diff --git a/lib/call-session.js b/lib/call-session.js
index d09dd9db..7a23a099 100644
--- a/lib/call-session.js
+++ b/lib/call-session.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ const makeTask = require('./tasks/make_task');
 const resourcesMixin = require('./utils/resources');
 const moment = require('moment');
 const assert = require('assert');
+const Dialog = require('drachtio-srf').Dialog;
 const BADPRECONDITIONS = 'preconditions not met';
 
 class CallSession extends Emitter {
@@ -34,27 +35,34 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
 
     this.hooks = notifiers(this.logger, this.callAttributes);
 
-    req.on('cancel', this._onCallerHangup.bind(this));
+    this.callGone = false;
+
+    req.on('cancel', this._onCallerHangup.bind(this, req));
     this.on('callStatusChange', this._onCallStatusChange.bind(this));
   }
 
   get callSid() { return this.callAttributes.CallSid; }
   get parentCallSid() { return this.callAttributes.CallSid; }
   get actionHook() { return this.hooks.actionHook; }
+  get callingNumber() { return this.req.callingNumber; }
+  get calledNumber() { return this.req.calledNumber; }
 
   async exec() {
     let idx = 0;
     while (this._executionStack.length) {
       const taskList = this.currentTaskList = this._executionStack.shift();
       this.logger.debug(`CallSession:exec starting task list with ${taskList.tasks.length} tasks`);
-      while (taskList.length) {
+      while (taskList.length && !this.callGone) {
         const {task, callSid} = taskList.shift();
         this.logger.debug(`CallSession:exec starting task #${++idx}: ${task.name}`);
         try {
           const resources = await this._evaluatePreconditions(task, callSid);
+          this.currentTask = task;
           await task.exec(this, resources);
+          this.currentTask = null;
           this.logger.debug(`CallSession:exec completed task #${idx}: ${task.name}`);
         } catch (err) {
+          this.currentTask = null;
           if (err.message.includes(BADPRECONDITIONS)) {
             this.logger.info(`CallSession:exec task #${idx}: ${task.name}: ${err.message}`);
           }
@@ -92,6 +100,7 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
   }
 
   async _evalEndpointPrecondition(task, callSid) {
+    if (this.callGone) new Error(`${BADPRECONDITIONS}: call gone`);
     const resources = this.calls.get(callSid);
     if (!resources) throw new Error(`task ${task.name} attempting to operate on unknown CallSid ${callSid}`);
     if (resources.ep) return resources.ep;
@@ -105,6 +114,7 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
         this.addResource('ms', ms);
       }
       const ep = await ms.createEndpoint({remoteSdp: this.req.body});
+      ep.cs = this;
       resources.ep = ep;
       if (task.earlyMedia && callSid === this.parentCallSid && this.req && !this.req.finalResponseSent) {
         this.res.send(183, {body: ep.local.sdp});
@@ -112,7 +122,10 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
         return ep;
       }
       const uas = await this.srf.createUAS(this.req, this.res, {localSdp: ep.local.sdp});
+      uas.on('destroy', this._onCallerHangup.bind(this, uas));
+      uas.callSid = callSid;
       resources.dlg = uas;
+      this.logger.debug(`CallSession:_evalEndpointPrecondition - call was answered with callSid ${callSid}`);
       this.calls.set(callSid, resources);
       return ep;
     } catch (err) {
@@ -122,13 +135,15 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
   }
 
   _evalStableCallPrecondition(task, callSid) {
+    if (this.callGone) throw new Error(`${BADPRECONDITIONS}: call gone`);
     const resources = this.calls.get(callSid);
     if (!resources) throw new Error(`task ${task.name} attempting to operate on unknown callSid ${callSid}`);
-    if (resources.dlg) throw new Error(`${BADPRECONDITIONS}: call was not answered - callSid ${callSid}`);
+    if (!resources.dlg) throw new Error(`${BADPRECONDITIONS}: call was not answered - callSid ${callSid}`);
     return resources.dlg;
   }
 
   _evalUnansweredCallPrecondition(task, callSid) {
+    if (this.callGone) new Error(`${BADPRECONDITIONS}: call gone`);
     if (callSid !== this.parentCallSid || !this.req) {
       throw new Error(`${BADPRECONDITIONS}: no inbound call - callSid ${callSid}`);
     }
@@ -152,6 +167,11 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
     this.calls.clear();
   }
 
+  /**
+   * These below methods are needed mainly by the dial verb, which
+   * deals with a variety of scenarios that can't simply be
+   * described by the precondition concept as other verbs can
+   */
 
   /**
    * retrieve the media server and endpoint for this call, allocate them if needed
@@ -208,6 +228,7 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
         return {ep, ms, res: this.res};
       }
       const dlg = await this.srf.createUAS(this.req, this.res, {localSdp: ep.local.sdp});
+      this.logger.debug(`CallSession:connectInboundCallToIvr - answered callSid ${this.parentCallSid}`);
       this.calls.set(this.parentCallSid, {ep, dlg});
       return {ep, ms, dlg};
     } catch (err) {
@@ -265,10 +286,25 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
   }
 
