Variations. This was the first "part" of the show that was released. The story goes that Andrew Lloyd Webber lost a bet to his brother Julian, and had to write this piece for him to play. Whatever the case, it is some really fantastic music. It is one of my absolute favourite "background CDs", and it made me fall even more in love with the cello than I was before! My copy of this CD is even signed by Julian Lloyd Webber, since I saw him perform with the National Arts Centre Orchestra a few years ago. :-)

Original London Cast. This recording contains both parts of the show - Tell Me on a Sunday and the Variations. Marti Webb plays the English girl, and she is fantastic. Her version of the title song was the first I heard, and I really love it. I enjoy the song Last Man in My Life, and some of the other music that was cut as well. However, I listened to this one after owning the Broadway CD for quite a while, so it always takes me off guard when some of the lines are changed. :-)

Original Broadway Cast. Bernadette Peters is *fabulous* on this recording. This is only the "Tell Me on a Sunday" portion of the show, but it is definitely worth getting. Unexpected Song, which replaced Last Man in My Life, is one of my favourite pieces of Lloyd Webber music ever (it was originally part of the Variations). But the biggest draw is definitely Bernadette's sweet and funny portrayal of Emma. I can relate to her more than I can to Marti's version, although some of the story changes help with that too. I think if I had to pick a favourite version, this would be it.

New London Cast. This is a "modernized" version of the story, complete with references to "Friends", and emailing home. I have to say I don't feel the story works quite as well this way, because with so much instant connection anywhere in the world, you just don't feel as far away from the world you left behind. However, there are some fun results of this updating, such as the "Speed Dating" song. In general, the story's been changed so much it's almost like a new show, and there is lots of new music and changes to the existing score as well. You definitely don't have to be a fan of the show to enjoy this, and if you are, it's even more interesting to hear. Denise Van Outen does a great job.