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I'm puzzled by the need for "Word counts in brackets refer to clue answers". I'd usually take this to mean that some answers are shortened/lengthened/have gaps when entered, but this is not the case here?

Hi Mattrom,

I took it to refer to clues like 15a where the clue answer is 2 words but the entry isn't.

Ah, yes! Thanks, Brendan.

Thanks Mattrom and yes, you were right, as I was including the 4th word of 18a as part of the definition - it was only when I went back to your post that I realised!

lumen - recommend you count the number of letters in the song title, and reread the preamble about identifying the recipient of message.
-Im in same place as you, except i dont know the 13 cells yet

As grid stares go, it's only the required step away from being as simple as it's possible to get.

Googling the song is an option if necessary.

What a brilliant puzzle. Tricky to find all the substitutions but very fair. Most satisfying Listener I've done for years: thanks eXternal.

Thanks Brendan, never heard of those troubadour.
Andyp, I found the 13 cells - but just by changing a few apparently random letters.

lumen - the letters that get replaced are random, but the letters you replace them with are not

All done except for 18 across which, despite the hint(s) earlier in this thread, I still cannot parse. I know the letter which has to be replaced and that gives me (I think) two choices for the letter which needs to be added to the clue. I don't think I should list them here and I can only see how to add the first (alphabetically) to one of the words in the clue. Have I got the right letter?