   /**
-   * got CANCEL from inbound leg
+   * got CANCEL or BYE from inbound leg
    */
-  _onCallerHangup(evt) {
-    this.logger.debug('CallSession: caller hung before connection');
+  _onCallerHangup(obj, evt) {
+    this.callGone = true;
+    if (obj instanceof Dialog) {
+      this.logger.debug('CallSession: caller hung up');
+      /* cant destroy endpoint as current task may need to get final transcription
+      const resources = this.calls.get(obj.callSid);
+      if (resources.ep && resources.ep.connected) {
+        resources.ep.destroy();
+        resources.ep = null;
+        this.calls.set(obj.callSid, resources);
+      }
+      */
+    }
+    else {
+      this.logger.debug('CallSession: caller hung before answer');
+    }
+    if (this.currentTask) this.currentTask.kill();
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/lib/middleware.js b/lib/middleware.js
index 94309205..c0136eb8 100644
--- a/lib/middleware.js
+++ b/lib/middleware.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const request = require('request');
 //require('request-debug')(request);
 const uuidv4 = require('uuid/v4');
 const makeTask = require('./tasks/make_task');
+const normalizeJamones = require('./utils/normalize-jamones');
 const {CallStatus, CallDirection} = require('./utils/constants');
 
 module.exports = function(srf, logger) {
@@ -68,19 +69,21 @@ module.exports = function(srf, logger) {
     const call_sid = uuidv4();
     const method = (app.hook_http_method || 'POST').toUpperCase();
     const from = req.getParsedHeader('From');
-    const qs = req.locals.callAttributes = {
+    req.locals.callAttributes = {
       CallSid:  call_sid,
       AccountSid: app.account_sid,
       From: req.callingNumber,
       To: req.calledNumber,
-      CallStatus: CallStatus.Trying,
-      SipStatus: 100,
       Direction: CallDirection.Inbound,
       CallerName: from.name || req.callingNumber,
-      SipCallID: req.get('Call-ID'),
+      SipCallID: req.get('Call-ID')
+    };
+    const qs = Object.assign({}, req.locals.callAttributes, {
+      CallStatus: CallStatus.Trying,
+      SipStatus: 100,
       RequestorIP: req.get('X-Forwarded-For'),
       RequestorName: req.get('X-Originating-Carrier')
-    };
+    });
     const opts = {
       url: app.call_hook,
       method,
@@ -88,6 +91,7 @@ module.exports = function(srf, logger) {
       qs
     };
     if (app.hook_basic_auth_user && app.hook_basic_auth_password) {
+      logger.debug(`using basic auth with ${app.hook_basic_auth_user}:${app.hook_basic_auth_password}`);
       Object.assign(opts, {auth: {user: app.hook_basic_auth_user, password: app.hook_basic_auth_password}});
     }
     if (method === 'POST') Object.assign(opts, {body: req.msg});
@@ -95,26 +99,16 @@ module.exports = function(srf, logger) {
       request(opts, (err, response, body) => {
         if (err) {
           logger.error(err, `Error invoking callback ${app.call_hook}`);
-          return res.send(603, 'Bad webhook');
+          return res.send(500, 'Webhook Failure');
         }
-        logger.debug(body, 'application payload');
-        const taskData = Array.isArray(body) ? body : [body];
-        app.tasks = [];
-        for (const t in taskData) {
-          try {
-            const task = makeTask(logger, taskData[t]);
-            app.tasks.push(task);
-          } catch (err) {
-            logger.error({err, data: taskData[t]}, `invalid web callback payload: ${err.message}`);
-            res.send(500, 'Application Error', {
-              headers: {
-                'X-Reason': err.message
-              }
-            });
-            break;
-          }
+        logger.debug(body, `application payload: ${body}`);
+        try {
+          app.tasks = normalizeJamones(logger, body).map((tdata) => makeTask(logger, tdata));
+          next();
+        } catch (err) {
+          logger.error(err, 'Invalid Webhook Response');
+          res.send(500);
         }
-        if (!res.finalResponseSent) next();
       });
     } catch (err) {
       logger.error(err, 'Error invoking web callback');
diff --git a/lib/tasks/dial.js b/lib/tasks/dial.js
index e4be8dda..975a6ba6 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/dial.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/dial.js
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@ class TaskDial extends Task {
     this.timeLimit = opts.timeLimit;
 
     if (opts.listen) {
-      this.listenTask = makeTask(logger, {'listen': opts.transcribe});
+      this.listenTask = makeTask(logger, {'listen': opts.listen});
     }
     if (opts.transcribe) {
-      this.transcribeTask = makeTask(logger, {'transcribe': opts.transcribe});
+      this.transcribeTask = makeTask(logger, {'transcribe' : opts.transcribe});
     }
 
     this.canceled = false;
diff --git a/lib/tasks/gather.js b/lib/tasks/gather.js
index 89fe0fba..41cf3ffa 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/gather.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/gather.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const Task = require('./task');
-const {TaskName, TaskPreconditions} = require('../utils/constants');
+const {TaskName, TaskPreconditions, TranscriptionEvents} = require('../utils/constants');
 const makeTask = require('./make_task');
 const assert = require('assert');
 
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
     this.timeout = (this.timeout || 5) * 1000;
     this.language = this.language || 'en-US';
     this.digitBuffer = '';
+    //this._earlyMedia = this.data.earlyMedia === true;
 
     if (this.say) {
       this.sayTask = makeTask(this.logger, {say: this.say});
@@ -27,6 +28,11 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
 
   get name() { return TaskName.Gather; }
 
+  get earlyMedia() {
+    return (this.sayTask && this.sayTask.earlyMedia) ||
+      (this.playTask && this.playTask.earlyMedia);
+  }
+
   async exec(cs, ep) {
     this.ep = ep;
     this.actionHook = cs.actionHook;
@@ -35,33 +41,15 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
     try {
       if (this.sayTask) {
         this.sayTask.exec(cs, ep);  // kicked off, _not_ waiting for it to complete
-        this.sayTask.on('playDone', this._onPlayDone.bind(this, ep));
+        this.sayTask.on('playDone', (err) => {
+          if (this.taskInProgress) this._startTimer();
+        });
       }
       else this._startTimer();
 
