Being a sometimes Caller amd Dancer...Live Music is alwyas better BUT working with / dancing to Bands where the musicians also dance (not at the same time!!) and know the dances and the "pleasant" tempo helps an awful lot. Occasionally (really occasionally!) using recorded music (for dance clubs)..with some of the better American Contra Bands (Rodney Miller, Wild Aspagarus et al) can be preferable to a (not terribly good)Live English Band