Four Moments

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 Sebastian Hardie
Released	August 1975
Recorded	EMI studios, Sydney, Australia
Genre	Rock/progressive/symphonic
Length	39:48
Label	Polydor/Mercury
Producer	Jon English
Sebastian Hardie chronology
Four Moments (1975) Windchase (1976)
Singles from Four Moments
"Rosanna" Released: August 1975

Details

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

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

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

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

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

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[8]	Gold	20,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.