bad thing, though. This is the first album I've heard from them, so it gave me an idea of how versatile they are as an artist. Favorite tracks: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Do Your Thing
Not my favorite temps album, but definitely a few bangers in there: papa, and the first i ever saw ya
Good album! Papa was a rollin' stone is the standout track by far, but the rest of the album is alright.
Beautiful version of the first time ever I saw your face. Decent album overall. The first track sounds terribly mixed for some reason, and the album version of a papa was a rollin stone is inferior to the single version imo, too long, not as powerful.
слушабельно, но иногда слишком размыто или хаотично примечательно: love woke me up this morning, I ain't got nothing и do your thing
первая пара треков просто оркестр обезьян, остальные более менее спокойные и прикольные. бесит что инструменты в наушниках отдельно звучат
Funky
Worth a listen.
This is obviously only on the list because of the sprawling and timeless Papa Was a Rolling Stone, but the other seven tracks really aren’t half bad. Run Charlie Run takes a dig at ‘white flight’, I Ain’t Got Nothing is fantastically warmly mixed and envelops you for three minutes, Mother Nature has some properly expressive vocals, and everything is smooth enough to work well interdependently. But of course, it is track number three that is by far the best. Eleven minutes of understated funk that unfolds and builds slowly but feels far quicker than that. It’s a shame the other songs can’t match it, but All Directions functions just fine at around 35 minutes as a great expression of funk and soul.
Good album, not my style of music
This is a cool, chilled album, I think a nice intro to The Temptations. Be more than happy to listen to more of their stuff.
Yeah, it was good.
Papa was a rolling stone is a banger, the rest is kind of forgettable, but it's an easy, short listen.
That was alright, wasn't as good as I was expecting though.
The Temptations are definitely a group that I hadn't ever listened to before going through this list but I've enjoyed both of the albums I've encountered so far. "Cloud Nine" is better, imo, but this is still pretty good.
It was a good vibes album, i enjoyed listening to it, but none of it is going into my rotation. I may revisit it as a whole album though
A strong start that kind of fizzles out into less fun and interesting pieces. Still listenable the whole way through.
Enjoyable if slightly samey soul album. As someone who isn’t massively into 70s funk and soul, this doesn’t have the speed and energy it takes for me to really love this kind of music.
2.5
Fine.
I really enjoyed *All Directions*—the funk and soul hit perfectly, and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” completely drew me in with its hypnotic groove.
Papa was a rolling stone is one of the best songs ever written, the rest just didn’t hit the same heights. A good listen in general tho
Decent enough but expected more
Not too shabby, good enough for three ⭐s imho
Quite a funky album! 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone' definitely is a step above the rest for me despite its long runtime, but I enjoyed the album in its entirety as well. Vocals are definitely the selling point, but the instrumentals are also on point. Don't have much more to say about this, but I enjoyed it a bit more than the average record I'd say. Still, a strong 3 feels appropriate.
Papa was a rolling stone was clearly the most iconic song of this record. I also think it was the best. Run Charlie run, was the second song that made an impression on me. The rest not so much. Clearly a very talented group and the album was short and sweet. Not much that stuck except the main hit. Strong 3.
Easy listen. Cool tunes. Classic.
Smooth groovin!
No mucho que decir. Bastante lindo. Nota: 3.2
It’s a nice album with most of the songs on the slower side. Nothing great, nothing horrible.
Groovy as heck, a little shocking some of the lyrics though but it’s chill i guess.
it was quite enjoyable. i like "papa was a rolling stone"
Very cool
Not bad but a bit hit and miss
Nice grooves!
På grund av att vi fick ett album en dag förtidigt hinner jag inte skriva nåt riktigt. En stark trea, bra men saknar den riktiga udden och funken på det stora hela. Den långa albumversion av "Papa...“ är dock helt makalöst bra.
