I've just been indulging in a bit of nostalgia, and listening to some old recordings, and it's got me thinking.
I used to go to folk clubs in England in the early 70s.

I saw some singers in folk clubs, liked their songs, and then bought their records.
In all cases I was disappointed in what I heard, not that the albums were not good, mostly they were, but because in all cases extra musicians had been brought in for the recordings. I had heard these singers perform alone with just their guitars, and that was what I wanted to hear when I bought their records.

I understand the reasons for this, hoping to get airplay etc. and   thinking radio stations maybe just wouldn't play tracks that were just one voice and a guitar.
But then it could work the other way round too. Someone who bought the recording, and then went to see the artist in a folk club.

The same thing doesn't happen so much for a band, as they usually play live together, and then record with the same line
up.

What do others think?
Does this still happen?
For me more sound is not necessarily better. Maybe that's why I now direct A Cappella choirs!