"
It's not fair to judge the merits of accompaniments by this outrageously insensitive practice"
No it isn't - I'm at my most intolerant first thing in the morning.
."Would it not be more accurate to have said 'quite often accompaniment can do more harm than good to a song'"
Yes it would.
Digressing wildly Bryn,
Your mention of MSG brings many good memories flooding back - and bad ones.
Among my favourite is the First Time Ever (!!!) I met Ewan and Peggy at said establishment.
Terry Whelan introduced me and after the club we stood outside on the steps talking.
At one stage a taxi drew up and a smartly dressed young man stepped out and headed for the night-club next door.
One of our company, Barry Taylor, said, "That's Georgie Best".
Ever wordly, Peggy said, "Who's Georgie Best?"
Barry told her, and she promptly sprinted across and asked for his autograph.
Good days.
Jim Carroll