Omslaget andas svenskt 70-talsdansband. Vi slänger upp bandet i ett träd. Sen gör vi bilden lite oskarp och suddig i kanterna. Men musiken är långt från de svenska dansbanorna. Det sofistikerat och rått på samma gång. Det är inte längre Motown-fabrikens hitkavalkad. Nu är det fullt ut the Whitfield Singers. Norman Withfield såg till att hans namn kom med på framsidan av omslaget. Papa was a Rolling Stone är ett mästerverk. Basen och trummorna som bara maler på medan låten får utvecklas. Det är så bra. Övriga låtar når inte upp till samma höga nivå.
not my thing, but i respect it and i like the instruments.
Some nice songs, but I don't think this was their best album.
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 is a strong slice of early-70s funky soul, full of tight grooves and polished production, but it lives in the shadow of its centerpiece. 𝘗𝘢𝘱𝘢 𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘙𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯’ 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 towers over the record with its sweeping orchestral arrangement, hypnotic bassline, and brooding atmosphere, setting a standard that the rest of the album can’t quite reach. The other tracks are solid — well-played and enjoyable — but they feel more like supporting acts than equals. As a whole, the album shows The Temptations’ ambition and willingness to expand beyond Motown formulas, but its uneven impact makes it more memorable for one masterpiece than for the record itself.
Sometimes maybe good sometimes maybe shit
All Directions definitely has some killer tracks, but the pacing of the albums is a bit off in my opinion. All in all I was underwhelmed by this supposedly all time favourite funk record.
Papa was a Rolling Stone is still a banger, even though the album version is nearly 12 minutes long. The rest is a bit too corny.
I really liked that it’s smooth
Really enjoyed this!
Long form
This started off strong, and I really enjoyed the first three tracks - “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, in particular, is the standout, and a song I’ve always loved. However, it had no business being 12mins long - especially as the first 4mins were intro. From there, the album went downhill for me. The remaining tracks were snoozefests, and struggled keeping me engaged. This version of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was just dull compared to Roberta Flack’s (what it did do, however, was send me to Wiki - I had no idea of the origins of that song!). You can see why the band feel that this was the last of their classics, as this album does feel a lot like that.
Absolutely loved side one, other than Papa Was a Rolling Stone being far far too long at 11 minutes 44 seconds - no vocals kick in until nearly 4 minutes have passed, during which time very little had happened. The single version, at 6 minutes 54 seconds is already long enough. It is one of my favourite songs with handclaps though, and the strings are perfection. A Side - beautiful voices all round, funky, made me want to dance (which given I listened to this the evening after I'd been awake most of the previous night, is high praise indeed). Side B was too slow and ballady for me to enjoy it anywhere as much as the upbeat funk of the previous tracks. Mind you, I think I might be a bit in love with Melvin Franklin's bass vocals. If I was just marking the A side it'd be a 5, but overall it's going to be a 3 3/5
funky
It was a fun album with some interesting lyrics
Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Gets off to a strong start....loving that funky horn section. IMO Papa Was a Rollin' Stone was 3 minutes of awesome surrounded by 9 min of mediocrity. The album bogged down a bit from there , then picks up again w/ The cover of The First Time Ever (I saw Your Face). Overall enjoyed it but don't see myself going back to this album too often.
Few good songs great band tho
Unmemorable aside from Rolling Stone but that song does a lot of the heavy lifting
This one is fine. Really liked a few didn't like a couple. 3 stars.
Good vocals and harmonies! Just not the type of music I listen to very often.
decent enough
Papa Was a Rolling Stone is one of the very best songs of the 70's in my personal opinion and this version, while not the first release, was the best rendition. The rest of the album is fine, with some good tracks but nothing else that rises to that epic level.
I liked it, but not as much as I thought I would.
Best at their funkiest, worst at their slow jam-iest.
The 12 minute version of Papa Was a Rolling Stone might be the greatest funk song ever.
Soooo groovy, i really liked papa was a rolling stone
Smooth. Fav tracks - Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Mother Nature Added to library - Mother Nature
I never heard a "The Temptations" record, but it was a nice listening session this morning. The vocal harmonies are often times adorable. The same is true for the string and brass arrangements. I like the overall goldish glow that the record has from its original era, although it is a little bit too cozy for my taste in its entirety. Highlight: I immediately took "Love woke me up this morning" with me. The title itself is already amazingly romantic and the fairytale opening of the track makes it even better. Will be a great addition to any mixtape or playlist!
