Picks of the week
Heist with Michael Caine (from 7 July)
Michael Caine turns true crime bedtime storyteller for Audible’s new podcast about heists and robberies. First up is a break-in at one of the most (supposedly) secure vaults in Antwerp, Belgium, where the thieves snatched a haul of diamonds. Mysterious interviewees who say things like: “I was bottle-fed diamonds” add to the excitement and movie-like glamour of the crime. The six-part series has plenty of details from detectives and witnesses, all told in Caine’s trademark style that switches from matter-of-fact to dramatic backed by a swinging soundtrack. Hannah Verdier
Who We Be Talks
The companion show to Spotify’s hit hip-hop, afrobeats, R&B and dancehall playlist returns with two new hosts in the form of rising media stars Henrie Kwushue, recently heard on buzzy internet radio show No Signal, and social media personality Harry Pinero. From the effects of George Floyd’s death on black people the UK, to Marcus Rashford’s endeavours to ensure meals for schoolchildren over the summer holidays, the pair are unafraid to get into serious topics, while also managing to keep the conversation celebratory, and the music choices current. Excellent.
Hannah J Davies
Producer pick: Wind of Change
Chosen by Danielle Stephens
Who doesn’t love a good conspiracy theory? Well, Patrick Radden Keefe, who writes for the New Yorker, decided to investigate an absolute doozy. In his hit show Wind of Change, Radden Keefe goes on a whirlwind journey to find out whether or not the CIA had a part to play in the writing of iconic protest song Wind of Change by the German rock band the Scorpions.
Does he make a mountain out of a molehill? Absolutely. Then again, any producer might with the investment of Pineapple Street Studios, Crooked Media and Spotify behind them. Either way, I enjoyed the trip that Radden Keefe takes us on. From Panama, to Moscow, with Kiev somewhere in the middle, it’s exciting to realise just how much we don’t know about the Cold War.
He might have been able to relay the main crux story in two episodes, but in elongating it, we meet brilliant characters with intricate insights not usually deemed important enough for recording.
The series acts as a history lesson (although from an unapologetically American viewpoint) meets spy movie, with some great music along the way. Great sound design throughout makes for a really enjoyable series. And, gladly, there’s an encore, with two bonus episodes due for release from 6 July.
Talking points
Looking for pearls of wisdom from the world of sport and far beyond? Rugby star Maro Itoje’s new conversation podcast Pearl Conversations kicked off this week with guest Kyle Sinckler. Future episodes are set to feature model Leomie Anderson and Alistair Campbell among others.
Why not try: Hear To Slay | Land of the Giants | No Holes Barred
