Crosby, say, taking short cut to Reno, going west (7)
I believe the answer is:
crooner
'crosby say' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'short cut to reno going west' is the wordplay.
'short cut' becomes 'orc' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'going west' says the letters should be written backwards.
'orc' put after 'reno' is 'renoorc'.
'renoorc' reversed gives 'CROONER'.
'taking' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for crooner that I've seen before include "Singer of quiet songs" , "Singer like Bing and Frank" , "Bing Crosby, for example" , "Sentimental balladeer" , "Crosby-type singer" .)