70s soul vibe, easy to listen to
Nice high 3
Oh they're legendary, I'm looking forward to this one! Good album, could be funkier for my tastes, but perfect balance for the era and I never knew Shaft started off life here.
Full of funk and soul, All Directions sends the Temptations sound in a different direction than some of their earlier albums. "Papa was a Rolling Stone" is the obvious stand out track, but other tracks like "Mother Nature" get buried under that 12 minute monster of a track. Overall a good album to chill out with.
Smooth but not my favorite thing.
soul oder r&B das intro von papa was a rolling stone!!! c ... War der Titel den ich auch kannte ;) ich kann noch sehr viel lernen bei diesem kanon :)
Classic album. Run Charlie run.
Some amazing vocals, great lyrics, important songs. Overall, it is not that interesting musically for my taste---such is the nature of different tastes. There were parts that dragged here for me, but overall this is, of course, some very good music.
They shoulda split papa was a rolling stone into like 2 songs. Its crazy how they just let that sit in the middle of an album that is nothing like that lol. Its fun otherwise (that song included i just didnt know the album version was that long of the same thing)
way wider range in genre for one album than i've heard on this so far, pretty rad
I feel pretty weird about this album. I mean... It's The Temptations! **The** Temptations! They're one of **the** vocal groups — not just from Motown, but of all time! I know I wasn't too big on the other album of theirs on this list (CLOUD NINE, which I gave a 3), but come on. They deserve that kind of praise, don't they? And this album should be an even bigger slam dunk than the last one I got. After all, it's the one with "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone"! That's one of the **songs** of all time! How could I not love this thing? Yet my weirdness about this album starts right at track one. And it has nothing to do with the song itself — to be frank, I hardly have an opinion on it. And if I don't, that's only because the mixing was so bizarrely terrible that I couldn't even begin to focus on it! Now, check it: I hardly mention mixing. It's a really important aspect of music, of course, but I hardly know enough about it to ever make comments. Why waste the time trying, y'know? So if a song has just mixing just **that** uniquely bad... Seriously, I had to check and make sure my headphones hadn't suddenly died on me. That's how bad the mixing on track one was. Following that, "Run Charlie Run" was... A fine kind of nothing, if I can be honest. But then we hit "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" — here we are! The song of the album! Maybe even the song of The Temptations' career, if you ignore "My Girl". If I'm gonna like — heck, **love** any song from this album, it's gonna be this one. I mean, back when my group got CLOUD NINE, I went and listened to "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" twice just because I knew what a legendary track it was. Listening to it in the context of the album, though... I'unno, it just didn't hit right this time. Like, seven minutes in, I realized that I'd been waiting for the song to **start** and kick up another level, but it never did. Have you ever heard Isaac Hayes's HOT-BUTTERED SOUL? I think I was expecting it to be like something off of that, and yet it just... Wasn't. It never really resolved the tension it was holding the entire time, and when it faded out, I honestly had to blink like, "That's it?" "Walk On By" faded out, too, and it felt way more conclusive than this did. And maybe the unresolved tension was the point, but I guess I'll never know for sure. And, y'know, I get it. It's an album that's trying to get by on these smooth, soulful vibes, and I get that. I'm not opposed to that whatsoever. I gotta tell you, side 2 generally hits that note a lot better than side one did. But I gotta agree with a fellow group member: if you're gonna rely on vibes this heavily, the instrumentation's gotta be a lot richer. The instrumentation felt like it was operating at a 6 or a 7 instead of a 10, y'know? The vocals are, of course. It just really throws everything off. And this is a Motown record! Why aren't the instruments that rich and lush? Goodness. Which is what leads me to feeling so weird about the album. I really wish I could like it more, truly. I know I shouldn't be holding The Temptations in such high regard for nothing; I should have something to point to besides "My Girl" and an impression of a general consensus. And it's not like me not really feeling this album convinced me otherwise, of course. Ultimately, it's a fine, good enough soul record. I'm not sitting here with my illusions shattered or anything. I might've had my expectations set too high... Or maybe The Temptations are more of a singles group than an albums one, I'unno. Either way, I just wish I coulda gotten a bit more out of this. Ah well.
