The Big Gigs for week of 11/25

POP/ROCK

After celebrating the heyday albums "Let It Be" and "Tim" on their 25th anniversaries, First Avenue's Tribute to the Replacements is going back to the beginning in year No. 3. On tap this time is "Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash," the Minneapolis rock antiheroes' bursting and bratty debut from 30 years ago, featuring such classics as "Taking a Ride," "Customer" and "I'm in Trouble." It will be revived in its entirety by a team of TBA all-star singers and the usual house band with guitar wiz Terry Eason and members of the Melismatics and Heiruspecs. Mini-sets of all 'Mats eras will also be played by Red Pens, BNLX, the 4onthefloor, Story of the Sea, Night Moves, Poverty Hash and many more. (8 p.m. Fri., First Ave & 7th Street Entry. $8.) Chris Riemenschneider

The rollout of a white vinyl edition of "Soundtrack to the End" and a new video are decent enough excuses for one of the Twin Cities area's favorite, melody-rich indie-rock bands, Communist Daughter, to take over one of Minneapolis' coolest little theaters for two nights. And the holiday makes it a great chance to catch Kid Dakota on break from his teaching job in South Dakota and back with partner Eliza Blue to preview songs from a new album due next month. They open the first show, while ragged gypsy-rock ensemble El Le Faunt & His Traveling Circus opens the second night. (7 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls. $10.) Riemenschneider

Markéta Irglova was only 18 when she made her debut in the ridiculously uplifting musical film "Once," which led to a memorable trip to the Academy Awards podium (remember Jon Stewart calling her back out to finish her speech?). It also launched two successful albums and many tours as the Swell Season with her on-screen partner Glen Hansard. Still only 23, Irglova made the logical leap toward a solo career last month with the Anti- Records release "Ansar," full of dramatic, elegant piano ballads that are part Carole King and part Tori Amos. Her shows are also featuring swell (pun intended) collaborations with labelmate Sean Rowe. (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center. $18-$20.) Riemenschneider

For his annual holiday harvesting hoedown, virtuoso Minneapolis fiddler/mandolinist Peter Ostroushko has enlisted a stellar cast, including Irish fiddle champ Liz Carroll, U.S. fiddle ace Darol Anger (Turtle Island String Quartet, David Grisman Quintet), Twin Cities guitar great Dean Magraw and teenage Minnesota fiddlers Shena Tschofen and Sedra Bistodeau. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Fitzgerald Theater, $34.) Jon Bream

Twin Cities songwriting great Mason Jennings just issued what might be the best or at least most definitive album of his impressively unflinching career, "Minnesota," and he's reaping the rewards. The past few months have brought him nice Rolling Stone exposure, TV placement ("Parenthood" just last week) and a well-received tour with the ever-enchanting Pines as openers. They're doing two shows here a month apart, starting with this one. (7 p.m. Sat., First Avenue. $22-$25.) Riemenschneider

She always rocks out with her band. But this time, powerhouse vocalist Brandi Carlile goes solo, doing the songs that have made the Twin Cities her best market as well as previewing material from next year's album. The Washington state star, known for "The Story" and "Turpentine," is asking concertgoers to bring unopened, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots campaign. Opening are the Secret Sisters, an Alabama duo with a flair for pretty, pure, precious front porch music. (7:30 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Fitzgerald. Sold out.) Bream

At 78, "Hee Haw" host Roy Clark is still pickin' and grinnin'. One of Nashville's most versatile entertainers, the Country Music Hall of Famer was a key figure in the growth of country in the 1970s, thanks to his weekly appearances on "Hee Haw," recurring role on "The Beverly Hillbillies" and guest-hosting stints on "The Tonight Show." The jokes may be corny but the fingerwork on guitar, banjo and mandolin is exciting. (7 p.m. Sun., Dakota Jazz Club, $45.) Bream

For the second consecutive post-Thanksgiving show, hometown guitar god Leo Kottke is back at the Guthrie, where he belongs. It's not the same Guthrie where he recorded his delightful "My Feet Are Smiling" live album in 1973. But it's an intimate space that's ideal for his masterful guitar work and mystifying humor. Last year, he proved that he is the funniest instrumentalist in the history of recorded music (Steve Martin included). For his 26th annual post-turkey Twin Cities concert, Kottke will be joined by saxophonist Dave Karr. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Guthrie, $38-$43.) Bream

Long, tall Marcia Ball tore it up at the State Fair bandshell this year with her brand of New Orleans boogie-woogie, blues and soul. She is promoting the high-energy, highly recommended "Roadside Attractions," her first collection featuring all Ball originals. "The Party's Still Going On," the album's highlight, should get people dancing in the aisles. (7 p.m. Tue., Hopkins Center for the Arts, $28.) Bream

From the desert of California, Kyuss made stoner-metal cool again in the '90s before splintering into a variety of projects, including Queens of the Stone Age. With co-leader Josh Homme's involvement, singer/guitarist John Garcia has revived and renamed the band Kyuss Lives! Ex-QOTSA bassist Nick Oliveri -- who made news this summer with a SWAT team standoff after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend (hate it when that happens!) -- couldn't make the European tour but is expected to be in the lineup here. However the Kyuss pieces fall together, Texas openers the Sword are always a reliable face-melting experience. Black Cobra also plays. (8 p.m. Wed., First Avenue. $25.) Riemenschneider

A few years off did Clap Your Hands Say Yeah -- one of the original music-blogger poster bands -- a world of good. Following frontman Alec Ounsworth's rootsier solo album last year, the NYC/Philly quintet revived its old, manic chemistry while adding a bold level of sophistication on its third disc, "Hysterical." Layered keyboards, suave vocals, poppier hooks, you name it, the guys pull it all off -- and pulled off quite a comeback, too. (9 p.m. Thu., Varsity Theater. $17-$19.) Riemenschneider

Orquesta Sabroson, the first big-band salsa group in the Twin Cities in the late 1970s, is having a reunion. Various players went on to work with Prince, Aretha Franklin, Nachito Herrera, Latin Sounds, Salsa del Soul and Mary Jane Alm. Bring your dancing shoes for an evening of salsa, merengue and cumbia. (9 p.m. Fri., Faces on Mears Park, 380 Jackson St., St. Paul. $10.) Bream

WORLD

African desert refugee band Tinariwen makes its welcome annual visit. Its soulful new CD, "Tassili," is a satisfying acoustic set, with discreet guest appearances by Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, plus members of TV on the Radio and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Opening is Swiss singer/songwriter Sophie Hunger, making her Twin Cities debut. (8 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center. $30.) Tom Surowicz

ROOTS

Fans of roots-rockin' music can get the weekend off to a great start with a no-cover, pass-the-pitcher co-bill. Randy Weeks, home from Texas to eat a little turkey and cranberries with outstate Minnesota relatives, is a terrific songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by Lucinda Williams, Teddy Morgan and the Lonesome Strangers. Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers are longtime local favorites who have a new CD to showcase, "Merry Come Up." (10 p.m. Fri., 331 Club, no cover.) Surowicz

The Tex Pistols aren't from the Lone Star State, don't pack anything but gear, and have nothing to do with punk or even cowpunk. But you have to love their name -- and their experience in so many diverse combos (Daisy Dillman Band, Mary Jane Alm Band, Judd, et al.). They're pulling out all the stops for a downtown jazz club show, adding guest singers Pamela McNeill and Aimee Fischer -- dubbed "The Pistolettes" -- plus the Hornheads, those savvy veterans of sundry tours with Prince. (8 p.m. Sat., Dakota, $10.) Surowicz

JAZZ