All Directions

High 3 almost a four. Some classics

Just not my sound

It was ok. Bit of Motown never hurt anyone

Didn’t expect this to sound like this at all. I expected nice, safe soul but this was a lot wilder than I thought it would be. Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone was a highlight. Good album!

First half is excellent, very funky and groovy and musically interesting. It gets a little repetitive with slow love songs in the second half.

Funky goodness.

High 3 almost a four. Some classics ! 3.75⭐️

Gorgeous and groovy album, shocked how much i like this. Standouts are Funky Music, Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone, Love Woke Me Up This Morning and Do Your Thing.

Smooth and funky R&B from Motown's greats.

It was a fun album. I like this music, no takeaways but I'd definitely listen again. Gotta be 3.75 territory or so

favs: papa was a rollin’ stone the first time i ever saw your face do your thing rating 1.8/5

Solid

Dober dober👍🏼

Late discovery but one of the greats stones in soul and funk history. Papa Was A Rolling Stone is masterpiece, but all the tracks are good, with a nice blend of accessible soul, smooth jazz and psychedelism.

An apt name for an album if ever there was one.. they really didn’t know where they were going here. This feels very much like a band of old boys trying to remain relevant in the face of new kids on the block like Sly and Funkadelic… at least partially! The opening two tracks are absolute bangers, and Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone is obviously iconic with its proto disco… but it takes up, surprisingly, almost a 3rd of the entire album run length! I’m not so keen on the schmaltzy cover but the rest is decent. Still, in general, a somewhat disconnected offering.

Motown albums are, with a few amazing exceptions, problematic. The label chased singles success, with albums becoming afterthoughts, featuring covers (on this record Roberta Flack and Isaac Hayes), new recordings of the producers back catalog (loading up on publishing shares), and singles. This record came out after r&b/soul consumers started buying LPs (ironically Isaac Hayes started that trend with Hot Buttered Soul) so it became a big seller on the basis of it's one hit. "Papa was a Rollin' Stone" was a huge hit ( and a remake of a producer written track), and Im happy to have the epic album version of it. It does not carry the album.

"Papa was a Rolling Stone" is one of the best songs of all times and it stands out here, of course. The rest cannot hold up in any way and falls kind of flat. Nothing bad here, but also nothing extraordinary.

Good stuff!

Loved it, I really enjoy this genre

Nothing special.

A very good album with my favorite song they do Papa was a Rolling Stone. Some interesting social commentary on other songs. Nice cover of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.

I love that this album was only 30 something mins but one song was 10+ mins

-suprisingly political and psychadelica protest-ish on Run Charlie Run -11 minute Papa was a Rolling Stone, masterful use of rhythmic building -'Rolling stone' dates back to old latin saying, published 1508 and dates back far later-"a rolling stone does not gather algae/moss" -william blake 1821- woodcarving of one rolling a stone to flatten earth, "A Rolling Stone is ever Bare of Moss" -rolling stone magazine emphasized the free-wheeling aspect -muddy waters single>rolling stones band>Bob Dylan> this band's song -'love woke me up this morning' is beautiful -whole album is kinda slow -these guys have been around for 60+ years. That's nuts

I think my rating for this is significantly increased by Papa Was a Rolling Stone, and the final two tracks which are funky as anything. Motown is not really my area of expertise, but I've listened to enough of it and the soul scenes that came before and after to say that I think there are probably 25-50 better projects than this one, including one or two of their own. That does not detract from the incredible musicianship on this album, however. Particularly the brass and bass, which are subtle but provide that secondary point of interest to the singing ensemble. Do Your Thing is a prime example of this. Will I be listening again? Yeah, I don't see why not. Will I be listening often? No, not by any means. It's no What's Going On. It's not even comparable to The Temptations Sing Smokey. But it's a lot of fun.

Pretty solid, funky but not too funky. Songs ran a bit long and repetitive for my attention span, but overall not bad.

I really expected more. I hadn’t heard this album and was disappointed. I just wasn’t moved.

Classic reminder of the best of 1970s popular.

Great album

Love classic Motown. Love the Temptations, although really mostly familiar with their singles output. Everyone should listen to this record if only to hear the slice of mad genius that is the Temptations version of Papa Was a Rollin' Stone, an amazing performance by the band with incredible production and arrangement by it's co-writer Norman Whitfield, this is one of the greatest songs of all time. Nothing else here comes close to that but they are great singers and it's a good, funky listen with some slower ballads including a nice cover of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Lyrically, Run Charlie Run is quite something at this remove though. 7/10

Not for me

I think I was expecting this to be schmaltzier, perhaps on the basis of My Girl (which I do noot like) being the only Temptations song I really knew, but this is great! Felt like it was maybe dropping a bit in the second half, with some of the quieter tracks compared to the energy of Funky Music and Run Charlie, but it’s gorgeous melodically and harmonically, wicked atmospherics, and super interesting arrangements. Also packed with bits I recognise from samples which is always fun.

oh sweet melodies

Run Charlie Run didn't age well, yikes. Wiki says the guys tried to NOT cover this song, and I understand... those accents are... yikes. Outside of some of the questionable decisions from a racial standpoint, this is classic Motown sound. The epitome of soul music. Really enjoyable listen.

