Doctor Who: Original Television Soundtrack (Series 3) - Various Artists

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	emotional, unique, cheap
Disadvantages:	/

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I was uploading my CDs onto iTunes (months after I had planned to!). My CDs are arranged in piles relating to their categories, and I picked up the 'Billie Piper/Doctor Who' pile, ready to upload the Series One and Two album. Though before I came to it, I stumbled across the Series 3 soundtrack album. I completely forgot I had received it nearly a year ago for my birthday! I could not recall most of the tracks on it as I scanned my eyes down the list on the back, so I decided to pop it on and listen to it there and then, ready to discover its magic all over again...

Doctor Who is a family sci-fi show which first aired way back in the 1960s, and then returned in 2005 with Chris Eccleston playing our 9th Doctor. But who is the Doctor? He's a Time Lord from Planet Gallifrey (which now does not exist after being destroyed in the Time War between the Daleks and the Time Lords!). He travels around the universe in his blue box known as the Tardis (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) which resembles a 1950s police public call box. He sometimes travels alone when he's off facing danger to steer off the evil creatures of the world, but usually he travels with a companion. Eccleston arrived soon with Billie Piper by his side as young and care-free Rose Tyler. At the end of Series One the Doctor regenerated into our 10th, played by the gorgeous David Tennant, Piper remaining. Over the next series their relationship grew into something very special and sadly at the end they were separated (the daleks causing yet more damage), and Series Three began with the Doctor setting out alone. Though he was not alone for long, as he soon met Martha Jones, a trainee doctor played by Freema Agyeman, and together they saw us through Series Three.

The music in Doctor Who plays an important role in building up suspense and creating the perfect atmosphere that goes hand in hand with our experience. I loved the Series One and Two soundtrack so could not wait for the Series Three one to be released (so why I forgot I had it I'll never know!). For one thing, it looked quite fascinating! On the front, bursting towards us, is Tennant and Agyeman, with a blazing fire behind them. This looks very tense, especially with the deep black edges. Turing over you will see a huge list of tracks to the side of the Tardis, all twenty eight of them written in a little white font. Opening up the case, and pulling out the little booklet, there is a little introduction about Doctor Who, followed by a paragraph or two explaining each of the songs. There are also a few pictures in here to break the pages up, including one very fine photo of Tennant (!).

Right, cat's fed, dishes are done, the cup of tea is made...now I am prepared for a very long sit down with twenty eight Doctor Who tracks!. With that, it was time to relax and enjoy the music!

Track One ? All The Strange Creatures (Trailer Music) ? 4:08
This piece of music starts off quite slow, and gradually getting faster, building up the suspense. When the powerful, strong beat kicks in, the accent on certain notes, it is unbelievably phenomenal. This music was originally made to appear in episode Gridlock, but it leaked out and was used for the trailer music for series three. I must say, it is quite a daunting and intriguing piece to lure you in if you have never watched the show before!
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Track Two ? Martha's Theme ? 3:43
Each important character gets their own theme tune, something that will make you think of them and feel for them. Martha was, indeed, an amazing character and deserved every bit of her own song. Her theme starts off quite different to the others. It is a lot more eerie, but is still very slow and emotional, enough to reduce even the toughest to tears (so imagine what it does for me?!). It maintains this tone throughout the song, and it is a fair length too. It first was heard in Smith and Jones, the first episode, when Martha is just realising the mysteries behind this strange man known as the Doctor, and is 'sang' by Melanie Pappenheim. It really is a beautiful track. All I ask you to do is press play and tie your hands together so you are unable to change the track. It's torture!
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Track Three ? Drowning Dry ? 1:55
Straight away this track starts off with tension, and before long the eerie slashes of knife attacks and trouble fill the air. You don't know which way to turn, the atmosphere is so incredibly threatening with this fast paced piece. It comes from The Shakespeare Code, one of my favourite episodes involving witch-like creates the Carrionites. It is quite short in length, but is in no way short of suspense!
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Track Four ? The Carrionites Swarm ? 3:24
Another piece for the Carrionites, and again it starts off quick paced, but this time a lot less daunting and more adventurous. The tempo remains the same throughout, though somehow amazingly suspense is still build and the chill down my spine grows so. I can just picture the swarm flying around the Globe Theatre at such a threatening speed, it's unreal!
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Track Five ? Gridlock Cassinis ? 1:18
Unusually, this track sounds quite cheerful, with the happy tinkering from the piano keys, with a hint of investigation and discovery. The notes are short and snappy, blended in to the drone-like backing. This comes from one of my favourite episodes from the series, Gridlock, which despite its horrific ending, I would have to say is one of the more 'colourful' episodes.

