All Directions - THE TEMPTATIONS****

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 Nothing/The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)/Mother Nature/Do Your Thing

Under producer Norman Whitfield the music of The Temptations moved in a more socially and politically conscious direction. All Directions features the US No.1 and Grammy winning single Papa Was A Rolling Stone. (US:2 UK:19)

“As good as their early albums are, those they released in the early 70s, which felt the influence of producer Norman Whitfield are their strongest. Whitfield had actually been working with the group since the mid-60s but it wasn't until the end of the decade that he began pushing them to expand their scope both sonically and lyrically. They became more socially and politically conscious and the music reached new levels of sophistication to match the more mature lyrics. Songs were stretched to funky, tastefully orchestrated epics.”

“Wonderful album, there is nothing in the world of music quite like the full version of Papa Was A Rolling Stone. The first side is downright funky and aimed at the dance floor, while side two is more lyrical and balladry.”

“A great album full of songs with high energy with some beautiful ballads. Every song is really good. Not one of them has a bad voice, and lyrics are good too. The first three songs have quite a bit of energy, then everything else gets pretty slow at the end. I definitely recommend this album.”

“A late return to form for the Temptations, almost solely down to the twelve minute Norman Whitfield epic Papa Was A Rolling Stone. There's not much to keep interest going here though, a couple of throwaway funk numbers on side one, a selection of nice ballads on side two, and a decent but ultimately pointless cover of Do Your Thing to close things off.”

“This album finds The Temptations in rare form. Every song is sung with passion and those fine harmonies we've come to expect from this great group. The remake of Isaac Hayes' Do Your Thing is a classic, and I especially like the social messages on songs such as Run Charlie Run and Mother Nature, a song that is very passionate and bluesy. Do I really need to say anything about Papa Was A Rolling Stone? The Grammy speaks for itself.”