Nellie McKay's disputed album rears its "Head"

NEW YORK (Billboard) - More than nine months after its originally scheduled release via Columbia Records,

Nellie McKay's second album, "Pretty Little Head," will finally arrive October 31 on her own label.

McKay voluntarily left Columbia in late December, reportedly after both parties reached an impasse over the length of the project. McKay insisted the label release her 23-song, 65-minute version, while Columbia sent out promotional copies of a 16-song, 48-minute album, which was reviewed by several music magazines.

The upcoming release, on McKay's Hungry Mouse label, will be spread over two discs, and will include a 44-page color booklet. It will be marketed and manufactured by indie label spinART Records, which has previously worked with the likes of Richard Thompson and

Ron Sexsmith.

spinART co-founder Jeff Price told Billboard.com he had been courting McKay since early this year.

"We were eventually able to create an arrangement that would satiate (Columbia parent) Sony BMG, Nellie McKay and spinART," he said. "It took nine months to sort it out."

McKay, who spent the spring starring in a Broadway revival of "The Threepenny Opera," has three shows on her schedule in the next week. She will play September 28 in San Francisco and again in the city two days later as part of World Vegetarian Day. Also on tap is an October 4 animal rescue benefit in New York alongside the Beastie Boys' Adrock.

Reuters/Billboard