Track Six ? Boe ? 3:44
Looking at the title, I just knew this was going to be difficult to listen to. The Face of Boe was an old friend of the Doctor, whom we met in Series One, and saw again in Series Two and Three. When we meet him in series three, in episode Gridlock, there is something there that we can tell he will not be with us for much longer. Sadly in the end he does pass, and this is the beautifully emotional song to see him out. It is so sorrowful, but definitely an amazing dedication for him.
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Track Seven ? Evolution of the Daleks ? 1:54
Wow, that was powerful! The second this song starts, you are blasted away by its powerful sound (and just after Boe, it's quite a shock!). It sounds as if there are words, and in a sense there is, but it is the language of the Daleks. It's almost as if they're singing a curse. This piece comes from episode Evolution of the Daleks, and in the book we're told that the words are a secret -we're not to write asking what they're saying. Like I would...(!)
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Track Eight ? My Angel Put The Devil In Me ? 3:09
This is one of the only tracks which has proper vocals in it. It starts off very cheerful, and thankfully remains like it throughout! It comes from Daleks in Manhattan, and is performed by Yamit Mamo, but features Miranda Raison in the episode. I can just picture her on the stage, dressed in sequins and jazz, performing this very energetic and entertaining cabaret-style piece! ?My bad, bad angel...you put the devil in me!?
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Track Nine ? Mr Smith and Joan ? 2:06
This track starts of very gentle and slow, like many of the others on the CD. It remains like this throughout, and thankfully is not too long as it is a very emotional and heart-aching track. It comes from episode Human Nature, where the Doctor has to give up his Time Lord essence and become a human for a bit to save the planet. Though he falls in love with Nurse Joan Redfern, who is the matron at the boys' private school during the War. Seeing the Doctor's heart break when Martha tells him he is a Time Lord, and explains everything to him is unreal. Tennant's acting talent shines through, and this beautifully emotional piece is played, each note catching his tears as they fall.
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Track Ten ? Only Martha Knows ? 2:32
When a track starts with whistling over the backing it is definitely going to lure you in! It sounds like quite a cheerful track, but listening to the whole track it seems to be packed with so much more emotion and meaning. It comes from Human Nature/Family of Blood, where Martha is in charge of the Time Lord essence in the stopwatch. It is a very unique piece and definitely a success.
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Track Eleven ? Smith's Choice ? 1:48
This is yet another option from Human Nature/Family of Blood. Straight away it is very tense and suspense is built right up. We can almost feel all the thoughts whizzing around John Smith's mind as he tries to piece together everything about him apparently becoming a time lord, and whether he should open that stopwatch or not...By the end of the track, the sharp staccato notes inform us that a decision has been made. Go for it!
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Track Twelve ? Just Scarecrows To War ? 1:31
Now we look at those two same episodes, but from the point of view from the enemy. This track seems quite light and airy for relating to the scarecrows marching through the field to battle, but it soon picks up speed. It's strength shows a sense of adventure which is captured in the little boys battling against them, and the challenge of it all. It's quite a delicate piece indeed!
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Track Thirteen ? Miss Joan Redfern ? 1:52
Again, we have yet another track from the same two episodes! Though this time we can explore the emotions portrayed in Nurse Redfern's character. Watching the episode I am concentrating primarily on Tennant, and of course his acting. Though listening to this soft and gentle track allows me to focus on Redfern, and how she must have felt to find out her love is not as she thought. This definitely tugs at the heart strings, and helps us to understand the character better.
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Track Fourteen ? The Dream Of Normal Death ? 1:56
If you have not seen Family of Nature or Human Blood by now, then after this track you are bound to fully understand the episode anyway, as this is the fifth track from the duo. This targets John Smith's emotions about wanting to be normal and live a normal life, which he begins to dream of once he comes to realisation that he is in fact the Doctor. It is a very beautiful and moving piece, very light and delicate. The violin solos are heavenly, and my heart is sent out to John Smith, even though I do want the Doctor back!
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Track Fifteen ? The Doctor Forever ? 4:19
Before series 3 began, there was a special Christmas episode, called the Runaway Bride, which starred Catherine Tate as Donna. This piece then I thought was dedicated to Donna, thought I found out that it appeared in nearly every episode of series 3 in some way which I had not realised (the first three notes also appear in Martha's Theme, apparently implying closeness). It is quite an gentle piece it start with, though half way through it does change to be a bit more fast paced and adventurous, reflecting upon both sides of the Doctor. Now I listen to it more, I can hear parts of it from other tracks in the series. How clever!
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Track Sixteen ? Blink ? 2:56
This is the track that is associated with the episode by the same name, and is, at the start, soft and gentle piece despite the episode being very tense and fast progressing. It's main sound is played on the bassoon which creates a lovely sound. Soon the track picks up its pace as other instruments begin to come in and the atmosphere from the episode is recreated.
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Track Seventeen ? The Runaway Bride ? 4:19
This is another piece which is from the Runaway Bride, and this is the track which can be associated with Donna back then, though of course the styles have changed since she was in series 4 throughout. This track is quite paced, which is appropriate since it was heard during the car chase. It is quite an energetic track, but daunting at the same time! There are a few bars in the middle which I recognise from that 'ultimate track', it all makes sense now!
