I would love some suggestions on great acoustic...


guitar recordings. I am talking about both solo acoustic and possibly voice added. I like flowing and melodic and am less inclined to listen to aggressive styles. Thanks much.
128x128grannyring
You didn't specify a genre, so this list is a little far-ranging, but they're all marvelous.

Earl Klugh (Solo Guitar and Handpicked are good choices)
Laurence Juber (take your pick, Guitarist is good)
Joe Pass (Songs for Ellen)
Henry Mancini -Pink Guitar (various artists, will give you another dozen guitarists to explore)
Antonio Foriconi (Touch Wood, Meet Me in London or Acoustic Mania)
Groovemasters...about a dozen volumes in this series of acoustics guitarists playing duets
Carlos Barbosa-Lima and Sharon Isbin...Rhapsody in Blue/West Side Story (simply superb). Barbosa-Lima has some terrific solo albums as well (Impressions and Music of the Americas come to mind)
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (take your pick, I like Spin)
Acoustic Alchemy
Tony Rice (Native American and Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot)
Christopher Parkening (Parkening Plays Bach or Simple Gifts are great, Jubilation is an undiscovered treasure)

boy, there are tons more, depending on what types of music you enjoy. Happy hunting!
You can go so many different ways.

Tommy Emmanuel's playing on Center Stage (a live album) may be a little flashy, but Good Lord that man can play a guitar. If you're looking for dazzling technique in a pop format, this is as good a place to start as any.

John Renbourne's The Hermit is another dazzler, although it's a hybrid of pop and baroque styles. Renbourne's playing is subtler, but he's got monster chops, too.

A new release to consider is Acoustic Classics by Richard Thompson. Some of the playing may be more aggressive than you've expressed an interest in, but Yikes! this is a great record.

Another thing to consider is the harmonic side of the equation. Standard tuning lends (although it doesn't necessarily limit) itself to standard harmonies. Once you exit that world, things change. Richie Havens, Joni Mitchell, and Lindsey Buckingham are IMO all virtuoso acoustic players who explore alternate tunings to great effect. You'd probably want to go track by track to find more melodic solo selections, but it's worth the effort.

For sure, check out "Time Precious Time" by Buckingham. I think it's actually played on a Telecaster, but it's a fingerpicked piece that feels acoustic. The tuning is bizarre and his chording is unlike anything I've heard elsewhere.

BTW, per several recommendations above, I'd also suggest Joe Pass for a jazz option, but I'd go to "Virtuoso" which is more a collection of standards.