@mlaffs I was struck by the author's suggestion that for "small groups" recording was ever anything other than a promotional exercise. The obstacle has always been funding. If the funds were available most musicians would relish the opportunity to create beauty through the medium of recorded sound and wouldn't care a bit if they never made a dime.

Frankly, as much as I like thunderous applause from a packed house as much as anybody, I wouldn't care if I was always playing for a few people who really loved the music if the constant need to increase audience wasn't essential to paying rent.