Licensing by definition is seeking permission. If a first recording if a fresh song, Starship is right you need to go directly to the owner for a first license approval. Otherwise in the UK most parties license via the MCPS. The MCPS act as go betweens, in effect giving permission on behalf of the copyright owners by granting a license, SO when it comes to CD's PERMISSION IS required. Trad. repertoire doesn't need anybody's permission. Though obviously it is to a performer's advantage to have the tracks officially licensed and released so that airplay can be distributed.