       if (this.input.includes('speech')) {
-        const opts = {
-          GOOGLE_SPEECH_USE_ENHANCED: true,
-          GOOGLE_SPEECH_SINGLE_UTTERANCE: true,
-          GOOGLE_SPEECH_MODEL: 'phone_call'
-        };
-        if (this.hints) {
-          Object.assign(opts, {'GOOGLE_SPEECH_HINTS': this.hints.join(',')});
-        }
-        if (this.profanityFilter === true) {
-          Object.assign(opts, {'GOOGLE_SPEECH_PROFANITY_FILTER': true});
-        }
-        this.logger.debug(`setting freeswitch vars ${JSON.stringify(opts)}`);
-        await ep.set(opts)
-          .catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'Error set'));
-        ep.addCustomEventListener('google_transcribe::transcription', this._onTranscription.bind(this, ep));
-        ep.addCustomEventListener('google_transcribe::no_audio_detected', this._onNoAudioDetected.bind(this, ep));
-        ep.addCustomEventListener('google_transcribe::max_duration_exceeded', this._onMaxDuration.bind(this, ep));
-        this.logger.debug('starting transcription');
-        ep.startTranscription({
-          interim: this.partialResultCallback ? true : false,
-          language: this.language
-        }).catch((err) => this.logger.error(err, 'TaskGather:exec error starting transcription'));
+        await this._initSpeech(ep);
+        this._startTranscribing(ep);
       }
 
       if (this.input.includes('dtmf')) {
@@ -73,10 +61,12 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
       this.logger.error(err, 'TaskGather:exec error');
     }
     this.taskInProgress = false;
-    ep.removeAllListeners();
+    ep.removeCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.Transcription);
+    ep.removeCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.EndOfUtterance);
   }
 
   kill() {
+    super.kill();
     this._killAudio();
     this._resolve('killed');
   }
@@ -85,12 +75,6 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
     return new Promise((resolve) => this.resolver = resolve);
   }
 
-  _onPlayDone(ep, err, evt) {
-    if (err || !this.taskInProgress) return;
-    this.logger.debug(evt, 'TaskGather:_onPlayDone, starting input timer');
-    this._startTimer();
-  }
-
   _onDtmf(ep, evt) {
     this.logger.debug(evt, 'TaskGather:_onDtmf');
     if (evt.dtmf === this.finishOnKey) this._resolve('dtmf-terminator-key');
@@ -101,6 +85,32 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
     this._killAudio();
   }
 
+  async _initSpeech(ep) {
+    const opts = {
+      GOOGLE_SPEECH_USE_ENHANCED: true,
+      GOOGLE_SPEECH_SINGLE_UTTERANCE: true,
+      GOOGLE_SPEECH_MODEL: 'phone_call'
+    };
+    if (this.hints) {
+      Object.assign(opts, {'GOOGLE_SPEECH_HINTS': this.hints.join(',')});
+    }
+    if (this.profanityFilter === true) {
+      Object.assign(opts, {'GOOGLE_SPEECH_PROFANITY_FILTER': true});
+    }
+    this.logger.debug(`setting freeswitch vars ${JSON.stringify(opts)}`);
+    await ep.set(opts)
+      .catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'Error set'));
+    ep.addCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.Transcription, this._onTranscription.bind(this, ep));
+    ep.addCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.EndOfUtterance, this._onEndOfUtterance.bind(this, ep));
+  }
+
+  _startTranscribing(ep) {
+    ep.startTranscription({
+      interim: this.partialResultCallback ? true : false,
+      language: this.language
+    }).catch((err) => this.logger.error(err, 'TaskGather:_startTranscribing error'));
+  }
+
   _startTimer() {
     assert(!this._timeoutTimer);
     this._timeoutTimer = setTimeout(() => this._resolve('timeout'), this.timeout);
@@ -123,6 +133,8 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
   _onTranscription(ep, evt) {
     this.logger.debug(evt, 'TaskGather:_onTranscription');
     if (evt.is_final) {
+      ep.removeCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.Transcription);
+      ep.removeCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.EndOfUtterance);
       this._resolve('speech', evt);
     }
     else if (this.partialResultCallback) {
@@ -131,11 +143,9 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
       });
     }
   }
-  _onNoAudioDetected(ep, evt) {
-    this.logger.info(evt, 'TaskGather:_onNoAudioDetected');
-  }
-  _onMaxDuration(ep, evt) {
-    this.logger.info(evt, 'TaskGather:_onMaxDuration');
+  _onEndOfUtterance(ep, evt) {
+    this.logger.info(evt, 'TaskGather:_onEndOfUtterance');
+    this._startTranscribing(ep);
   }
 
   _resolve(reason, evt) {
diff --git a/lib/tasks/hangup.js b/lib/tasks/hangup.js
index 8065d608..0480e144 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/hangup.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/hangup.js
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 const Task = require('./task');
-const {TaskName} = require('../utils/constants');
+const {TaskName, TaskPreconditions} = require('../utils/constants');
 
 class TaskHangup extends Task {
   constructor(logger, opts) {
     super(logger, opts);
     this.headers = this.data.headers || {};
+
+    this.preconditions = TaskPreconditions.StableCall;
   }
 
