New B-Ginnings 
Confuse with booze BESOT [liked the rhyme]
Knight wear ARMOR
Read letters? SPELT
Head of the ranch? HERD
Theme: first word of a phrase is respelled but sounds the same while now beginning with
bResult of a cock’s crow? BROODAWAKENING [rude awakening]
Shindig for Swahili VIP’s? BWANADANCE [“wanna dance?”]
Bedbugs on the Orient Express? BERTHWORMS [earth worms]
Bar, in 13-Down {LAW} EXAM [the test called “the bar,” is shortened from “bar exam” --- bar is not the exam]
RATING:
Three grins = Excellent: Loved it; Two grins = Good: Enjoyed it; One grin = Satisfactory: A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Unsatisfying: No fun
