Spectator 1930

[greyfox]

SongVI

If at first you don't succeed...

[greyfox]

Try,try again...

http://www.spectator.co.uk/article_assets/articledir_10605/5302691/crossword.pdf

Hyperlink not working in new AB format?!

[kayakamina]

Thanks Greyfox.

I think the song title is the complete opposite of this new layout!!

[zita-green]

Thanks Greyfox

[crucifernz]

Fellow Speccie solvers should note that there is an error in the clues.

2 DOWN has 5 NOT 6 letters.

This new AB is proving even slower for me, being a Stoneage dialup beggar.

Although I've got the song title, this week's Speccie is more challenging than last few.

[turnerjmw]

Thanks for the link, Greyfox. Yes, harder than some, but quite fun. Are you sure there's an error in 2d, crucifernz?The symmetry of the grid implies six letters, and the clue works with either. Indeed, you could argue the "is" is redundant if it's five.

[crofter]

Many thanks greyfox for this link.

I had to access it via Google as I found the new-format AB impossible to navigate!

What happened to "If it's not broke ~ don't fix it!"?

[zita-green]

Thanks for the hint, K. It saved me lots of time. Is 2d 5 or 6? You've got me all confused.

[kayakamina]

Zita

2d is 5 but would work as 6 (plural).

31d & 12d are an anagram of the composer.

[zita-green]

Thank you, again, K

[turnerjmw]

K, do you mind me asking how you know 2d is 5 letters rather than 6? Has it been published as a correction? I confess I don't understand it at all. The clue works equally well, or better, at 6, and the symmetry of the entire crossword has been ruined for no reason. I smell the hand of an interfering editor, who either doesn't care for "is" in its shortened form, or doesn't like neckwear referring to more than one thing, both of which are surely uncontroversial. When we get weekly references to diacriticals and accents, thiis seems contrary.

I know it's an irrelevance to the solution, so I won't labour the point, but I would be most interested in your, and any other, views.

[kayakamina]

Hi Turnerjmw.

I didn't bother too much as it made no difference to the solution but I agree with
you that it is unsatisfactory. With each passing week I find myself more and more critical
of the crossword editor, who, not only sets crosswords well below the standard of
his team, but whose editing is dire.

Regards K

[zita-green]

Dear K, I have the composer but am stuck on clued lights. I can't get anywhere with 1a. I seem to be on an unfruitful train of thought.

[kayakamina]

zita

1a Is an anagram (odd) of SHAPE + RIC(h) - rolling

[turnerjmw]

Many thanks as ever, K, for your candour. For what it's worth, I agree entirely.

Best wishes

Turnerjmw

[zita-green]

Thank you, K. I know that you find it so easy but we new bugs still struggle.

[robinruth]

Intrigued by your discussion of 2d as I truly don't see why it would be 5. 'IS' can indicate 'S' can't it? (and the plural item seems to fit the clue, as an alternative spelling). I am wondering what the editor is receiving flak for in this case. Certainly his offerings are easier that the others of the team, but for some of us, that is welcome.

[oldenburg]

I agree with robinruth and enjoy Doc's puzzles.
This weeks unclued lights currently have me stumped. The grid is complete (except for 8d) and I have the composer jumble & song but am failing to see how the five unclued lights might suggest the song. Can anyone provide a hint - without giving the game away entirely?

[crucifernz]

Hi - I was the idiot who said 2 DOWN should be 5. I see now that for symmetry it should be 6 letters. Sorry - doesn't affect the solution to 19 ACROSS.

Help for Oldenburg: 8 DOWN is "a member of the Ethiopic branch of Semitic languages with about 6 million speakers in the Tigre region of Ethiopia, in Central Eritrea...", very obscure!

The unclued lights are 'varieties' or synonyms of anagrams of the first word in the song that is doing what the second word suggests. Even so, I'm not certain about 6 ACROSS and 17 ACROSS. Confirmation (or subtle hints) would be appreciated.

Apart from these 2 unclued lights, I'm stumped on 5 DOWN: Chopin's little boat crossing lake. I have CLO_ (4 letters) there are only a few words which fit this pattern.

[robinruth]

Look up the first word in Chambers (its second definition) and you'll be kicking yourself (or giving someone the boot!)

[oldenburg]

Thank you crucifernz and robinruth. Really helpful.