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Track Eighteen ? After The Chase ? 1:27
After the chase has finished, things calm down as Donna comes face to face with the Doctor properly, and this is shown in this more gentle and mellow track. It is not a heart aching piece, but it is very soft. It's pace stays the same throughout and it is quite nice to listen to, very soothing.
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Track Nineteen ? The Futurekind ? 1:14
After that nice minute or so of relaxation, it is time to get on our toes with this energetic and action-packed piece from Utopia, one of the final three episodes, when they land at the end of the universe and are faced with ferocious looking 'humans'. There is not a calm moment in this amazing track, which I feel introduces the chaotic happenings soon to follow.
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Track Twenty ? Yana ? 0:55
This is the shortest track on the entire CD, but is one of my favourites! It is a riff from the trailer track, and appears at the very end, with flashes of the main cast's face. It is incredibly powerful! very tense and gripping, short but phenomenal!
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Track Twenty One ? The Master Vainglorious ? 3:22
The Master is that apparent Time Lord we thought did not exist with the Doctor being the last, and this is one of the tracks that allow us to think of him! It is quite a disturbed track, it does not flow well but that is what gives it such power. Apparently many heard 'the Ma-ster' in it, as I am told in the little booklet, and now I can hear it too! It is actually quite unusual!
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Track Twenty Two - Martha's Quest ? 3:20
In the final episodes Martha travels around the countries telling the people stories of the Doctor to save him. Although the track is quite demanding and gives that sense of quest, it is also quite sorrowful as it is this quest that has the Doctor's name on it. If Martha did not succeed he may not live. It is a horrible yet amazing piece.
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Track Twenty Three- This is Gallifrey: Our Child, Our Home ? 3:18
Gallifrey is a very touchy topic for the Doctor as it releases a lot of emotion and memories in him. This track is heard several times in the episode, building up to the Doctor's meet with the Master, a possible fellow time lord, as he reminisces with himself about his home planet and its tragic loss. He feels he has no family, which brigs out a lot of emotion in him and is carried across to us.
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Track Twenty Four ? Martha Triumphant ? 2:50
This track is heard when Martha parts with the Doctor, an addition to her own theme. It is quite emotional as they say a then-farewell, the tears forming in the back of my eyes as the song slowly progresses to the departure. And then come the floods of tears as the final bars sound out...
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Track Twenty Five- Donna's Theme ? 3:15
This piece was used as the foundations for creating Donna's theme for series 4. In my opinion it doesn't sound alike but it is still a good track! It is a lot livelier than the usual themes and gives us a sense of Donna's bubbly and adventurous personality. It is not as emotional as the others, but is still quite soft and mellow.
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Track Twenty Six ? The Stowaway ? 3:36
Wow, this has to be the happiest track so far! It starts off amazing, almost like a cross between Highland music and the Irish jig music. Then those rare vocals begin, again sung by Yamit Mamo. This piece comes from Voyage of the Damned, which was the Christmas special episode after Series 3, starring Kylie Minogue. This is not as good as the Christmas song sung by Neil Hannon from 2005, but it is still amazing in every which way!
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Track Twenty Seven ? The Master Tape ? 1:55
Man I do hate the Master, but this track I do not! It can be heard through the last couple of episodes, and although is not as recognised as other songs in them, it is still amazing! As time goes on, the track gets faster and faster until you feel it is going to explode! It is very daunting and builds so much suspense, with random notes and musical instruments dotted in all over, that the world may truly just end!
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Track Twenty Eight ? Abide With Me ? 2:29
All we are told about this track is that it is from the end of Gridlock. There are choir-like vocals in this song, which gives us that heavenly atmosphere around us as we imagine Boe drifting off. It is so sorrowful and heart aching, especially since Martha has just questioned the Doctor about Gallifrey. It is a song to mourn the loss of a dear friend and a home planet. The song just stops, no fading out or anything. Twenty eight tracks of Who-ness and we end in tears.
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With so many tracks you would think I would be fed up by now, but I am far from it. Each track was amazing and unique, not one a disappointment. They were all performed by BBC Wales Orchestra, who deserve much more recognition for their work than they do. The songs were composed by Murray Gold, who has done yet another amazing job.

If I had to choose between this one or the Series One and Two soundtrack CD I don't think I could do it. Okay the first has both Billie and Tennant connections, my two favourites, but music wise both are full of wonder. It is clear that I loved it, but would you like it? Naturally it is targeted at Doctor Who fans, but you do not have to be an admirer of the show to enjoy it. As there is such variety in the tracks there is bound to be something that you can listen to at any time of the day to suit any mood, and some very good songs to lift your spirits too!

The CD is available in most good music stores such as HMV, and Amazon too. It is priced at around £12, which is not bad at all! I think I would pay double that, easily, for something so fantastic, so it is truly a bargain! If you are a fan of Doctor Who, or simply want to be taken on a journey of wonder and emotion then this is the way to go!

© Amy 2009

(I only realised just now that the Doctor Who theme tune is not included...how bizarre! You can find that on the first album though!)