JETHRO Tull return to Cardiff next month on their first ever acoustic tour. So does this mean foot-stomping, flute-playing, veteran frontman Ian Anderson is mellowing in line with their musical approach? Not a bit of it. DANIEL LOMBARD caught up with the fiery Scot and discovered even at the age of 59, he's lost none of his fighting spirit DESPITE approaching his 40th year as a rock star, Ian Anderson's quest for musical perfection goes on.

On stage, he has never been afraid to let rip as a singer, bellowing inspired, spiky lyrics into the microphone. His wild-eyed flute-playing, a typically quirky addition to Jethro Tull's musical soup, is equally manic.

Of course, he has always railed against social injustice - check out the classic albums Aqualung (1971) and Thick As A Brick (1972) for some very strong opinions on religion and society.

But it's pleasing to note that the fire in Anderson's belly which drove him to fever pitch is still very much a feature of Jethro Tull's live performance.

"I sing songs that make me angry, the subject matter contains things that make me pretty pissed off, that's why I wrote them," he said, speaking from his snow-bound, Wiltshire home.

"Anger is a condition that can lead to great art."

Off-stage, he proves to be as intelligent and articulate a speaker as he is a songwriter.

During our 20-minute conversation, there seemed to be few subjects on which, given the opportunity, he could not hold forth.

He ruthlessly gunned down targets during the interview with little prompting, namely Lord Coe and Tony Blair for their "arrogance" in bringing the "goddamn Olympic Games" to London.

"It's not going to regenerate anything," he fumed. "The vast majority of sports fans, like me, won't be going anywhere near their expensive stadiums. We'll be watching the games at home. It's a monumental waste of money, not to mention the carbon footprint it will leave."

It's the last point that reveals Anderson's passion for environmentalism.

He even suggested that from an ethical and moral point of view, he should give up touring, although he makes every effort to limit the carbon emissions released as a result of his frequent travels.

"I must be the only musician in the UK who takes the train to every concert I play," he said.

"We've got some pretty serious dilemmas to wrestle with right now. That's why I use public transport, and make sure the hotels I use are right next to the station so I can walk to the gig."

Yet it seems performing is in his blood, and he is showing no signs of hanging up his microphone (and flute).

"There aren't many musicians who give up until they have to, when people don't buy a ticket or don't buy a record - look at Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, even Pavarotti," he said.

"Performing is a challenge. It's never going to be perfect, there's always going to be a line of improvisation that doesn't quite come off. You're always competing with your performance the night before."

Jethro Tull are playing St David's Hall, Cardiff on Saturday, March 24. Tickets are £25.50-£28.50. Book online at www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk or call the box office on 029 2087 8444.