I'm with you Larry.
Both Art and Skill are required for each method. When I hear an exceptional "live" easy recorded rendition, I say to myself "what talent, maybe I'll be able to do that some day. I'll have to study just what was done".
Then when I hear a superb and complicated arrangement done through multi track sequencing, I wonder at the skill, talent, and patience required to put it all together and make it all blend.
I personally do not sequence or play along with MIDI, MP3, ETC., but I surely enjoy listening to the end result of someone who does.
After all, the main object is to produce beautiful music, no matter how complicated or simple it may be.
Just my thoughts,
Walt