Good Phi puzzle as always, solving time 21 mins.
* = anagram < = reversed
ACROSS
1 MUS(t) I C Definition: notes
4 BAGUETTES (Bet a guest)*
9 S (A RACE) N Sn = tin
10 LOO S EST
11 WHEN I’M SIXTY FOUR Beatles song (air). Curiously this appeared very recently in a Quixote IoS puzzle. In that case it was marking that landmark being passed by the setter, not so this time.
12 RIP (water movement) ARIA (lay = song) N Definition: of riverbank (adj)
14 ST AS IS
17 DO TARD drat<
18 BRI (MMI) NG MMI = 2001
20 EXERCISE BICYCLE Excellent cryptic definition, punning on ‘still’
22 BUS FARE Another good one punning on (bus) ‘stop’
23 BA (D DEB) T tab<
24 WIN THE DAY (what I deny)*
25 TI(vigouR)ED & lit – my favourite clue.
DOWN
1 MISS WOR(L)D first letter of ‘latest’
2 SIR LES PATTERSON (prattles on rises)* This was my last answer, worked out when I’d all the crossing letters. I’m probably in a tiny minority not being familiar with him, but just in case there is anyone else in the same position he’s a character played by Barry Humphries of Dame Enda Everage fame and the clue refers to his role as cultural attaché. BH doesn’t make those characters 15 letters long to fit nicely in puzzles, does he?
3 CO CC I C (about) twice i.e. duplicating
4 B (AND SM) AN
5 GA (LAX)Y
6 E COSY STEM
7 THE COAST IS CLEAR Double definition
8 SATYR Hidden reversal
13 RO (R SCH) ACH
15 SUGGESTED (DEmocraTS EGG US)<
16 PROB(e) ABLY
19 A S(C)END send = thrill “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke comes to mind.
20 ELBOW (wobble)< missing one b i.e. half-heartedly wobble = shake
21 CA (DE) T de = of in French
Very enjoyable. I second TIRED, an excellent clue. I got SIR LES PATTERSON immediately, as soon as I saw ‘cultural ambassador’. I then checked the other 15 letter lights for (4,4,7) assuming his sibling(?) would make an appearance.
Since Dame Edna already put in an appearance in Monday’s Radian puzzle, I think another outing this week might qualify as over-exposure.