   get name() { return TaskName.Hangup; }
@@ -16,7 +18,7 @@ class TaskHangup extends Task {
     try {
       await dlg.destroy({headers: this.headers});
     } catch (err) {
-      this.logger.error(err, `TaskHangup:exec - Error hanging up call with sip call id ${dlg.sip.callId}`);
+      this.logger.error(err, 'TaskHangup:exec - Error hanging up call');
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/lib/tasks/listen.js b/lib/tasks/listen.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..37f51435
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/tasks/listen.js
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+const Task = require('./task');
+const {TaskName, TaskPreconditions, ListenEvents} = require('../utils/constants');
+const makeTask = require('./make_task');
+const assert = require('assert');
+
+class TaskListen extends Task {
+  constructor(logger, opts) {
+    super(logger, opts);
+    this.preconditions = TaskPreconditions.Endpoint;
+
+    [
+      'url', 'finishOnKey', 'maxLength', 'metadata', 'mixType', 'passDtmf', 'playBeep',
+      'sampleRate', 'timeout', 'transcribe'
+    ].forEach((k) => this[k] = this.data[k]);
+
+    this.mixType = this.mixType || 'mono';
+    this.sampleRate = this.sampleRate || 8000;
+    this.earlyMedia = this.data.earlyMedia === true;
+
+    if (this.transcribe) {
+      this.transcribeTask = makeTask(logger, {'transcribe': opts.transcribe});
+    }
+
+    this._dtmfHandler = this._onDtmf.bind(this);
+
+    this._completionPromise = new Promise((resolve) => this._completionResolver = resolve);
+  }
+
+  get name() { return TaskName.Listen; }
+
+  async exec(cs, ep) {
+    this.ep = ep;
+    try {
+      if (this.playBeep) await this._playBeep(ep);
+      if (this.transcribeTask) {
+        this.logger.debug('TaskListen:exec - starting nested transcribe task');
+        this.transcribeTask.exec(cs, ep, this);  // kicked off, _not_ waiting for it to complete
+      }
+      await this._startListening(ep);
+      await this._completionPromise;
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.logger.info(err, `TaskListen:exec - error ${this.url}`);
+    }
+    if (this.transcribeTask) this.transcribeTask.kill();
+    this._removeListeners(ep);
+    this.listenComplete = true;
+    this.emit('listenDone');
+  }
+
+  async kill() {
+    super.kill();
+    this._clearTimer();
+    if (this.ep.connected && !this.listenComplete) {
+      this.listenComplete = true;
+      if (this.transcribeTask) {
+        await this.transcribeTask.kill();
+        this.transcribeTask = null;
+      }
+      await this.ep.forkAudioStop()
+        .catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'TaskListen:kill'));
+    }
+    this._completionResolver();
+  }
+
+  async _playBeep(ep) {
+    await ep.play('tone_stream://L=1;%(500, 0, 1500)')
+      .catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'TaskListen:_playBeep Error playing beep'));
+  }
+
+  async _startListening(ep) {
+    this._initListeners(ep);
+    await ep.forkAudioStart({
+      wsUrl: this.url,
+      mixType: this.mixType,
+      sampling: this.sampleRate,
+      metadata: this.metadata
+    });
+    if (this.timeout) {
+      this._timer = setTimeout(() => {
+        this.logger.debug(`TaskListen:_startListening terminating task due to timeout of ${this.timeout} reached`);
+        this.kill();
+      }, this.timeout * 1000);
+    }
+  }
+
+  _initListeners(ep) {
+    ep.addCustomEventListener(ListenEvents.Connect, this._onConnect.bind(this, ep));
+    ep.addCustomEventListener(ListenEvents.ConnectFailure, this._onConnectFailure.bind(this, ep));
+    ep.addCustomEventListener(ListenEvents.Error, this._onError.bind(this, ep));
+    if (this.finishOnKey || this.passDtmf) {
+      ep.on('dtmf', this._dtmfHandler);
+    }
+  }
+
+  _removeListeners(ep) {
+    ep.removeCustomEventListener(ListenEvents.Connect);
+    ep.removeCustomEventListener(ListenEvents.ConnectFailure);
+    ep.removeCustomEventListener(ListenEvents.Error);
+    if (this.finishOnKey || this.passDtmf) {
+      ep.removeListener('dtmf', this._dtmfHandler);
+    }
+  }
+
+  _onDtmf(evt) {
+    if (evt.dtmf === this.finishOnKey) {
+      this.logger.info(`TaskListen:_onDtmf terminating task due to dtmf ${evt.dtmf}`);
+      this.kill();
+    }
+  }
+
+  _clearTimer() {
+    if (this._timer) {
+      clearTimeout(this._timer);
+      this._timer = null;
+    }
+  }
+  _onConnect(ep) {
+    this.logger.debug('TaskListen:_onConnect');
+  }
+  _onConnectFailure(ep, evt) {
+    this.logger.info(evt, 'TaskListen:_onConnectFailure');
+    this._completionResolver();
+  }
+  _onError(ep, evt) {
+    this.logger.info(evt, 'TaskListen:_onError');
+    this._completionResolver();
+  }
+
+}
+
+module.exports = TaskListen;
diff --git a/lib/tasks/make_task.js b/lib/tasks/make_task.js
index 68cc9871..f9b725f6 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/make_task.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/make_task.js
@@ -2,13 +2,15 @@ const Task = require('./task');
 const {TaskName} = require('../utils/constants');
 const errBadInstruction = new Error('invalid instruction payload');
 
-function makeTask(logger, opts) {
-  logger.debug(opts, 'makeTask');
-  if (typeof opts !== 'object' || Array.isArray(opts)) throw errBadInstruction;
-  const keys = Object.keys(opts);
-  if (keys.length !== 1) throw errBadInstruction;
+function makeTask(logger, obj) {
+  const keys = Object.keys(obj);
+  if (!keys || keys.length !== 1) {
+    throw errBadInstruction;
+  }
   const name = keys[0];
-  const data = opts[name];
+  const data = obj[name];
+  logger.debug(data, `makeTask: ${name}`);
+  if (typeof data !== 'object') throw errBadInstruction;
   Task.validate(name, data);
   switch (name) {
     case TaskName.SipDecline:
@@ -26,6 +28,12 @@ function makeTask(logger, opts) {
     case TaskName.Gather:
       const TaskGather = require('./gather');
       return new TaskGather(logger, data);
+    case TaskName.Transcribe:
+      const TaskTranscribe = require('./transcribe');
+      return new TaskTranscribe(logger, data);
+    case TaskName.Listen:
+      const TaskListen = require('./listen');
+      return new TaskListen(logger, data);
   }
 
