Spectator 2063 Saturday May 12th 2012

[mintyman99]

http://www.spectator....7836113/crossword.pdf

[lashley]

many thanks

[barryjbutler]

Thanks Mintyman...

[whatsthat]

Thanks once again, mm.

[Neveracrossword]

38 A. Hit album special almost slick new composer cuts (10, two words)
?il?erd???
Have been trying to work with 'killer...' but can't get anywhere.

[mad max]

many thanks for link

[haggis58]

Think of a metal with circular object.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, will re-activate my brain with that.

[greyfox]

S il(verdi)sk

[Neveracrossword]

Haggis - got it, thanks for yur help.

[greyfox]

Sorry, hadn't refreshed the page and seen previous hint.

Since the cat's out of the bag I meant 'Silver Disc'.

[kayakamina]

Thanks mintyman.

I thought the setter was being overgenerous in giving us the word breakdown of the perimeter message and 25 corner letters.
I would have preferred more of a challenge.

[kayakamina]

Sorry - that should read 20 corner letters!

[haggis58]

I agree Kayakamina. Can you explain the solution to 36ac and dis you go for master or mister?

[haggis58]

Sorry that should be did not dis.

[kayakamina]

Hi haggis

Canon - round...Can (stir/prison) On (round/about)

Master

[haggis58]

Thanks for the explanation of canon. My copy of Chambers (the latest edition) does not state 'a piece of music similar to a round' but the on-line word wizard dictionary does. How bizarre!

[teenieleek]

Thank you mintyman. As usual I am late to the party but I do look forward to this on a Thursday.

[hypotheses]

20A I went for "MISTER" rather than "MASTER" because of the quotation "How pleasant to know Mr. Lear". Is it a toss-up, or will either be accepted? Not clear about 27A: Songbird in Snowdonia possibly left for Portugal. L_R_. LARK seems obvious, but don't see why.

[AHearer]

In order:
a) Thanks, mintyman.
b) I went for Mister, for the same reason as you, hypothesis
c) Snowdonia (national) park, L(eft) for P(ortugal, IVR).

[hypotheses]

Thanks AHearer - all clear now.