Four Moments | ||||
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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 | ||||
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Singles from Four Moments | ||||
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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 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]
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]
Songwriters according to Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).[3]
Sebastian Hardie members
Additional musicians
Recording details
Art work
Chart (1975) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] | 12 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[8] | Gold | 20,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |