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I wondered about that. The outside letters are a musical note and there is “a player” in the middle. But “musical work” I’m not convinced by. As you say, perhaps it is just cryptic?

Ohh, it’s all in reverse! Usual two letters for musical work then “a player” (in a roguish sense). “Back” seems to be part of the reversal indication and the definition

well worked out, jono!

jono - I had exactly the same experience as you re 6dn etc- having got 1 and 8ac, I convinced myself that the crossers could only lead to the financial institution being the first word, and the phrase accordingly took a while to drop. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this was deliberate misdirection on the part of Paul.

Re 22a, you're probably correct about the parsing but I'd taken it as the title of an excellent album ('musical work') by Arthur Lee's band, Love.

Well, 4, 26,6 is the last one evading me - I think the financial institution accounts for the first 3 letters and the last one ..... but if so, is it an expression I don't know? I'm fairly sure of all my crossers

Unless it's a US phrase?

Yes, it’s American informal. Originally specifically relating to military expenditure, now more generally “good value”.

Thanks Jono - I was using the wrong part of the clue as the definition 🙄

Just wonder why 3d is " as a pilot " . I have the "thickened" answer .Maybe the cold weather has affected my brain.