Worst gig I ever sat through was a John Martyn concert when he and Fos Patterson played with a programmed drum system. I enjoy John's free style and it was painful watching him try to play to a machine. So my vote is the fiddle on it's own.
I always felt the same about "Tonight at Noon", Gavin and Peter were much better with a live bass and drums.
ps. which land of phillistines ar you bannished to that you can;t find a back-up player.
The Govan's often are a bunch of back-up's looking for a lead player to sub.
love, john.