Ian,
I agree with most everything you said above, but--if I had to do without an arranger I would just stop performing. With an arranger I'm having more fun than I could ever ask for, while a work station is just what it is termed--WORK! I don't want to work--I just like having lots of fun and getting paid for it. That's why I go sailing and write magazine articles about boating--I'm having fun, and I'm getting paid to do it.
Cheers,
Gary
Yes, I'd wouldn't be performing either, Gary...at least, not in the same way.
I do love to play solo piano, but I wouldn't want to do it as a job.

Arrangers do make playing fun..that's why it's called "playing".

Workstations are just too damn tedious for me.
Ian