Go along eith all that Peter, but unfortunately, not all accompanists restrict their activities to accompanying - still hoping to find more than the tiny handful of recordings we have of one of Ireland's finst fiddle players, Marting Byrnes, without the piano-driver!
Anyway, wouldn't foist my opinions on others over this, though I would recommend a listen to Clare concertina player, Mary MacNamara unaccompanied album and a read of what she says about accompaniment
Years ago, we spent some time with on of the great veteran Sligo fiddle players (won't name hime for fear of embarrassing him), who told us that personally he prefers to play accompanied, but will use it "in case I slip up" - you can't imagine a player less likely to do so, even now, in his advanced years.
You missed an enjoyable session last night in Friels (well worth a look-in on Thursdays)
Nice, lively sit-in music, and two young French visiting guitarists playing mainly European Gypsy music and jazz to Reinhardt standard - one of those serendipity nights - magic!!   
Jim Carroll