It sounds like you’re referring to rare recordings or reels related to the band The Grateful Dead, possibly with a connection to Abel (perhaps a misspelling of “Abe” or a reference to a specific collector, taper, or engineer associated with the band’s live recordings).
Possible Interpretations:
1. “Abel” as a Taper/Collector – There were many famous tapers (bootleg recorders) of Grateful Dead shows, such as Betty Cantor-Jackson (of the “Betty Boards”), Dick Latvala (archivist of the Dick’s Picks series), or Alembic (the sound company). If “Abel” refers to a specific person, it might be a lesser-known taper or collector.
2. “Reels” as Analog Recordings – The Grateful Dead were known for their extensive live recordings, many of which were captured on reel-to-reel tapes. Some of these are rare, uncirculated soundboard or audience recordings.
3. “Greatful Dead” Typo – If you meant Grateful Dead, you might be looking for rare live reels like:
– Betty Boards (legendary soundboard recordings from the 1970s)
– Dick’s Picks / Dave’s Picks (official archival releases)
– Circulating Bootlegs (e.g., May 1977 tours, Europe ’72 outtakes)
Where to Find Rare Grateful Dead Reels:
– Archive.org ([Live Music Archive](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead)) – Thousands of live shows.
– Lossless Legs / etree – For high-quality audience/soundboard recordings.
– Official Releases (via [Dead.net](https://www.dead.net/)) – Check for limited-edition vinyl or digital releases.
If you’re looking for something specific (e.g., a show date, a particular reel collector), let me know, and I can help narrow it down!
⚡ “Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.”