Lou Reed plans 'intimate' North American production

Singer-songwriter Lou Reed has firmed up more than a dozen North American tour dates for June to back his new Edgar Allan Poe-inspired album, "The Raven," which he released in January.

According to Reed's official website, the New York-based artist's set list will include some old Velvet Underground material, and will span his solo career through "The Raven." He also plans to play some of his lesser-known songs.

Reed's band for the shows--described as "an intimate evening of words and music"--will include bassist Fernando Saunders, cellist Jane Scarpantoni, and singer Antony.

Prior to his June dates, Reed will warm up with two April concerts in New York and then embark on a European tour.

"The Raven," is Reed's interpretation of the works of Edgar Allan Poe. It was released in one- and two-CD versions: "the grand presentation, which contains everything," Reed said in a statement, "and then the smaller, pared down version, either for those who don't want to listen to two hours of it, or who want to try it out before committing to the two hours."

In addition to bandmates Saunders, Mike Rathke and Tony Smith, "The Raven" features guest artists Laurie Anderson (who is Reed's girlfriend), Elizabeth Ashley, David Bowie, Steve Buscemi, Ornette Coleman, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Willem Dafoe and Kate & Anna McGarrigle.

A new Lou Reed compilation titled "NYC Man: The Ultimate Lou Reed Collection" is scheduled for release in June.

Reed recently reworked his classic "Walk on the Wild Side" with producer 7 Aurelius (Alicia Keys, Ja Rule) into a track dubbed "Walk on the Wild Side (Georgie Joins the Army)."

The song, which is streaming at Reed's website, includes the new verse: "Georgie went to join the army / earn some money to keep the family out of harm's way / now he's in the desert looking out for gas / he never dreamed of kickin' no Iraqi ass."