Singer-songwriter Richard Thompson [ tickets ] will embark on a U.S. tour--sandwiched between European appearances--beginning with an Aug. 4 date in Amagansett, NY.

The tour--supporting Thompson's new album, "Front Parlour Ballads," due in stores Aug. 9--will canvas Eastern states before hopping across the country for a three-night stand in Saratoga, CA, starting Nov. 29. Additional dates are expected.

Thompson has also slated a May 11, 2006 appearance in Los Angeles.

"Front Parlour Ballads" is Thompson's first solo-acoustic effort since 1981's "Strict Tempo!" It follows 2003's "The Old Kit Bag," recorded with a full band.

For the prolific Thompson, "Front Parlour Ballads" is just the beginning of a typically busy year who will also release two DVDs of live performances--"1000 Years of Popular Music" and "Austin City Limits" (the latter accompanied by a separate audio CD release)--and an as-yet-untitled, five-CD box set consisting of mostly unreleased material.

A three-volume songbook consisting of all of Thompson's songs (including those written with seminal folk-rockers Fairport Convention) is also planned for release later this year, according to Thompson's website. Martin Allcock, formerly of Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull, is heading up the project.

When asked about the flurry of recent product, according to his website, Thompson quipped, "I'm sure we can work out some easy payment plan for the fans."