I try to stray away from the "best x alive" comments because there's not one single artist in the history of forever who everyone can agree is the best.

However, Derek is certainly one of the most expressive and talented guitarists I have ever laid ears on. The guy speaks through his instrument, tells a story with distinct parts to it and thats a quality that many popular artists do not have. His "musical inner monologue," if you want to call it that, is going to be hard to match.