   // should never reach
diff --git a/lib/tasks/play.js b/lib/tasks/play.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..12c02f83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/tasks/play.js
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+const Task = require('./task');
+const {TaskName, TaskPreconditions} = require('../utils/constants');
+
+class TaskPlay extends Task {
+  constructor(logger, opts) {
+    super(logger, opts);
+    this.preconditions = TaskPreconditions.Endpoint;
+
+    this.url = this.data.url;
+    this.loop = this.data.loop || 1;
+    this.earlyMedia = this.data.earlyMedia === true;
+    this.playComplete = false;
+  }
+
+  get name() { return TaskName.Play; }
+
+  async exec(cs, ep) {
+    this.ep = ep;
+    try {
+      while (!this.playComplete && this.loop--) {
+        await ep.play(this.url);
+      }
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.logger.info(err, `TaskPlay:exec - error playing ${this.url}`);
+    }
+    this.playComplete = true;
+    this.emit('playDone');
+  }
+
+  kill() {
+    super.kill();
+    if (this.ep.connected && !this.playComplete) {
+      this.logger.debug('TaskPlay:kill - killing audio');
+      this.playComplete = true;
+      this.ep.api('uuid_break', this.ep.uuid).catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'Error killing audio'));
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+module.exports = TaskPlay;
diff --git a/lib/tasks/say.js b/lib/tasks/say.js
index 749f55d1..40df8a22 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/say.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/say.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class TaskSay extends Task {
         text: this.text
       });
     } catch (err) {
-      if (err.message !== 'hangup') this.logger.info(err, 'TaskSay:exec error');
+      this.logger.info(err, 'TaskSay:exec error');
     }
     this.emit('playDone');
     this.sayComplete = true;
diff --git a/lib/tasks/specs.json b/lib/tasks/specs.json
index 9f7e7176..0ae058cf 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/specs.json
+++ b/lib/tasks/specs.json
@@ -16,11 +16,22 @@
     "required": [
     ]
   },
+  "play": {
+    "properties": {
+      "url": "string",
+      "loop": "number",
+      "earlyMedia": "boolean"
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "url"
+    ]
+  },
   "say": {
     "properties": {
       "text": "string",
       "loop": "number",
-      "synthesizer": "#synthesizer"
+      "synthesizer": "#synthesizer",
+      "earlyMedia": "boolean"
     },
     "required": [
       "text",
@@ -31,14 +42,12 @@
     "properties": {
       "action": "string",
       "finishOnKey": "string",
-      "hints": "array",
       "input": "array",
-      "language": "string",
       "numDigits": "number",
       "partialResultCallback": "string",
-      "profanityFilter": "boolean",
       "speechTimeout": "number",
       "timeout": "number",
+      "recognizer": "#recognizer",
       "say": "#say"
     },
     "required": [
@@ -73,37 +82,34 @@
   },
   "listen": {
     "properties": {
+      "finishOnKey": "string",
+      "maxLength": "number",
       "metadata": "object",
       "mixType": {
         "type": "string",
         "enum": ["mono", "stereo", "mixed"]
       },
       "passDtmf": "boolean",
+      "playBeep": "boolean",
       "sampleRate": "number",
-      "source": {
-        "type": "string",
-        "enum": ["parent", "child", "both"]
-      },
-      "wsUrl": "string"
+      "timeout": "number",
+      "transcribe": "#transcribe",
+      "url": "string",
+      "earlyMedia": "boolean"
     },
     "required": [
-      "wsUrl",
-      "sampleRate"
+      "url"
     ]
   },
   "transcribe": {
     "properties": {
       "action": "string",
-      "interim": "boolean",
-      "jsonKey": "string",
-      "language": "string",
-      "source": "string",
-      "vendor": "string"
+      "recognizer": "#recognizer",
+      "earlyMedia": "boolean"
     },
     "required": [
       "action",
-      "jsonKey",
-      "language"
+      "recognizer"
     ]
   },
   "target": {
@@ -143,6 +149,28 @@
         "enum": ["google"]
       },
       "voice": "string"
-    }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "vendor"
+    ]
+  },
+  "recognizer": {
+    "properties": {
+      "vendor": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "enum": ["google"]
+      },
+      "language": "string",
+      "hints": "array",
+      "profanityFilter": "boolean",
+      "interim": "boolean",
+      "mixType": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "enum": ["mono", "stereo", "mixed"]
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "vendor"
+    ]
   }
 }
diff --git a/lib/tasks/task.js b/lib/tasks/task.js
index 13d600f6..b6b5f4c7 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/task.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/task.js
@@ -13,6 +13,12 @@ class Task extends Emitter {
     this.preconditions = TaskPreconditions.None;
     this.logger = logger;
     this.data = data;
+
+    this._killInProgress = false;
+  }
+
+  get killed() {
+    return this._killInProgress;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -20,6 +26,8 @@ class Task extends Emitter {
    * what to do is up to each type of task
    */
   kill() {
+    this.logger.debug(`${this.name} is being killed`);
+    this._killInProgress = true;
     // no-op
   }
 
