There's a single-chip solution, for recording and playback of up to
16 minutes of sound, called ChipCorder, formerly made by ISD (now
WindBond).  I tinkered with the 30-second versions about eight years
ago, and was very impressed with their ease of use and sound quality.
You pretty much just add a battery, speaker, and control switch (or
pushbuttons for record and playback).  I don't know the current prices.
Product information can be found at
  http://www.winbond.com.tw/e-winbondhtm/partner/b_2_a_4_b.htm.

Carl Aeschliman