Reed’s tour, in support of his latest album, The Raven, heads out at the end of April with two shows in New York City before hitting Europe for the month of May. He’s back in the States starting June 3.

More dates are expected to be announced for the North American leg.

During Reed’s two NYC preview shows, he’s expected to play everything from Velvet Underground favorites to new pieces from The Raven. The intimate evenings of words and music – with Fernando Saunders (bass), Jane Scarpantoni (cello) and Antony (singer) backing – will also feature lesser-known songs as well. Possibly, this will be the format for the full tour to follow.

The Raven is a musical interpretation of the work of American poet and novelist, Edgar Allen Poe. The album, which was released earlier this year in both single and double disc formats, features guest spots by David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and others, along with readings by Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi and Amanda Plummer.

Coming out in June is a compilation, NYC Man: The Ultimate Lou Reed Collection, that runs the gamut of Reed’s career – from the Velvet Underground right on up to The Raven, although not necessarily in that order.