Funky, pretty good, not great. 34 mins. 1st album. 5/10.
Some great grooves and pitchy-ass falsetto made this one fun but inessential. I had Isaac Hayes's Hot Buttered Soul just a couple of days ago, and that was a much better psych-R&B album from the same period.
Their sound is great for soul/funk, I just wish they wrote more interesting songs
Very Chill vibes and moody but a but African type
I love a bit of the temptations, even though not their best. I would still listen again and again
good
Not a bad album but weirdly produced in some areas, had some songs I enjoyed but overall ok
As tempted as I am to give this 5 stars, I have to admit, I was a little bored after the first half of this album. Not trying to take anything away from a legendary group, just admitting that The Temptations have never really been my bag.
Nice listening
This album feels like a big tonal shift for what I knew of them. Bet that was something culturally.
Not as good as the other Temptations album; not as fun.
Funky.
Pas mal mais pas exceptionnel non plus
Pretty good! First half was good, second half was alright. Papa Was A Rolling Stone was super cool, but part of me wishes there was a bigger buildup.
Fake live songs are a pet peeve of mine, so I didn’t like the first song as much as I might’ve. The second song just made me go “huh, that’s two days in a row with a pop/funk album that prominently uses the n-word in its second song”. “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” is a stone cold jam. It’s rare that an 11-minute song can fly by like that one does. The rest of the album has the same problem that Cloud 9 had. The group seemed to want to have one foot in the funk world and one foot in the “shoo bop, shoo bop” era and it makes for a really schizophrenic album. This was not a bad album but it dropped off hard on the second side. I love the Motown sound, but I wish the Temptations had just fully committed to their new funk style in the 70’s. Because their funk songs on both this and Cloud 9 sound great and the other songs just sound dated.
Might want to play track 2 with your headphones on
Discivering old song that longs for 11 minutes, very chill and ambient, big crush for papa was a rollin' stone
Was not expecting them of all bands to be dropping N-bombs. Really caught me off guard on the 2nd song.
I don't think this was nearly as enjoyable or notable as Cloud Nine. I quite enjoy this genre of music, but I think this was fairly forgettable. Nothing here quite stood out to me that was review-worthy. An enjoyable listen nevertheless.
Similar output to their previous album which I liked but didn't love. Unfortunately had some audio trouble with the copies I tried listening to which may have also affected my experience
Solid album. Was expecting a few more upbeat songs from the Temptations, but enjoyable none the less. 3.5⭐️
IMO, nothing too special here outside of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"
This definitely ain’t “My Girl” Temptations. In the current of political unrest during the Nixon Administration the Temptations obviously decided to join the fray. Run Charlie Run was a song that I had never heard on their Beat Of compilations, was not on it for reason: it was a huge social commentary on black soldiers being sent to Vietnam. I had to take a double-take when listening. Following it up Papa Was A Rolling Stone was once again a social commentary about black culture and poverty. The B-Sides like Do Your Thing and Mother Nature were good though lacking in the shock value of the first tracks. This album was a huge shift from even their Psychedelic Soul to politically charged soul. I imagine this was eye opening for many white listeners expecting Ain’t To Proud to Beg. This is pretty powerful even now.
Random thoughts: * outside of Papa was a Rolling Stone, this is a pretty generic 70s R&B album. It’s fine. * Rolling Stone is a great song and everyone should listen and know this song. * man I really hate some of these old ballads. First Time I Saw Your Face was a snoozer and almost ruined the whole album for me. * just play Rolling Stone, stay for the rest if you need more 70s R&B, skip the ballad.
Some classic tracks and seeds on here, if anything needed remastering it's this album (audio engineer's ears must have been painted on), maybe it's just Spotify and better quality audio versions exist out there, probably a 3.5 but going with ⭐⭐⭐