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Cash has a new album on which she sings one of the most famous lines in country music: "The lights in the harbor don't shine for me." That's from the Hal David and Paul Hampton classic, "Sea of Heartbreak." Many artists have recorded this song in the past half-century, and Cash recently sat down with NPR's Steve Inskeep to discuss its history and significance.

Gustavo Dudamel has been called "the Obama of classical music." Hear the charismatic 28-year-old conductor from Venezuela officially take over the Los Angeles Philharmonic with a gala opening concert that includes a new piece by John Adams, as well as Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1.

What can eccentric young New York singer-songwriter Nellie McKay have in common with notoriously normal Hollywood icon Doris Day? The comparison only begins with McKay's new album, Normal as Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day.

Rap music may have started in the Bronx, but in recent years, the South has taken over the airwaves. The latest selection in the You Must Hear This series, in which musicians talk about a piece of music they love, is some early Southern rap from the group that coined the term "Dirty South." Rapper Bun B, of the Grammy-nominated group UGK, says that Goodie Mob's debut album inspires his life and music to this day.

Long Island native Mindy Smith continues to move beyond the boundaries of mainstream country by pairing sugary vocals with surprisingly dark lyrics. On her new album, Stupid Love, Smith expands her musical palette with the addition of rich instrumental layers, all while exploring the turbulent nature of relationships. Hear her in a session on World Cafe.

With his first bluegrass album, The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, comedic genius Steve Martin reveals another side of his talent.

The audiobook is here to stay — in one form or another. And that's fine with author Neil Gaiman, who has loved hearing stories since his childhood days. Gaiman talks to writer David Sedaris and reader Martin Jarvis about what makes a great audiobook — and a great reader.

Liane Hansen isn't the only one celebrating 20 years at Weekend Edition. Director Ned Wharton has been around since Hansen's first music interview, and has been making music recommendations for a decade. He checks up on three artists previously featured on the program.

When it was announced that Goodie Mob's Cee-Lo Green and producer Danger Mouse were going to collaborate as Gnarls Barkley, there was no predicting the massive success of "Crazy." It was a song everyone seemed to like, and it remains a left-field wonder of psychedelic soul.

His father was a Beatle, but Dhani Harrison wanted a musical project that didn't carry the burden of his family name. So he started a band called thenewno2, where he's created a sound and a promotional strategy that is all his own.