Music Biz: Compromise Is Key. Musicians, industry execs and policy-makers can’t always agree on the best way to keep consumers happy, embrace new technology and still turn a profit. Meeting in Washington this week, they seek solutions all sides can live with. By Michael Grebb.

John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants said although record labels are fun to bash, they help filter music. Now consumers must do much of that work themselves.

“It’s ironic that we’ll miss the majors when they are gone,” Flansburgh said. [Wired News]

Miss the major record labels? I’ve never thought of it that way.

I just got another batch of “World Cafe CDs” for Christmas. Because my local public radio station took “World Cafe” off the air (or moved it to some obscure time slot) I don’t stay up to date on when CDs are coming out so when I think about it, I check the site. I bought volumes 11 and 12, the 10th anniversary double CD, and the “Next Decade” CD which I guess is really volume 13. They are all awesome.

I haven’t picked a favorite yet. Right now it is between the 10th anniversary and volume 13. Volume 13 has a great Lucinda Williams track, “Get Right With God” as well as one of my favorite Ryan Adams songs (at least of his newer stuff), “New York, New York”. The 10th anniversary CD has “Another Town” from Steve Earle, “Can’t Let Go” by Lucinda Williams, and “Designs on You” which is a great Old 97’s song. Of course all of the World Cafe CDs have great tracks from artists you might not otherwise be exposed to.

The Toadies show was awesome last night. They played to a packed crowd at Deep Ellum Live. Before the show we had speculated on whether or not Lisa, the bassist would play. She didn’t. I thought the show just wouldn’t be the same without her but I was wrong. The show was classic Toadies. It’s too bad it was their last. They are such a great band.