Elvis Costello [ tickets ], who is focusing his early 2006 touring efforts on a symphonic trek to support his new, orchestral-concert album "My Flame Burns Blue," will switch gears to back a second new release later in the year.

Beginning in June, most of Costello's dates will feature his regular backing group, The Imposters, along with Allen Toussaint [ tickets ] with his New Orleans Horn Section.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Costello and New Orleans musician Toussaint collaborated on a new album titled "The River in Reverse," which is due in stores on June 6. The album includes new and old compositions by Toussaint, as well as several songs co-written by Toussaint and Costello. Musicians featured on the project include The Imposters, as well as Toussaint's horn section and guitarist. Joe Henry produced the set (Aimee Mann, Susan Tedeschi).

The initial recording sessions for the album took place in Los Angeles in late November, and sessions wrapped up early this year in New Orleans. According to Costello's publicist, the recording of the album marked the first major sessions to take place in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.

"My Flame Burns Blue," which Costello issued in February, is a concert album recorded at the Hague with the Metropole Orchestra that features orchestral performances of Costello staples like "Almost Blue," "Clubland" and "Watching the Detectives," along with a Charles Mingus composition and a Billy Strayhorn song with Costello's lyrics.

During his symphonic shows, which run through May, Costello's performances open with a suite of songs from his recent orchestral album, "Il Songo." Following an intermission, Costello, Steve Nieve (former keyboardist of Costello's band The Attractions) and the local orchestra will return to perform songs that appear on "My Flame Burns Blue," as well as other material from Costello's catalog.