Um.........yeah.

Anyway, I'd like to add a simple comment directly related to the topic:

This weekend we're playing a Top 40 gig at our local (I mean literally a few streets away from where we live....handy!)

So there's a brand new Top 40 song just come out (it's not important which one it is) and I can't find (for love nor money) an SMF backing, AND there's no arranger style - that's appropriate - on my PA1x.

BUT

I found a dance remix of the song I want, AND being a (slight) remix, it has a minimal backing (eg no guitars or backing/lead vocals)

SO

I get to use a great sounding, thumping, appropriate backing track, and play a nice dirty Organ (ooh err) part, and sing backing, while my wife does a big lead vocal and nifty guitar part.

It'll be a "like the record" sound (something that we aim for) AND sound like "us" (something we aim for too) and the sound quality really will trump an SMF or a style (not that I'm dumping on THAT because we use both, much more than MP3s).

Isn't an MP3 just another form of backing, another avenue, another tool to use when others have been exhausted, or aren't available at all in a solo/duo situation?

Having that option saved my bacon this week I can tell you.

(Do I have to say "peace out"?)