Marianne Faithfull ♦ Monday, Dec. 9

A memorable episode of Absolutely Fabulous typecast her as God, and who are we to argue? She’s certainly got the voice for the part—a ravaged, commanding rasp that evokes a stubbed-out Gitane’s last stubborn wisp of smoke in the gutters of Montmartre. As mod aristocracy, her credentials are impeccable: She was Mick Jagger’s muse and Keith Richards’ lover, she worked with Godard and Kenneth Anger, and she made one of the wildest entrances in movie history in the 1968 psychedelic wonder Girl on a Motorcycle. Any time her legend starts to overshadow her résumé, though, just rake the shards of her 1980 Broken English LP through your consciousness: It says something that the daughter of a baroness could invest John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” with even more bile than its author. Her new album Kissin Time finds Faithfull in 21st-century chanteuse mode, filling custom-fitted songs by Beck, Billy Corgan and Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker with exquisite world-weariness; the record’s statement of purpose is called “Sliding Through Life on Charm,” and she does. Advance word from other cities on this tour is rapturous: Expect anything from “As Tears Go By” (duh) to a scarring “Why’d Ya Do It,” delivered with a cabaret poise seldom seen outside The Blue Angel. The show, one of Faithfull’s few U.S. dates, starts 8 p.m. at the Belcourt; call 846-3150 for ticket information.

—J.R.

This week’s picks by Martin Brady, David Cantwell, Chris Davis, Paul Griffith, Julie Hale, Heather Johnson, Jonathan Marx, Noel Murray, Margaret Renkl, Jim Ridley, Marcel Smith, Angela Wibking and Ron Wynn.

Thursday, 5th

The Mighty Rime A Chicago transplant and former member of Christie Front Drive, Kerry McDonald kicks off a short Midwest tour with a Springwater show—the first for his new project The Mighty Rime. The band’s untitled debut is a solid, unpretentious listen, covering a lot of stylistic ground in under 35 minutes while forming a distinctive sound informed by the likes of Hüsker Dü, Built to Spill and The Beach Boys.

—C.D.

Women Artists United Against Hunger Here’s a chance to contribute to a worthy cause and catch some interesting local pop and rock singers. All three of the headliners—Jessica Speltz, Chakra Bleu and Lynette Vantreese—have released strong records in the past few months, and proceeds from the show will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Prior to the women’s 9 p.m. set at 3rd & Lindsley is a 6 p.m. Rage Against Hunger show featuring The Guilty Pleasures.

—R.W.

Friday, 6th

Imagine No Handguns Benefit Here’s hoping this annual show—which celebrates the memory and music of John Lennon—also raises awareness that availability is only part of the rampant gun violence problem in this country. As Lennon no doubt understood, most of the blame should be placed on the culture of fear that grips America—and that government, media and big business promote for profit. The lineup for this year’s benefit is as strong as ever, featuring Tim O’Brien, Rosie Flores, Dave Olney, Amy Rigby, David Mead and others. John Sieger’s excellent house band also deserves mention; in addition to regulars Bill Lloyd and Steve Allen, the handpicked group will include drummer Steve Ebe, bassist Michael Rhodes and keyboardist John Deaderick. Proceeds from the show at 12th & Porter will benefit The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

—P.G.

Guy Clark/Rodney Crowell Clark’s new album The Dark is in stores; Crowell’s first for the T-Bone Burnett/Coen Bros. label DMZ comes out in February. Here’s hoping we hear songs from both when the standard-bearing troubadours perform with Homer Deever & The Highwater Boys 6:30 p.m. at Green’s Grocery in Leiper’s Fork. The $100 tickets benefit the Julia Spears Foundation, which supports research for hepatitis C. Ambrosia caters the evening’s dinner. For information, call 790-2096.

—J.R.

Gail Davies Band For the time being, Davies’ career has found its ideal bookends in the music of Webb Pierce. Her first chart appearance (in 1978) was with a cover of Pierce’s “No Love Have I”; earlier this year, she produced and contributed to Caught in the Webb, a various-artists set that’s as strong and varied musically as tribute albums get these days. Davies will perform plenty of Pierce, as well as her own lively hits from the early ’80s, at The Station Inn.

—D.C.

Paul Thorn He’s the son of a Pentecostal minister, and his new album Mission Temple Fireworks Stand proves the fruit didn’t fall far from the tree. But there’s a depth to Thorn that transcends the usual rock-artist-believer warnings about Babylon and the specter of a wasted life there. It’s hard to say whether the warmth of his voice gets you first or the boot-on-hardwood beat, and the lyrics haunt long after both have faded. Whether he’s singing about the difference between real religion and slick fakery or about the hypocrisy of marriage when it’s just for social acceptance, Thorn tempers his social message with wit and laugh-aloud cleverness. Who knew moral instruction could be so damn much fun? Thorn plays at 3rd & Lindsley.