diff --git a/lib/tasks/transcribe.js b/lib/tasks/transcribe.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e605f192
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/tasks/transcribe.js
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+const Task = require('./task');
+const {TaskName, TaskPreconditions, TranscriptionEvents} = require('../utils/constants');
+const assert = require('assert');
+
+class TaskTranscribe extends Task {
+  constructor(logger, opts) {
+    super(logger, opts);
+    this.preconditions = TaskPreconditions.Endpoint;
+
+    this.action = this.data.action;
+    this.language = this.data.language || 'en-US';
+    this.vendor = this.data.vendor;
+    this.interim = this.data.interim === true;
+    this.mixType = this.data.mixType;
+    this.earlyMedia = this.data.earlyMedia === true;
+
+    this._completionPromise = new Promise((resolve) => this._completionResolver = resolve);
+  }
+
+  get name() { return TaskName.Transcribe; }
+
+  async exec(cs, ep, parentTask) {
+    this.ep = ep;
+    this.actionHook = ep.cs.actionHook;
+    this.transcribeInProgress = true;
+    try {
+      await this._initSpeech(ep);
+      await this._startTranscribing(ep);
+      await this._completionPromise;
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.logger.info(err, 'TaskTranscribe:exec - error');
+    }
+    this.transcribeInProgress = true;
+    ep.removeCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.Transcription);
+  }
+
+  async kill() {
+    super.kill();
+    if (this.ep.connected && this.transcribeInProgress) {
+      this.ep.stopTranscription().catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'Error TaskTranscribe:kill'));
+
+      // hangup after 1 sec if we don't get a final transcription
+      this._timer = setTimeout(() => this._completionResolver(), 1000);
+    }
+    else {
+      this._completionResolver();
+    }
+    await this._completionPromise;
+  }
+
+  async _initSpeech(ep) {
+    const opts = {
+      GOOGLE_SPEECH_USE_ENHANCED: true,
+      GOOGLE_SPEECH_MODEL: 'phone_call'
+    };
+    if (this.hints) {
+      Object.assign(opts, {'GOOGLE_SPEECH_HINTS': this.hints.join(',')});
+    }
+    if (this.profanityFilter === true) {
+      Object.assign(opts, {'GOOGLE_SPEECH_PROFANITY_FILTER': true});
+    }
+    await ep.set(opts)
+      .catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'TaskTranscribe:_initSpeech error setting fs vars'));
+    ep.addCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.Transcription, this._onTranscription.bind(this, ep));
+    ep.addCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.NoAudioDetected, this._onNoAudio.bind(this, ep));
+    ep.addCustomEventListener(TranscriptionEvents.MaxDurationExceeded, this._onMaxDurationExceeded.bind(this, ep));
+  }
+
+  async _startTranscribing(ep) {
+    await ep.startTranscription({
+      interim: this.interim ? true : false,
+      language: this.language
+    });
+  }
+
+  _onTranscription(ep, evt) {
+    this.logger.debug(evt, 'TaskTranscribe:_onTranscription');
+    this.actionHook(this.action, 'POST', {
+      Speech: evt
+    });
+    if (this.killed) {
+      this.logger.debug('TaskTranscribe:_onTranscription exiting after receiving final transcription');
+      this._clearTimer();
+      this._completionResolver();
+    }
+  }
+
+  _onNoAudio(ep) {
+    this.logger.debug('TaskTranscribe:_onNoAudio restarting transcription');
+    this._startTranscribing(ep);
+  }
+
+  _onMaxDurationExceeded(ep) {
+    this.logger.debug('TaskTranscribe:_onMaxDurationExceeded restarting transcription');
+    this._startTranscribing(ep);
+  }
+
+  _clearTimer() {
+    if (this._timer) {
+      clearTimeout(this._timer);
+      this._timer = null;
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+module.exports = TaskTranscribe;
diff --git a/lib/utils/constants.json b/lib/utils/constants.json
index 1309ea30..eb2fc27c 100644
--- a/lib/utils/constants.json
+++ b/lib/utils/constants.json
@@ -32,5 +32,23 @@
     "Endpoint": "endpoint",
     "StableCall": "stable-call",
     "UnansweredCall": "unanswered-call"
+  },
+  "TranscriptionEvents": {
+    "Transcription": "google_transcribe::transcription",
+    "EndOfUtterance": "google_transcribe::end_of_utterance",
+    "NoAudioDetected": "google_transcribe::no_audio_detected",
+    "MaxDurationExceeded": "google_transcribe::max_duration_exceeded"
+  },
+  "ListenEvents": {
+    "Connect": "mod_audio_fork::connect",
+    "ConnectFailure": "mod_audio_fork::connect_failed",
+    "Transcription": "mod_audio_fork::transcription",
+    "Transfer": "mod_audio_fork::transcription",
+    "PlayAudio": "mod_audio_fork::play_audio",
+    "KillAudio": "mod_audio_fork::kill_audio",
+    "Disconnect": "mod_audio_fork::disconnect",
+    "Error": "mod_audio_fork::error",
+    "BufferOverrun": "mod_audio_fork::buffer_overrun",
+    "JsonMessage": "mod_audio_fork::json"
   }
 }
diff --git a/lib/utils/normalize-jamones.js b/lib/utils/normalize-jamones.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..73ecd367
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/utils/normalize-jamones.js
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+function normalizeJambones(logger, obj) {
+  logger.debug(`normalizeJambones: ${JSON.stringify(obj)}`);
+  if (!Array.isArray(obj)) throw new Error('invalid JSON: jambones docs must be array');
+  const document = [];
+  for (const tdata of obj) {
+    if (typeof tdata !== 'object') throw new Error('invalid JSON: jambones docs must be array of objects');
+    if (Object.keys(tdata).length === 1) {
