Four Moments is the debut studio album by the Australian symphonic rock band Sebastian Hardie and was released in August 1975 by Polydor Records.[1] It was their most commercially successful release. The single from the album was the instrumental "Rosanna", which peaked at #55 on the National singles chart.[2] The title track takes up side one of the original vinyl LP release and is a suite of four parts. All tracks were written by lead vocalist / lead guitarist Mario Millo either on his own or with fellow band members Toivo Pilt, Alex Plavsic and Peter Plavsic.[3] The distinctive logo, which would feature on future Sebastian Hardie releases, was designed by Larraine Hall (see infobox at right). The album was produced by former band member Jon English.[1]
| Four Moments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 1975 | |||
| Recorded | EMI studios, Sydney, Australia | |||
| Genre | Rock/progressive/symphonic | |||
| Length | 39:48 | |||
| Label | Polydor/Mercury | |||
| Producer | Jon English | |||
| Sebastian Hardie chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Four Moments | ||||
| ||||
Details edit
Four Moments features dramatic arrangements, seamlessly flowing with its impeccable musicianship displaying influences of European progressive rock bands Genesis, King Crimson, Focus and Yes.[1] Millo, in a 2002 interview, reflected on the creation of the album:
"I began conceiving the various melodic phrases over a period of time and became excited by the idea of writing and ultimately performing an orchestral style piece. I knew I was on to something special and I wanted the world hear it. Sebastian Hardie was the perfect band for this [...] At rehearsals we then took the ideas and began to assemble them, it wasn't long before we were ready to perform what was to become the 'Four Moments' album."[4]
— Mario Millo, 2002-05-21
According to Millo: "Glories Shall Be Released" was partly inspired by a boyhood friend's drug experiences - his distorted sense of reality and subsequent suicide, "Rosanna" was named for Millo's older sister who was an emotional support, and "Openings" evolved from the band's jamming.[4]
Reception edit
The Australian said, "Australians were resistant to prog rock and never really took to Mario Millo's brilliant bands – Sebastian Hardie and, later, Windchase. The outstanding Four Moments (produced by Jon English) and its symphonic instrumental highlight, "Rosanna", scraped the charts and disappeared."[5]
At the 1975 Australian Record Awards, the album won Best Australian-Designed Cover.[6]
Track listing edit
Songwriters according to Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).[3]
- "Four Moments" (Mario Millo, Toivo Pilt, Alex Plavsic, Peter Plavsic) – 20:41
- "Glories Shall Be Released" (Millo) – 6:42
- "Dawn of Our Sun" (Millo) – 5:05
- "Journey Through Our Dreams" (Pilt, A. Plavsic, P. Plavsic, Millo) – 6:43
- "Everything is Real" (Millo) – 2:11
- "Rosanna" (Millo) – 6:02
- "Openings" (Millo, Pilt, A. Plavsic, P. Plavsic) – 13:03
- "Day After Day" (Millo) – 5:18 (Bonus track on Japanese CD Release Avalon MICY-1115 1999)
Personnel edit
Sebastian Hardie members
- Mario Millo – vocals, lead guitar, mandolin
- Toivo Pilt – keyboards (Hammond organ, piano, Mellotron, Moog)
- Peter Plavsic – bass guitar
- Alex Plavsic – drums, percussion
Additional musicians
- Greg Bushell – congas, bells, tambourine
- Bob Payne – tambourine on "Journey Through Our Dreams"
Recording details
- Arranger: Sebastian Hardie
- Producer: Jon English
- Recording and mixing engineer: Richard Lush at EMI Studios, Sydney
Art work
- Symbol design: Larraine Hall
- Photography: David Miller
Charts edit
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] | 12 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[8] | Gold | 20,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ a b c McFarlane, Ian (1999). Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop (doc). Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
- ^ a b "Australasian Performing Right Association". APRA. Archived from the original on 2008-05-05. Retrieved 2008-07-26. Note: requires user to input song title e.g. FOUR MOMENTS
- ^ a b "Mario Millo interview". ProgressoR. 2002-05-21. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
- ^ Alan Howe. "Flawless: 52 of the best albums you'll ever hear". The Australian.
- ^ "Cashbox Magazine" (PDF). Billboard. 29 November 1975. p. 54. Retrieved 12 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 267. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Six New Mercury LPs Set for February" (PDF). Cash Box. 21 February 1976. p. 40. Retrieved 21 November 2021 – via World Radio History.