Damp in the Attic, a musical quartet from County Clare, Ireland, has a rock-solid foundation in musical traditions. And the lineup tells: Martin Murray (fiddle, viola, mandolin) was in Mairtin O'Connor's Chatterbox and was a part-timer with the Chieftains; P.J. King (accordion) played with the Tulla Ceili Band and Raise the Rafters; Cyril O'Donoghue (vocals, bouzouki) was a resident musician in Doolin (my favorite place for music in Ireland) and played with Fisherstreet; and Colm Murphy (bodhran) also thumps a drum for supergroup De Dannan.

Despite their solid Irish background, Damp in the Attic's CD I was ... Flyin' It had me convinced they had Scottish roots. Their sound reminded me strongly of early Tannahill Weavers in the days before that Scottish supergroup added bagpipes to the mix. A beautiful version of the tragic Scots song "Glencoe" adds to the feel.

Most of the music is Irish, sure, but there are a few international touches as well -- the American Civil War ballad "Spoon River," a set of French Canadian reels and an English song, "Lovely Willie."

The package is a grand collection of Celtic music, played extremely well and without modern flourishes. This is a traditional sound through and through -- and these days, it's all too rare to hear a band that's willing to rely on tradition without inserting a hint of jazz, a touch of bluegrass or the latest trends in rock or pop. Kudos to Damp in the Attic for sticking to their roots with exceptional skill.