The first 2 tracks, particularly papa was a rolling stone, really grabbed my attention and was a funky up beat vibe. Unfortunately the back half of the album was all ballads that lost its momentum for me, though this was still really enjoyable.

Groovy RnB, Funk, and Soul tunes, produced by Norman Whitfield at his peak. Papa was a Rolling Stone might be the greatest song the Temptations ever sung.

"Every house has a door, every room has a floor". He clearly hasn't seen some of the houses I've lived in, but facts aside, this is a perfectly acceptable album in places, just really nothing special. Mystifyingly, the opening track is live and so badly recorded it's almost unlistenable - and it seems to bear no relation whatsoever to the rest of the album. Pappa was a Rollin' Stone is obviously a classic, but the version here outstays its welcome by about three days. The whole thing is basically slow, schmaltzy, string-laden soul with a crap live song and an over-extended hit. It feels like a post-split, contractual obligation record rather than something by a band at their peak.

It was fine. Rolling Stone is a banger

A mixed bag of a record that centers around all 11 plus minutes of Papa Was a Rolling Stone. A little hit or miss, even if it mostly hits.

Right down the middle

that first track was awesome. the rest was whatever. papa was a rolling stone more like papa was waiting for the grass to be grown, so loonggggggg. ended stronger. 3.25/5

Bangers. Run Charlie Run, Papa Was a Rolling Stone. Fire.

Pretty good songs , but I know they have better tracks and albums.

meh

Classic funk/RnB type shih. Second song a lil political. (Run Charlie run) Overall, there’s definitely some smooth tunes on this album, but as a whole most of these tracks don’t stand out among some of the great RnB tracks. It kind of seems like half filler to me. Not the first album I’d turned to if I wanted to listen to the temptations, but not bad either. Fav tracks: Funky Music, Run Charlie Run, Love Woke Me Up

On the short list of greatest harmonies, The Temptations leaned into the funk aesthetic with this album. The highlight is the 12-minute magnum opus “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, but they also touch on white flight, personal empowerment, and nature, and a cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”. It’s a different sound than the David Ruffin-led earlier years, yet a milestone in their discography nonetheless.

This is so annoying. David Ruffin is another abuser of women. I like this record, but I like accountability more. It’s so hard to know how to approach this list with its lack of women (still not a single female artist yet) and with so many of the men being documented abusers. Rating is purely on the album and in the hopes that the rest of the band and people involved were kinder, more enlightened people who didn’t hit women with motorcycle helmets. Musically, this is fantastic. Crisp funk.

i don’t really have a strong opinion on this. this was fine.

This was funky and somewhat experimental. I enjoyed the anticipation of rolling stones going by how long the intro is. The song itself is a great little tune, but there isn't a lot to it. First time is a lovely ballad too. I enjoyed it all, some great rhythms and vocals. Yes.

It’s a really complete and well produced album, even though it’s not usually my thing. I felt that some of the production elements didn’t really click, but, and especially for the time, it’s really impressive. The basslines, diverse instrumentation, and expressive vocal performances were the highlights for me.

Mother Nature is a banger. Loved it. Liked most of the other songs but nothing else got above a 3, so it is alas a 3 album.

Classic funk with a very groovy soul to back it up. There is so much to latch onto for this album even if the slower middle section loses some steam the pure emotion that comes through is enough to resonate with me. Rolling Stone is a stone cold hall of famer for sure and the rest will slot nicely on my highlights to get familiar with in the coming years.

The album feels like the amalgamation of what funk and R&B was in 1972. With the distinct orchestral feel of papa was a rolling stone and the live sound of funky music sho nuff turns me on, it’s very powerful how well made this album is. One thing that surprised me was a lot of the social commentary throughout the album which I thought was done tastefully for the time. Dope album. Fav tracks: funky music sho nuff turns me on, run Charlie run, papa was a rolling stone, love woke me up this morning, I ain’t got nothin, and Mother Nature

Didn't expext to like this album based on the genres, but it was fun

The first song is "Funky Music Sho' 'Nuff Turns Me On" and this album is very early 70s Funk. I was excited to see The Temptations come through but sad that this wasn't an album with "My Girl" on it. A few of the tracks, particularly 'Love woke me up' seem like Kanye would've sampled them in the early 2000s. Overall, not really my style here. I respect it but it doesn't do much for me. 3/5.

My papa was not a rollin stone, he was a man

I'm a big funk guy. Haven't peeped this full record. Most of these funk records are in compilations anywho. The version of 'papa was a rolling stone' on here is so long hahaha. Prefer the radio version on a lot of funk tracks. The opener is real quiet or maybe thtas just me. Funky stuff. It is tempting me!!

