Hey Man,
About the barre chords. You gotta have em. The position you put your thumb in is very important. This will allow you to get "over-the -top and down onto the strings. The thumb will be at an angle toward the top of the guitar and rather close to the downside edge of the guitar neck. Try it. Move around until you find "your spot." It's a matter of squezzing with your fingers and thumb. You can work some many chords off the barre chord. Minors, 7th, 6th, minor 7ths, and so forth. You gotta have it. Good luck --Ken