Need recommendations.. Solo acoustic guitar CDs

Ralph Towner, Gene Bertoncini, Jason Vieux. Anything by the first two and a very special CD, "Images of Metheny" by Jason Vieux. Vieux is a classical guitarist but clearly has a special affinity for Pat Metheny, whom you already know.

Most anything by Tommy Emmanuel. Chet Atkins proclaimed him best guitar player. He's self taught... living out in nowhere in Australia, and started copying old surf guitar artists by ear. The Center Stage album has rave reviews on Amazon.

Virtuoso is unbelievable playing but the sound on the acoustic tracks is lacking. An ES-175 was not designed for its acoustic sound. Again, the playing is without equal.

I know, you are interested in solo guitar. But....

Sharon Isbin/Carlos Barbosa-lima Rhapsody in Blue/West Side Story. Gorgeous.

Check out the Groovemasters series on Solid Air, a dozen or so albums, each pairing two excellent guitarists... For example, Vol 1 pairs Laurence Juber and Preston Reed.

The California Guitar Trio...try Whitewater or Masterworks.

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet...one of my favorites is Guitar Heroes, but their catalog is very good.

Tommy Emmanuel's solo works are jaw-dropping, but don't overlook his duet albums with Martin Taylor, Jim Nichols, and Frank Vignola (that one is Vol 11 of Groovemasters).

Staying in the solo guitar realm, good recommendations for Doyle Dykes, Tommy Emmanuel. Also check out Martin Taylor (jazz), Pat Donohue (excellent house guitarist on Prairie Home Companion), off the top of my head.

Lots of good calls already, but I'll throw two new names into the ring:

Bert Jansch and John Renbourn

They played a couple of acoustic guitars together as Bert and John, each had a long solo career, and, together they formed the heart of Pentangle (a British folk band). Jansch is often cited in British '60's rock n roll circles as one of the most influential guitarists of that era. (Both Page and Clapton have ID'd Jansch as a major influence). Renbourn is also a major talent and might be a more impressive picker than Jansch - IMO, it's six of one.

On a separate note, my main guy, Lindsey Buckingham, just released a live album of his recent solo tour called "One Man Show". About two thirds of it is solo acoustic guitar and the playing is first rate. The other third is electric lead over looped rhythm and is pretty cool in its own right.