Didn’t expect it to be as groovy as it was, genuine fun listen!

Great album from a legendary band. 8.1/10

NOT the Temptations I expected, what a trip! By 72 they were exploring soul, identity and what they could do to push the boundaries. I am here for it!

Eclectic for it's time, unfortunately comes across messy today.

Papa Was a Rollin Stone is incredible. The funk is really good. The rest is a bit boring. 3.5

Some great songs here, but not enough.

Solid album for sure. I gotta say my knowledge of The Temptations was limited to only 3-4 songs. Imagine my surprise when “Run, Charlie, Run” came on… But seriously, you can’t beat the vocals, the lyrics and the melodies they created.

pretty funky but not super memorable

The Temptations, though not with their usual upbeat Motown sound. This is slowed down, funkier, more brooding, and still a good darn listen. Featuring the near-12 minute epic Papa Was a Rolling Stone as the standout, but I rather liked the rest of the tracks, and if you're a fan or even a casual listener to the Temptations' output, you should give this a try.

Classic but not quite a 5 to me. 4/5

I really like this kind of soul, both the old bands like The Temptations but also the newer ones like Thee Sacred Souls etc. Still I don't think this album is as good as others by The Temptations (once again I have the question "why was this album chosen to be on the list"). Papa Was A Rollin' Stone is of course the highlight, a classic take and in my opinion the best version of this song ever to be made. But the other songs are partly not so convincing. Whatever - still a good album but not great.

Who knew the Temptations had such a deep/ long-running catalogue, or such a diversity of styles? (this one’s funkier than the patented smooth Motown style of their earlier phase.)

4/5

FUNKY E CHE DUE MARONKY. SARÀ STATO IL VELENO CHE PERVADE LA MIA TESTA IL LUNEDÌ MATTINA, QUANDO DECISI DI DEDICARE 34 MINUTI A QUEST’ESPERIENZA DI ASCOLTO. 2/5.

vibe boa

não bastassem terem gerado uma das melhores piadas da história do cinema (em Walk Hard) ainda fazem ótimas músicas.

Like a jolly happy family, just so happy to be there and make music while loving each other. And Papa Was A Rollin' Stone being 12 minutes long, absolutely yes!

Good moments. Papa is the best by far.

3.3/5 funky stuff n ballads got it all

Considering that the first song was an ode to funky music, this wasn't really that funky, front to back. The vocals were good, but I was pretty bored, frankly. The vibes raise it to a 3, but barely.

Loved this album. Very funky 70s “sesame street pinball”… one track was super political, Run Charlie Run rides a line between super intense and schoolhouse rock. Overall, very tasty album.

Not really my thing at all. A few covers that just don't hit for me either.

No está mal pero simplemente no es un tipo de musica que me guste. Lo volvería a escuchar? no

not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue

2.5

Light 3 it was decent but not my favourite. May listen again at some point

5/10

good

Good good

muy cerca de las 5 eh

I enjoyed the soul in this album and it was energetic with a good length. It wasn’t a dynamite of an album though, missing that extra element of epic-ness

Have enjoyed some of The Temptations over the years but never listened to a full album. Delightful vibes, absolutely iconic tracks. Can't ask for more.

C'est frais, je suis tres fatiguee ajd mais ecouter l'album est agreable.

Papa was a rolling stones 5/5 le reste 2/5 -> 3/5 J'en connais une qui pourra pas dire "gnagnagna" c'est du rock encore

My second album from The Temptations and, much like Cloud Nine, this started really strong before falling away a bit. The vocals are brilliant at times though. Top Track - Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone

JL : 3, Mother Nature

smooth

What I find most interesting here is the seeming abandonment of strict songwriting form, especially coming from a group so synonymous with the Motown assembly line. Gone for the most part are the tight pop compositions of Holland-Dozier-Holland et al.; instead the songs just sort of extend for as long as they're going to, then stop or trail off. This gives the proceedings both an air of honesty and a hint of danger - I catch myself groping in the smoky haze of the album for something for my ear to hold onto, some landmark I can use to navigate. And so often I don't find it; "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" just keeps rollin', the attempts to resolve the pain of abandonment failing over and over. And that's the real mood here - numbness, or perhaps a desire to be numb to the trauma of experience. In that way this is a companion piece to *There's a Riot Goin' On*, released several months earlier. While it lacks the angry edge of that album, it shares the same sense of stagnation. "Everybody's got something but me," Otis Williams sings on "I Ain't Got Nothin'," summing up the problem. Even the attempt to make a classic love ballad falls flat, seemingly on purpose; "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)" doesn't even have any momentum to run out of. I think I respect this album more than I love it, but I respect it an awful lot.

King of funky

Socially conscious funk. The kind of funk that has oversize pointy collars and good hair. I dug it.

Some good soul. Nothing to mind blowing.

Decent enough - didn’t massively grab me though

I don't know what I expected coming into this, but this wasn't it. It was good, great music and vocals throughout.

Good r and b album