Speechification

In the first episode of a new series, Stephen Sackur investigates a secretive and controversial change in how we wage war: deadly drone aircraft swooping down from on high, their pilots sat in comfortable offices thousands of miles away. [MP3]

"While many know the words by heart, few know the real story behind Australia's unofficial national anthem. 'Waltzing Matilda' may be the country's most loved and recognised tune, but its meaning is still shrouded in mystery and the truth behind the myth is a thrilling, controversial and largely untold tale." [MP3]

A fascinating project from ABC Radio National, there's plenty more information over at the official website. Thanks to Gretchen Miller, one of the producers, for the tip.

Paul Evans - he of the recent Shingle Street - turns his talent for atmosphere and listening to nature to fiction, in this disturbing drama in collaboration with frequent Speechification cruch, sound recordist extraordinaire Chris Watson.

Enter the disturbing world of Slaughton Ditch, where an obsession with hidden sounds has terrifying and fatal consequences. [MP3]

"From Falstaff at The Boar's Head to John Self at The Shakespeare in Martin Amis's Money, English literature and the pub are intertwined. It started in a pub - Chaucer's pilgrims setting out from The Tabard in Southwark - and has been waiting to be chucked out ever since. Robert Hanks presents an elegy for pubs in literature and an exploration of what the smoking ban, the gastro pub and the five quid pint are going to do to writing." Yes. [MP3]

Some more Radio 3, and quite music-heavy this one, but justified by the voices:

Musician and writer Banning Eyre heads to the American state of Georgia, gateway to the Deep South, and southern end of the Appalachian Mountains, to record some of the unique vocal music that has been preserved in the area, and meet the personalities who have kept the traditions alive. [MP3]

Thanks to, um, someone, for the tip. Sorry. Remind me. Andy! It was Andy! Andy gave me the tip! Thanks/sorry Andy.

Radio 3's Sunday Feature is a lovely slot, full of odd things, and generalist interests. Here, Ken Hollings explores the development of military games, culminating in the most high-tech of modern developments. [MP3]

We've been a bit quiet, haven't we? Sorry. I'm just setting up a few to trickle through over the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!

I first heard about police departments podcasting a while ago, and the Tulsa Police Department's "Street Stories" in particular, but when I had a look, the official Tulsa PD website hadn't been updated since last April, so I rather lost interest. Thank goodness for Crossing Continents then, who just reignited it with a whole half hour of absolute gems from Officer Jay Chiarito-Mazarrella.

"This midget Don King stuff happens all the time." Enjoy. [MP3]

Not much to say about this, except it's bloody lovely. Naturalist Paul Evans takes us on a sound tour of Dungeness and the Romney marshes. Enjoy. [MP3]

(Dungeness pic by me. More at Flickr.)

Claudia Hammond investigates the science of face recognition, and why some people find it nearly impossible, while others have almost perfect recall. While most of us probably fall somewhere in the rubbish, no-excuses middle ground, some of the interviewees have developed complex strategies for dealing with their differing abilities.

There's also an extended news piece on the phenomenon here, and lots more fascinating links via UCL's Faceblind site. [MP3]

Props to Nicky for getting in touch about this one - please feel free to drop us a line with your tips.

Professor Anthony King's series on grudge matches and the political importance of sport, More Than A Game, is a real treat. He's previously covered the 1938 fight between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling, a disaster for Nazi propaganda, and the 1956 "Blood in the Water" water polo match between Hungary and the USSR - both spellbinding accounts, and if anyone managed to grab them, please let us know.

This week he looks at the four-day "Football War" of 1959 between Honduras and El Salvador, a tragic tale which ever way you look at it, but possibly the most forceful example going of sport as an extension of national pride and passion. [MP3]