Originally titled simply Faith Pillow, this album was released on vinyl in 1981. It was recorded during two consecutive weekend performances at Orphans, a live-music venue on Chicago's North Lincoln Avenue. Faith Pillow was one of the most popular headliners in the exciting Chicago music scene of the late '70s and early '80s. By the mid-'80s, the scene had died. The great Chicago musicians moved on. Orphans became a jock bar.
The original vinyl, a small release with only local distribution, became a cult classic in Chicago. Somehow, a copy made its way to Tokyo, where it was given an enthusiastic review. As a result, Celeste Records of Tokyo rereleased the album on CD in 2002.
Faith Pillow Live 1981 has Tom Taylor on piano and synthesizer, Richard Curtis on guitar, Paul Merar on bass, and Jim Hines on drums.
- Shady Lady (Faith Pillow)
- Winston (Faith Pillow)
- Natural Woman (C. King, G. Goffin, J. Wexler)
- Sanity (Faith Pillow)
- Love Me Right (Faith Pillow)
- Songbird (Jesse Colin Young)
- Wave (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
- Blackbird (J. Lennon, P. McCartney)