CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Most evil since being boxed by finest (6) 4 Small guitar strummer without large range (8) 9 Some singers are poetic backing musical works (6) 10 Actually taking on phone company owing money (8) 11 Mass said first for puritan (8) 13 Starting to appear less exciting really, initially (6) 15 Ailment’s best treated ringing hospital foundation (13) 18 Children go nuts almost shaking teddy? (13) 22 Greek god’s about gutted accepting heathens (6) 24 Physical work’s rejected in pen (8) 26 Boss promises to pay hard-working (8) 27 Mournful song from Led Zeppelin singer penning single (6) 28 Silver brought back covered by excise charge (8) 29 Declines to go after circular saws (6)
DOWN 1 Head of buddleia emerges producing flowers (6) 2 Front line deviously reshaped round middle of war (9) 3 Colour of little wound? (7) 5 Fix time for drink (4) 6 Fast one from con man on the phone (7) 7 Speed getting left behind animal (5) 8 Second time around Queen soften (8) 12 Nice bust remodelled on French article (6) 14 Bar in club is trouble (6) 16 Devouring extract of ginseng or ginger (9) 17 Alleged drunk swallowing very big measure (8) 19 Published piece that shows where one stands (7) 20 Stuck, the compiler’s turned white (7) 21 Loud instruments and quiet instruments? (6) 23 Porridge in heartless gaol, full of regret (5) 25 Reportedly wriggled out of tube (4)