Reeltime! Another voice of good sense! This is very helpful.

I had completely bypassed the fact that, when some demon accompanist is messing up my carefully prepared piece, they are actually just fallible musicians who should be cut a bit of slack. Thanks for pointing that out, as it'll help next time - certainly takes the sting out of it. Its a bit silly to expect perfection every time isn't it - when most of us are happy enthusiastic amateurs rather than professionals.

Also - that request for accompanists to wait until you've set the key & tempo is sheer genius. After the first verse they should be able to assess where you're coming from & understand any variations. Then they can start to accompany from a position of a bit more information. I bet that works well - and I'll have a go with that approach. Ditto perhaps a word about volume of accompaniment - sometimes the accompaniment can be a bit much & you're in danger of straining the voice to keep above it. I'll have to practice my tact & diplomacy skills.......