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Four Moments

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Four Moments
Studio album by
Sebastian Hardie
ReleasedAugust 1975
RecordedEMI studios, Sydney, Australia
GenreRock/progressive/symphonic
Length39:48
LabelPolydor/Mercury
ProducerJon English
Sebastian Hardie chronology
Four Moments
(1975) 		Windchase
(1976)
Singles from Four Moments
  1. "Rosanna"
    Released: August 1975

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]

Details

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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

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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

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Songwriters according to Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).[3]

  1. "Four Moments" (Mario Millo, Toivo Pilt, Alex Plavsic, Peter Plavsic) – 20:41
    1. "Glories Shall Be Released" (Millo) – 6:42
    2. "Dawn of Our Sun" (Millo) – 5:05
    3. "Journey Through Our Dreams" (Pilt, A. Plavsic, P. Plavsic, Millo) – 6:43
    4. "Everything is Real" (Millo) – 2:11
  2. "Rosanna" (Millo) – 6:02
  3. "Openings" (Millo, Pilt, A. Plavsic, P. Plavsic) – 13:03
  4. "Day After Day" (Millo) – 5:18 (Bonus track on Japanese CD Release Avalon MICY-1115 1999)


Personnel

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Sebastian Hardie members

Additional musicians

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

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Chart (1975) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 12

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[8] Gold 20,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b c McFarlane, Ian (1999). Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop (doc). Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ a b "Mario Millo interview". ProgressoR. 2002-05-21. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  5. ^ Alan Howe. "Flawless: 52 of the best albums you'll ever hear". The Australian.
  6. ^ "Cashbox Magazine" (PDF). Billboard. 29 November 1975. p. 54. Retrieved 12 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Six New Mercury LPs Set for February" (PDF). Cash Box. 21 February 1976. p. 40. Retrieved 21 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
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