+      // {'say': {..}}
+      logger.debug(`pushing ${JSON.stringify(tdata)}`);
+      document.push(tdata);
+    }
+    else if ('verb' in tdata) {
+      // {verb: 'say', text: 'foo..bar'..}
+      const name = tdata.verb;
+      const o = {};
+      Object.keys(tdata)
+        .filter((k) => k !== 'verb')
+        .forEach((k) => o[k] = tdata[k]);
+      const o2 = {};
+      o2[name] = o;
+      document.push(o2);
+    }
+    else {
+      logger.info(tdata, `invalid JSON: invalid verb form, numkeys ${Object.keys(tdata).length}`);
+      throw new Error('invalid JSON: invalid verb form');
+    }
+  }
+  logger.debug(`returning document with ${document.length} tasks`);
+  return document;
+}
+
+module.exports = normalizeJambones;
+
diff --git a/lib/utils/notifiers.js b/lib/utils/notifiers.js
index 74036a12..45bd5df6 100644
--- a/lib/utils/notifiers.js
+++ b/lib/utils/notifiers.js
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ function hooks(logger, callAttributes) {
       url,
       method,
       json: true,
-      qs: 'GET' === method ? params : null,
-      body: 'POST' === method ? params : null
+      qs: 'GET' === method ? params : callAttributes,
+      body: 'POST' === method ? opts : null
     };
     logger.debug(`${method} ${url} sending ${JSON.stringify(obj)}`);
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
diff --git a/lib/utils/place-outdial.js b/lib/utils/place-outdial.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1ca82165
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/utils/place-outdial.js
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+const Emitter = require('events');
+const {CallStatus} = require('./constants');
+
+class SingleDialer extends Emitter {
+  constructor(logger, opts) {
+    super();
+    this.logger = logger;
+    this.cs = opts.cs;
+    this.ms = opts.ms;
+  }
+
+  get callState() {
+    return this._callState;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * launch the outdial
+   */
+  exec() {
+
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * kill the call in progress, or stable dialog, whichever
+   */
+  async kill() {
+
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * execute a jambones application on this call / endpoint
+   * @param {*} jambones document
+   */
+  async runApp(document) {
+
+  }
+
+  async _createEndpoint() {
+
+  }
+
+  async _outdial() {
+
+  }
+
+}
+
+function placeOutdial(logger, opts) {
+  const singleDialer = new SingleDialer(logger, opts);
+  singleDialer.exec();
+  return singleDialer;
+}
+
+module.exports = placeOutdial;
+
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 1c20f620..2835728d 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -706,6 +706,50 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/drachtio-fn-b2b-sugar/-/drachtio-fn-b2b-sugar-0.0.12.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-FKPAcEMJTYKDrd9DJUCc4VHnY/c65HOO9k8XqVNognF9T02hKEjGuBCM4Da9ipyfiHmVRuECwj0XNvZ361mkVQ=="
     },
+    "drachtio-fsmrf": {
+      "version": "1.5.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/drachtio-fsmrf/-/drachtio-fsmrf-1.5.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-4DQ5N0jCQIHYVn06zPw0lH4sq+nCP11NiC0Y680eC2biFeK2UREFzqJg+/tFKeK4yuj89sshMcVx+0cG+x1E8Q==",
+      "requires": {
+        "async": "^1.4.2",
+        "debug": "^2.2.0",
+        "delegates": "^0.1.0",
+        "drachtio-modesl": "^1.2.0",
+        "drachtio-srf": "^4.4.15",
+        "lodash": "^4.17.15",
+        "minimist": "^1.2.0",
+        "moment": "^2.13.0",
+        "only": "0.0.2",
+        "sdp-transform": "^2.7.0",
+        "uuid": "^3.0.0"
+      },
+      "dependencies": {
+        "debug": {
+          "version": "2.6.9",
+          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/debug/-/debug-2.6.9.tgz",
+          "integrity": "sha512-bC7ElrdJaJnPbAP+1EotYvqZsb3ecl5wi6Bfi6BJTUcNowp6cvspg0jXznRTKDjm/E7AdgFBVeAPVMNcKGsHMA==",
+          "requires": {
+            "ms": "2.0.0"
+          }
+        },
+        "ms": {
+          "version": "2.0.0",
+          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ms/-/ms-2.0.0.tgz",
+          "integrity": "sha1-VgiurfwAvmwpAd9fmGF4jeDVl8g="
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "drachtio-modesl": {
+      "version": "1.2.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/drachtio-modesl/-/drachtio-modesl-1.2.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-nkua3RfYnT32OvglERO2zWzJZAfQooZIarZVVAye+iGqTwYJ69X7bU7du5SBHz/jBl+LgeWITMP2fMe2TelxmA==",
+      "requires": {
+        "debug": "^4.1.1",
+        "eventemitter2": "^4.1",
+        "uuid": "^3.1.0",
+        "xml2js": "^0.4.19"
+      }
+    },
     "drachtio-mw-registration-parser": {
       "version": "0.0.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/drachtio-mw-registration-parser/-/drachtio-mw-registration-parser-0.0.2.tgz",
@@ -959,6 +1003,11 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-kVscqXk4OCp68SZ0dkgEKVi6/8ij300KBWTJq32P/dYeWTSwK41WyTxalN1eRmA5Z9UU/LX9D7FWSmV9SAYx6g==",
       "dev": true
     },
+    "eventemitter2": {
+      "version": "4.1.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/eventemitter2/-/eventemitter2-4.1.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha1-DhqEd6+CGm7zmVsxG/dMI6UkfxU="
+    },
     "events-to-array": {
       "version": "1.1.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/events-to-array/-/events-to-array-1.1.2.tgz",
