Early 2006 is turning out to be a busy time for Elvis Costello [ tickets ], who now has 13 dates scheduled for his upcoming symphonic tour and two new albums scheduled for release.

New additions to Costello's previously announced symphonic tour include three shows in Hawaii and a stop in Austin, TX.

During the outing, Costello will collaborate with a local symphony for each concert, which will 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 Costello's forthcoming live album, "My Flame Burns Blue," as well as other material from Costello's catalog.

Due in stores on Feb. 28, "My Flame Burns Blue" 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, according to Costello's publicist.

"This record may explain what I've been doing during the last twelve years when I haven't had an electric guitar in my hands," Costello writes in the album's liner notes. "This recording captures a very joyful evening at the North Sea Jazz Festival and collects together songs and arrangements that have been developed over the last decade."

Meanwhile, Costello is expected to issue "The River in Reverse," a collaboration with New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, in May. The initial recording sessions for the album took place in Los Angeles in late November, and sessions recently wrapped up 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.

"The River in Reverse" features new and old compositions by Toussaint, as well as several songs co-written by Toussaint and Costello. Musicians featured on the project include Costello's band The Imposters, as well as Toussaint's horn section and guitarist. Joe Henry produced the set (Aimee Mann, Susan Tedeschi).