Like his multi-platinum 1978 album Stardust , The Nearness of You sees Nelson tackling selections from the "Great American Songbook" again. " Stardust really just knocked me out," says jazz producer Tommy LiPuma, who corralled guests ranging from Norah Jones (for "Baby, It's Cold Outside") and Diana Krall. Excellent jazz session players like pianist Joe Sample and bassist Christian McBride support Nelson for most of the tracks, while the country icon's nylon-string guitar and Mickey Raphael's harmonica add a bit of a Texas drawl to the intimate "dinner-club" atmosphere.