@@ -2762,6 +2811,16 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/safer-buffer/-/safer-buffer-2.1.2.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-YZo3K82SD7Riyi0E1EQPojLz7kpepnSQI9IyPbHHg1XXXevb5dJI7tpyN2ADxGcQbHG7vcyRHk0cbwqcQriUtg=="
     },
+    "sax": {
+      "version": "1.2.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/sax/-/sax-1.2.4.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-NqVDv9TpANUjFm0N8uM5GxL36UgKi9/atZw+x7YFnQ8ckwFGKrl4xX4yWtrey3UJm5nP1kUbnYgLopqWNSRhWw=="
+    },
+    "sdp-transform": {
+      "version": "2.13.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/sdp-transform/-/sdp-transform-2.13.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-3zT7pcjR090E0WCV9eOtFX06iojoNKsyMXqXs7clOs8sy+RoegR0cebmCuCrTKdY2jw1XhT9jkraygJrqAUwzA=="
+    },
     "semver": {
       "version": "6.3.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/semver/-/semver-6.3.0.tgz",
@@ -4887,6 +4946,20 @@
         "signal-exit": "^3.0.2"
       }
     },
+    "xml2js": {
+      "version": "0.4.23",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/xml2js/-/xml2js-0.4.23.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ySPiMjM0+pLDftHgXY4By0uswI3SPKLDw/i3UXbnO8M/p28zqexCUoPmQFrYD+/1BzhGJSs2i1ERWKJAtiLrug==",
+      "requires": {
+        "sax": ">=0.6.0",
+        "xmlbuilder": "~11.0.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "xmlbuilder": {
+      "version": "11.0.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/xmlbuilder/-/xmlbuilder-11.0.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-fDlsI/kFEx7gLvbecc0/ohLG50fugQp8ryHzMTuW9vSa1GJ0XYWKnhsUx7oie3G98+r56aTQIUB4kht42R3JvA=="
+    },
     "xtend": {
       "version": "4.0.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/xtend/-/xtend-4.0.2.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 4bdabd19..20adf4b0 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -28,9 +28,9 @@
     "config": "^3.2.4",
     "debug": "^4.1.1",
     "drachtio-fn-b2b-sugar": "0.0.12",
-    "drachtio-fsmrf": "1.5.10",
+    "drachtio-fsmrf": "^1.5.11",
     "drachtio-srf": "^4.4.27",
-    "jambonz-db-helpers": "^0.1.6",
+    "jambonz-db-helpers": "^0.1.7",
     "moment": "^2.24.0",
     "pino": "^5.14.0",
     "request": "^2.88.0",
diff --git a/test/data/bad/invalid-type.json b/test/data/bad/invalid-type.json
index b400a1b5..7e28d615 100644
--- a/test/data/bad/invalid-type.json
+++ b/test/data/bad/invalid-type.json
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
   "sip:decline": {
     "status": "hello"
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/test/data/good/alternate-syntax.json b/test/data/good/alternate-syntax.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..62b8053b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/data/good/alternate-syntax.json
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+[
+  {
+    "verb": "gather",
+    "action": "https://00dd977a.ngrok.io/gather",
+    "input": ["speech"],
+    "timeout": 12,
+    "recognizer": {
+      "vendor": "google",
+      "language": "en-US",
+      "hints": ["sales", "support", "engineering", "human resources", "HR", "operator", "agent"]  
+    },
+    "say": {
+      "text": "Please say the name of the department that you would like to speak with.  To speak to an operator, just say operator.",
+      "synthesizer": {
+        "vendor": "google",
+        "voice": "en-US-Wavenet-C"
+      }
+    }
+  },
+  {
+    "verb": "say",
+    "text": "I'm sorry, I did not hear a response.  Goodbye.",
+    "synthesizer": {
+      "vendor": "google",
+      "voice": "en-US-Wavenet-C"
+    }
+  },
+  {
+    "verb": "hangup"
+  }
+]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/data/good/dial-listen.json b/test/data/good/dial-listen.json
index 31bca8ee..ccb3e363 100644
--- a/test/data/good/dial-listen.json
+++ b/test/data/good/dial-listen.json
@@ -9,11 +9,10 @@
       }
     ],
     "listen": {
-      "wsUrl": "wss://myrecorder.example.com:4433",
+      "url": "wss://myrecorder.example.com:4433",
       "mixType" : "stereo",
       "sampleRate": 8000,
       "passDtmf": true,
-      "source": "parent",
       "metadata": {
         "clientId": "12udih"
       }
diff --git a/test/data/good/dial-sip.json b/test/data/good/dial-sip.json
index cde1a088..b0e1f88e 100644
--- a/test/data/good/dial-sip.json
+++ b/test/data/good/dial-sip.json
@@ -13,4 +13,4 @@
       }
     ]
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/test/data/good/dial-transcribe.json b/test/data/good/dial-transcribe.json
index fb5f7d4b..1d82f660 100644
--- a/test/data/good/dial-transcribe.json
+++ b/test/data/good/dial-transcribe.json
@@ -10,11 +10,12 @@
     ],
     "transcribe": {
       "action": "http://example.com/transcribe",
-      "language" : "en-US",
-      "source" : "both",
-      "interim": true,
-      "vendor": "google",
-      "jsonKey": "--json service key--" 
+      "recognizer": {
+        "vendor": "google",
+        "language" : "en-US",
+        "mixType" : "stereo",
+        "interim": true
+      }
     }
   }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/unit-tests.js b/test/unit-tests.js
index a4c66833..6dd1ff47 100644
--- a/test/unit-tests.js
+++ b/test/unit-tests.js
@@ -36,6 +36,13 @@ test('app payload parsing tests', (t) => {
   task = makeTask(logger, require('./data/good/dial-listen'));
   t.ok(task.name === 'dial', 'parsed dial w/ listen');
 
+  const alt = require('./data/good/alternate-syntax');
+  const normalize = require('../lib/utils/normalize-jamones');
+  normalize(logger, alt).forEach((t) => {
+    const task = makeTask(logger, t);
+  });
+  t.pass('alternate syntax works');
+
   t.end();
 });