Paying a Visit to Papa’s!

For a “Music-Head” like me, there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t listen to something. No…really, I’m being serious. Even when I’m on vacation, I seem to find IT, or IT finds me.

Prime example–on my recent visit home during the Christmas break, I made way over to Papa Jazz. What’s Papa Jazz? Well it’s only the BEST record shoppe in all of Columbia! Located in “Little Five Points,” Papa Jazz has been a staple in the community for more than 25 years. I stumbled across this place while in college and have been hooked ever since!

On this particular trip, I was one of the few who decided to brave the snow to enter this record lover’s paradise. (yes, we occasionally get snow in the South!) As I pulled up and got out of the car, I heard a familiar voice in the air. It was the soulful sound of Bill Withers playing over the outdoor speakers. Instantly, I knew it was going to be a good visit!

Upon entering the store, I was greeted with the welcoming, yet sweet musty scent of old paper. Mounds and mounds of old album covers to be more exact. Surveying the room, I noticed there were approximately 7-10 musicphiles circling rows of wooden racks, which contained thousands of records and CDs. Over in the corner, there were three or four others “philosophizing” about the greatest “this and that” of all time. And upfront, a resident record historiographer selecting the “music du jour” for the store clerk to play. Ahhh! A slice of heaven!

Pressed for time on this particular visit, I limited myself to circling the racks ONLY twice. Oh the torture! Bill continued to croon while I picked up several gems only to put them back down. I was determined to exercise some constraint. And as the end of this Papa Jazz visit drew near, I put back on my coat and left the building feeling empowered, like I’d won the battle. While walking back to the car, I began to smile and started thinking about how proud I was of myself for not making a purchase this time. Then it happened. I stopped smack-dab in the middle of the sidewalk–did an about-face and re-entered the store. I marched myself directly to the “W” rack, picked up a cd and headed to the checkout counter. Within five minutes, the transaction was complete and I was back in the car. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving without Bill Withers serenading me all the way home!

Until Next Time,

-TL