After a respite from touring of well over a year, singer-songwriter James Taylor [ tickets ] is preparing to return to the summer amphitheater circuit.

Taylor's camp has set shows in 10 cities, most of which will take place in June and July. Additional dates are expected, but could not be confirmed at press time.

Taylor was one of the top draws on the shed circuit during the '90s, but he has curtailed his touring schedule over the years. Taylor booked a limited number of North American shows in the summer of 1999, then ended the year on a two-month symphonic tour of more intimate venues. He did not tour in 2000.

According to a recent Rolling Stone report, a new album is due from Taylor in May. The set will be produced by Russ Titelman (Eric Clapton, Bee Gees, Paul Simon), who worked with Taylor on his 1975 release "Gorilla" and 1976's "In the Pocket."

The most recent release from Taylor was last year's "Greatest Hits Volume 2," which spanned the artist's work on Columbia Records from 1977 to 1997.

The folk-pop of Taylor saw its heyday during the '70s. He scored his only No. 1 hit with the Carole King-penned track "You've Got a Friend," but he has recorded a long list of radio staples over the years, including "Fire and Rain" and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)." He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.

On his new album "Reptile," Eric Clapton covers Taylor's 1972 song "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight."